Florida pro breaks 30-pound mark to take EverStart lead – FLW Outdoors 1-10-12

10.Jan.2013 by Rob Newell

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. – Before the EverStart Southeast Division event on Lake Okeechobee began, many pros agreed on one thing: someone, somewhere would land on a big wave of Big O brutes moving in to spawn and have a magical day that could push the 30-pound mark.

Today, that magical day happened to pro Ben Todd of Pierson, Fla. Todd took off this morning with an empty livewell and returned with a box brimming over with big bass – 31 pounds, 7 ounces worth of bass to be exact.

“I’m still in shock,” said an elated Todd after weighing in. “That’s the biggest bunch of bass I’ve ever caught in my life – not just in a tournament – but ever.”

Todd’s magical day started with a 9-1, his first fish of the day, and the big bass in the Pro Division. He finished a limit and just when he thought he was perfectly happy with his catch, he finished up the day with an 8-1 and then another one around 6.

“When I caught the 8-pounder this afternoon, I was like, this is crazy!” he said. “Then when I caught the 6-pounder, I was like, this is stupid! When it happens, it just happens. I can’t explain it.”

While Todd understandably is hesitant to give up his lure of choice, he did reveal he is catching his bass on an outside reed edge.

“It’s area specific,” Todd said. “I ran to my area, set down and never put the boat on plane again until it was time to go. I think these fish are spawning – I can’t see them, but the way they are biting, I think they’re on beds.”

As for his area, Todd is confident he can catch a decent bag again.

“I’m not saying I can catch that weight again,” he said with laugh. “But I caught about 15 bass today and culled some decent ones, so I feel like there are still plenty of fish in the area.

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