Day two started with crisp 42 degree temperatures and a 5-10 mph northern wind keeping the anglers focused and bundled up. We started with a rules review, the National anthem, and the morning prayer. At safe light, 06:40 hours, the anglers departed on their quest for a National Championship bid. After a day of cool breezes and temperatures topping out at 62 degrees, the first wave of anglers returned to display their catches. Twenty-Nine teams brought fish to the scales combining for a day two total weight of 211.29 pounds. The team of Daniel Smith and Ben Smith continued their impressive catch streak going wire to wire taking the tournament’s top prize with a two day total of 35.76 pounds and a berth into the National Championship. Rounding out the top 20% and taking the tournaments remaining berths to the National Championships were the teams of Mike Crump and Kevin Izzi, Donald Fisher and Mike Bruton, Dave Austin and Bryan Clark, Bryan Ellis and Dustin Funk, and James Williams and William Sullivan. The day two big bass recipients were the team of Steve McAdams and Steve McAdams Jr. with a 5.02 pound largemouth. Of the 24 teams entered into the bonus bucks side pot, the day two bonus bucks winners were the team of Daniel Smith and Ben Smith with a day two total weight of 17.06 pounds, while the team of John Brazzell and Josh Davis snagged second place with a day two weight of 15.44 pounds, and the team of Steve McAdams and Steve McAdams Jr landed the third place honors with a day two total of 12.47 pounds. 

In addition to the top 20% of the field, there were four bonus categories that earned berths to the National Championship. The recipients for the top finishing Bass Cat owner berth was the team of Allen “Justin” Bythwood and Patrick Pierce, the recipients of the top finishing Mercury owners berth was the team of James Anderson and Joe McChesney, the recipients of the top finishing Adult/Jr category were the team of Brian Nelson and Austin Nelson, and the recipients of the top finishing Male/Female category was the husband and wife team of Shane and Jani Ness. The tournament landed a total of 232 fish for the event weighing in at 466.14 pounds and all the fish were returned to the lake to be caught another day. 

Overall, the District 12 Championship was a big success with teams from both Florida divisions and two outlying divisions earning their spots in the 2024 National Championships to be held at Lake Murray, South Carolina in April of 2025. God is good and the Holy Spirit moved freely throughout the weekend touching the lives of anglers and spectators alike during the event. Anglers left the event feeling challenged, excited for the next phase, renewed, and invigorated meeting new members and sharing fish tales from the weekend. We can’t wait to see how the National Championships unfolds and for the kickoff of the 2025 season. Stay tuned…. 

Fishers of Men would like to thank all of our National Sponsors for their support and encourage you to take a look at their products:  Bass Cat Boats, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Mercury, Fenwick, Realtree Fishing, FireFly Outdoor & Marine, Power-Pole, T&H Marine, X2Power, Frogg Toggs, & Jacobs Glass.

In addition, Fishers of Men is grateful for our host community. Thanks to Lindsey McBride from the Greater Orlando Sports Commission for making our group feel welcome.