CLEWISTON, FL – It all comes down to this: the 2025 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Championship presented by HUK, December 6-7, 2025 on Lake Okeechobee. It’s the highest-payout team tournament trail in Florida, and with Christmas just a couple of weeks away, that kind of prize money can go a long way toward stuffing some stockings. But there’s something else on the line that can be just as valuable — maybe even more: bragging rights. Earning the title of RMMC Series Champion is a distinction that lasts forever.
For the anglers and teams who continually bring their best against the best on the undisputed GOAT of big-bass arenas, being able to say you topped them all is all that needs to be said.
On day one of the Championship, a fog delay added drama to the already red-lined atmosphere circling the marina in anticipation of getting out there. But even with a shortened day, the best find a way to fill the well.
As anglers crossed the stage after Day One, one familiar team fired a warning shot that pushed the scales into the dirty-30 zone. Jesus Villegas and Roger Gonzalez stepped up and essentially said, “Beat this” — 30.41 pounds.
Day two started with no delay. At 6:45 a.m., they were off and running. They had a full day on Lake Okeechobee to decide who wanted it the most. At 3:00 p.m., the first flights started coming in and lifting some hefty bags onto the scales. But when the final bag was weighed, it was the team of Villegas and Gonzalez that earned bragging rights and the title.
With a two day total of 53.66 pounds, Villegas and Gonzalez collected the top prize of $40,000. But the checks kept coming. As the top finishing team to cross the stage in HUK Gear, they collected $250. As the highest finishing Mercury owner, they earned $250 more. With the second big bass weighing 7.57 on day one, Villegas collected $100 Gambler bucks. And with the mega bag of the tournament, they also collected $150 Bruiser Bucks. Add that all up and it equals HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
In second place was the team Arcuri and Venditto. They made a good run but came up a little short with a two day total of 50.26 pounds that earned them the second place check of $10,000.
Rounding out the top three was the team of Mixon and Turner, who brought in 48.46 pounds over the two-day event and collected the third-place check for $4,500.
As the highest paying team tournament trail in Florida, the payouts continued deep into the field.
With the biggest bass of day one coming in at 7.70 pounds, U.S. Sugar awarded Neil Nix $500. 2nd Big Bass of 7.57 pounds added $100 Gambler Bucks to the Villegas payday. With the biggest bass of day two coming in at 9.51 pounds, U.S. Sugar awarded Ron Veale $500. 2nd Big Bass of 8.45 pounds on day two earned Robert Branagh $100 Gambler Bucks. Justin Morgan collected $250 as the highest finishing Gilbert Chevrolet owner. Coming in as the highest Lady Angler, Stacy Skidmore took home a new pair of Bajio Sunglasses. As the highest finishing youth angler, Aubrey King also collected a pair of Bajio Sunglasses. And winning big for going small, the team of Howard Kleiman and Warren McMillan turned the smallest 2-day limit of 12.84 pounds into $300 from AV Inspection.
And that’s a wrap on the 2025 Season. As always, we want to thank the anglers and the fans that continue to support us and inspire us to keep raising the level of competition and the payouts. Wait until you see what we have in store for 2026. Until then, Happy Holidays and all to you in the New Year!
