Anglers go-go on Lake Toho

With this week's Southern Open #1 beginning Thursday, we take a look at the memorable moments from previous Toho tournaments.

Posted on
Lake Tohopekaliga, better known as Toho, is the Central Florida lake that has been the site of some historic occurrences in B.A.S.S. events over the years, namely big wins and big fish. The Bassmaster Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate series begins there this week, and something as dramatic as the following could happen.
Lake Tohopekaliga, better known as Toho, is the Central Florida lake that has been the site of some historic occurrences in B.A.S.S. events over the years, namely big wins and big fish. The Bassmaster Bass Pro Shops Southern Open presented by Allstate series begins there this week, and something as dramatic as the following could happen.
Just two years ago, Chris Bowes gave Floridians Daniel Lanier Jr. and Rich Howes the news they would be spending one more day on Toho after tying with 47 pounds, 2 ounces in the 2013 Southern Open season opener. B.A.S.S. holds a fish-off for anglers who are tied for first place on the pro side of an Open.
Just two years ago, Chris Bowes gave Floridians Daniel Lanier Jr. and Rich Howes the news they would be spending one more day on Toho after tying with 47 pounds, 2 ounces in the 2013 Southern Open season opener. B.A.S.S. holds a fish-off for anglers who are tied for first place on the pro side of an Open.
Howes won that battle, as well as $10,000 in cash, a Skeeter bass boat, a Yamaha outboard motor and a berth to the 2014 Classic.
Howes won that battle, as well as $10,000 in cash, a Skeeter bass boat, a Yamaha outboard motor and a berth to the 2014 Classic.
Speaking of breakthroughs, Gerald Swindle had 167 B.A.S.S. entries and an Angler of the Year title under his belt before he broke through with his first Bassmaster victory, which came at the first Southern Open in 2011. With his Classic qualification in hand, Swindle followed with a spectacular year on the Elite Series.
Speaking of breakthroughs, Gerald Swindle had 167 B.A.S.S. entries and an Angler of the Year title under his belt before he broke through with his first Bassmaster victory, which came at the first Southern Open in 2011. With his Classic qualification in hand, Swindle followed with a spectacular year on the Elite Series.
Kevin VanDam left his mark on Toho, winning the 2008 Citrus Slam on the Elite Series during a tremendous run. KVD now has seven AOY titles, four Classic wins and eight Elite championships among his record 20 Bassmaster wins.
Kevin VanDam left his mark on Toho, winning the 2008 Citrus Slam on the Elite Series during a tremendous run. KVD now has seven AOY titles, four Classic wins and eight Elite championships among his record 20 Bassmaster wins.
Ben Matsubu gained one of his two Elite victories on Toho in 2007’s Sunshine Showdown, held in September. Matsubu totaled 66-8 to win by 14 pounds.
Ben Matsubu gained one of his two Elite victories on Toho in 2007’s Sunshine Showdown, held in September. Matsubu totaled 66-8 to win by 14 pounds.
Luke Clausen fishes during a stormy day in the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, the second championship tournament held there.
Luke Clausen fishes during a stormy day in the 2006 Bassmaster Classic, the second championship tournament held there.
Clausen finished off a rare wire-to-wire victory at the 36th Classic, and here received the trophy from 2005 winner Kevin VanDam.
Clausen finished off a rare wire-to-wire victory at the 36th Classic, and here received the trophy from 2005 winner Kevin VanDam.
Anglers await the Classic launch in 2006 at Toho, a 22,700-acre natural lake that lies just south of Orlando on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Biologists from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commissions estimate there is one 10-pound bass for every five acres of lake, making Toho a well-known trophy destination.
Anglers await the Classic launch in 2006 at Toho, a 22,700-acre natural lake that lies just south of Orlando on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. Biologists from the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commissions estimate there is one 10-pound bass for every five acres of lake, making Toho a well-known trophy destination.
