CLEWISTON, FL – Qualifier #3 of the 2025 Roland Martin Marine Center Series presented by HUK is in the books. The Florida heat is up and the Okeechobee bass are doing what they do best — putting the rest of the country to shame. Big bass and big checks is what this series is about all year long.
On June 21, 103 teams set out on Lake Okeechobee with light winds and a high every bit of 90 degrees baking the decks. It’s qualifier #3 of the 2025 season and even though some may think we’re heading into the dog days of summer, the Okeechobee bass didn’t get that memo.
The top bag of the day came in at just under 30-pounds and put the winning check in the hands of Josh Free and Tyler South. With a fair amount of experience in the series and on Lake Okeechobee, they went to work on Saturday.
“We headed up North from the start,” Free said. “And set up on the deepest water we could find and threw a speed worm in good old-faithful June bug. We stuck to two spots all day and just grinded it out. Just basic Florida fishing. Nothing special.”
It turned out to be something special. Their hard day of work resulted in a total of 29.58 pounds, earning them the winning check for $5,000..
With a little over a pound behind the leaders, the team of Bradley MacQueen and Kail Stevens brought 28.47 pounds to the stage for second place a check for $2,200.
Rounding out the top three was the familiar team of Brandon McMillan and Chris Keeley. Their 28.43 pounds gave them the 3rd place finish and a payday of $1,400.
As the highest paying team tournament trail in Florida, the payouts continued deep into the field.
Along with their winning check, Free and South also collected $150 in Bruiser Bucks for the Mega Bag of the event and $250 as the highest finisher to cross the stage in HUK GEAR. With the biggest bass of the event, U.S. Sugar awarded the team of McMillan and Kelley $500. 2nd Big Bass of 8.73 pounds belonged to MacQueen and Stevens earning them $100 Gambler Bucks. The highest finishing Mercury owner earned Kail Stevens an additional $250. Chris Kelley collected $250 as the highest finishing Gilbert Chevrolet owner. Coming in as the highest Lady Angler, Sharon Harris took home a new pair of Bajio Sunglasses. As the highest youth angler, Brycen Moriatry also collected a pair of Bajio Sunglasses. And winning big for going small, the team of Kleman and Powell turned the smallest limit of 4.2 pounds into $300 from AV Inspection.
If you missed it, check out the Gallery and Final Weigh-in to see for yourself. Be sure to join us as we turn up the heat all season long leading up to the Championship where the winning team could possibly take home a record $50,000. So mark your calendar. Our next qualifier is October 4th. We’ll see you then.
