An Orlando, Florida native won big this weekend at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin.
Bobby Bakewell landed 13 pounds, 12 ounces on the final day of the competition to earn a comeback victory with a three-day tally of 35-15. He also earned Phoenix Boats Big Bass of the Tournament honors with a 4-10 largemouth.
“I’m going to have to make room on the mantle,” Bakewell said of his victory. “That Classic berth is so sweet. It hasn’t really set in yet. After practice, I was ready to get done with this one. Now, I’m really happy we are done with this one.”
Bobby Bakewell wins the @StCroixRods Bassmaster Open at Lake Martin presented by SEVIIN with a 3️⃣ day total of 35 pounds, 15 ounces! 🏆#bass #bassmaster #BassOpens #BassEQ #champion #bassfishing #lakemartinalabama pic.twitter.com/gvjEQNkroh
— Bassmaster (@bassmaster) October 12, 2024
The angler revealed that the cast that effectively won the competition for him nearly didn’t happen.
“I had almost admitted defeat. I hadn’t got bit in hours. I was going through a little bit of a dry spell and started thinking that I should have gone to the water I had fished before. Then I hooked that giant,” Bakewell said. “It was crazy. I was trying to decide whether to let the boat ram the dock or go for the bass, and I chose the bass. I’m so glad I did, too.”
RELATED: Final St. Croix Bassmaster Open moved to Lake Martin following Hurricane Helene
Bakewell was using a ½-ounce Greenfish Tackle Toad Toter buzz bait sent to him by 44 Tackle at the time of the big cast. He will now be competing in the 2025 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic at Lake Ray Roberts in March.
Alabama’s Josh Butler finished second with a total of 34-2 while Texas pro Dakota Ebare finished third with 32-13. Will Davis Jr, who led the first two days of the tournament, fell to fourth on the final day with a total of 32-11.
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
