Tops 100 Pound Total To Win His Second Elite Series Title
Okeechobee, FLA.- They almost had to bring a truck scale to the stage to weigh in the monster bags that were coming in from the Elite Series pros on Okeechobee this weekend.
Ish Monroe bested the field with a grand total of 108 pounds, 5 ounces—twice coming to the scales with a bag weighing over 30 pounds.
It was no surprise that Okeechobee would yield mosterous bags this weekend as it is a lake known for producing hogs in bunches—but 108 pounds? That is remarkable.
Interestingly enough, the last Elite Series title that Monroe won also required a total over 100 pounds—6 years ago on Lake Amistad he brought 104 pounds and 8 ounces to the scales. The win pushed his career earnings over $1 million.
Ish Monroe’s Winning Combination
Ish used a combination of a dark blue, D-Bomb Bruiser Flash by Missile Baits, rigged on a 1 ounce Medlock jig (which was used to win a tournament on Okeechobee earlier this year), and and a River2Sea Trash Bomb.
He also used 70-pound braid (yes, 70!) and a Daiwa flipping stick he helped to design. He stated that the rod was critical in allowing him to feel light bites, which got progressively lighter as the weekend wore on.
With the win, Ish has earned a spot in the 2013 Bassmaster Classic.