Monroe Goes Wire to Wire at Big-O Elite

Reese and Ehrler lead AOY races

by Major League Fishing Communications

OKEECHOBEE, Fla. — Major League Fishing angler Ish Monroe won the 2012 Bassmaster Elite Series event on Lake Okeechobee with a four-day total weight of 108 pounds, 5 ounces, Sunday. It was his second Elite Series win; the first one came six years ago on Lake Amistad, where the Challenge Cup was held last November.

“It was awesome, the most fun I’ve had with a flipping stick,” Monroe said.

The California angler also stated that he fished very relaxed during the event and never really got nervous until Day 3. That was when he brought 18 pounds, 2 ounces to the scales, while competitor Chris Lane tipped the scales to 31 pounds, 3 ounces, cutting Monroe’s lead to only 10 ounces.

Elite Series Angler-of-the-Year Standings (after two events)

1st: Skeet Reese
3rd: Todd Faircloth (substituted for Tim Horton at the Challenge Cup)
8th: Shaw Grigsby
9th: Kevin VanDam
13th: Tommy Biffle
14th: Edwin Evers

Reigning Major League Fishing Challenge Cup champion Brent Ehrler currently leads the FLW Angler-of-the-Year race, while Major League Fishing TV analyst Marty Stone sits in third after one event.