Jimmy Johnson fishes some of the aquatic vegetation that makes Toho a big fish fishery. There is plenty of maidencane, bulrush, lily pads and hydrilla on the 13 mile by four mile lake that has a maximum depth of 15 feet and averages 5 feet deep.
Jimmy Johnson fishes some of the aquatic vegetation that makes Toho a big fish fishery. There is plenty of maidencane, bulrush, lily pads and hydrilla on the 13 mile by four mile lake that has a maximum depth of 15 feet and averages 5 feet deep.
Takahiro Omori followed his 2004 Classic victory by winning the Florida Bassmaster Tour event on Toho in 2005 with 50-11.
Takahiro Omori followed his 2004 Classic victory by winning the Florida Bassmaster Tour event on Toho in 2005 with 50-11.
The really big doings on Toho occurred in 2001, when Dean Rojas set the single day weight record. Conditions on Jan. 17, 2001, the first day of the Florida Bassmaster Top 150, allowed Rojas to catch 45 pounds, 2 ounces, a mark that stands today.
The really big doings on Toho occurred in 2001, when Dean Rojas set the single day weight record. Conditions on Jan. 17, 2001, the first day of the Florida Bassmaster Top 150, allowed Rojas to catch 45 pounds, 2 ounces, a mark that stands today.
Rojas won the event with 108-12, with Mark Davis taking second at 93-1. Davis caught the second-heaviest bag the next day with these lunkers totaling 41-10. He said he had chances to top Rojas. “I was watching fish weighing 10 to 14 pounds nipping at my bait, but they wouldn't take it. I hung a giant, got her all the way to the boat, and she wrapped around some pad stems and came off.”
Rojas won the event with 108-12, with Mark Davis taking second at 93-1. Davis caught the second-heaviest bag the next day with these lunkers totaling 41-10. He said he had chances to top Rojas. “I was watching fish weighing 10 to 14 pounds nipping at my bait, but they wouldn’t take it. I hung a giant, got her all the way to the boat, and she wrapped around some pad stems and came off.”
Rojas was presented a replica of his catch. He saw the big day coming as fish were just heading to spawning beds in practice the day before. He said it took him four casts to get his first fish in the boat, a 10-13. The other fish weighed 10-0, 9-0, 8-2 and 7-3.
Rojas was presented a replica of his catch. He saw the big day coming as fish were just heading to spawning beds in practice the day before. He said it took him four casts to get his first fish in the boat, a 10-13. The other fish weighed 10-0, 9-0, 8-2 and 7-3.
Other anglers have made their mark on Toho, like a young Tim Horton, who won the 2001 Florida Tour event there with 61-4.
Other anglers have made their mark on Toho, like a young Tim Horton, who won the 2001 Florida Tour event there with 61-4.
Shaw Grigsby has found memories of Toho, including his Florida Top 150 win in 2000.
Shaw Grigsby has found memories of Toho, including his Florida Top 150 win in 2000.
In 1984, Grigsby won the 1984 Red Man All American on Toho. Two years earlier there, Grigsby overslept on his B.A.S.S. Florida Invitational partner and was awakened by him knocking on the motel door. It was none other than Forrest L. Wood.
In 1984, Grigsby won the 1984 Red Man All American on Toho. Two years earlier there, Grigsby overslept on his B.A.S.S. Florida Invitational partner and was awakened by him knocking on the motel door. It was none other than Forrest L. Wood.
Rick Clunn won the first Bassmaster Classic held on Toho in 1977. It was Clunn’s second in his string of four Classic titles.
Rick Clunn won the first Bassmaster Classic held on Toho in 1977. It was Clunn’s second in his string of four Classic titles.
Toho has been the site where big fish can make big dreams come true. While not shown with a big fish, Danny Kirk won his one and only B.A.S.S. event and $100,000 in the Bassmaster Top 150 there in 1999. Who’s next?
Toho has been the site where big fish can make big dreams come true. While not shown with a big fish, Danny Kirk won his one and only B.A.S.S. event and $100,000 in the Bassmaster Top 150 there in 1999. Who’s next?