Bass Fishing Apr 2018 | Page 14

A flare and a man-overboard signal were part of a special pre-tournament ceremony conducted by FLW to honor late co-angler Nik Kayler prior to the day-one takeoff of the FLW Tour event at Lake Okeechobee. Kayler, 38, drowned in the lake when he was swept overboard in rough water at the Costa FLW Series Southeastern Division opener a couple of weeks prior. FLW also recognized Kayler and his family with a moment of silence and accepted donations for Nik Kayler memorial wristbands at registration for both the Tour event at Okeechobee and the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Seminole. Funds raised for the Kayler family totaled $8,250. Kayler leaves behind a wife, Kelly, and daughter, Caralee. To make a donation to support the family, visit gofundme.com/nik-kayler. 12 NIK KAYLER HONORED AT FLW TOUR OPENER SIMMS SPONSORS BIG BASS PROGRAM Catching a big bass can earn you a big check if you sign up to fish FLW Tour events as a co-angler this season. Outdoor apparel company Simms Fishing is sponsoring the Simms Big Bass award for all regular-season Tour events. It pays $500 for the biggest bass on the pro side during each of the first two days of competition, and $250 for co-anglers. Get the details about Simms’ line of products at SimmsFishing.com. FLWFISHING.COM I APRIL 2018