May 13, 2026
Gunn Wins AFT Division 21 on Lake Toho; Heavy Hitters Open Saturday on Orange Lake
Matthew Gunn takes the AFT Division 21 on Lake Toho, and the MLF Heavy Hitters field heads to Orange Lake this weekend
Matthew Gunn won the American Bass Anglers AFT Division 21 tournament on Lake Toho on May 2, fishing out of the Kissimmee Chain.
Results
American Fishing Tour Division 21 — Lake Toho (May 2) Matthew Gunn, first place. The event launched on the Kissimmee Chain out of Kissimmee.
On the Water
Shellcracker and bluegill are the strongest panfish story across the region — beds active on Lake Kissimmee into early May, with bluegill staged alongside.
No new FWC report has dropped since last week. Crappie action continues to slow as surface temps rise; deeper grass edges on the Kissimmee Chain are still producing fish.
Coming Up
MLF Bass Pro Tour — Kubota Heavy Hitters, Orange Lake (May 16): The Heavy Hitters event presented by Bass Pro Shops launches on Orange Lake in Marion County.
AFT Division 21 Season Finale — Kissimmee Chain (June 6–7): Two-day finale out of Kissimmee.
MLF Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship — Kissimmee Chain (Sept. 18–20): Confirmed for fall.
Worth Knowing
Polk County reinstated its burn ban last week as drought conditions continue. The ban covers unincorporated Polk plus Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Eagle Lake, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Hillcrest Heights, Lake Alfred, Lake Hamilton, Lakeland, Mulberry, Polk City, and Winter Haven.
SWFWMD's Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage Order remains in effect through July 1, 2026. Outdoor watering restrictions for Polk County Utilities customers haven't changed since the April 3 start date. If you're running irrigation off lake water through a permitted withdrawal, the restrictions still apply.
The Florida Department of Health blue-green algae advisory for Northwest Recreation Pond in Apopka remains active. No new Central Florida advisories were posted this week.
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Gill Takes the Pro Circuit Championship on the Kissimmee Chain; Water Shortage Order Back Before the Board
Drew Gill erased a five-pound deficit with a 31-13 limit to win the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit Championship on the Kissimmee Chain on Sept. 20, and Orlando's Bobby Bakewell finished third
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Red Flag Warnings in Eight Counties; Polk Under Phase III Through July 1
Red flag warnings and a quiet tournament week have shifted attention from the leaderboards to the lakeshore
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Lefebre Wins Heavy Hitters on Orange Lake; Burn Bans Spread Across Central Florida
Dave Lefebre took the MLF Kubota Heavy Hitters title on Orange Lake, and burn bans tightened across Central Florida last week
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FDEP Issues Algae Warning for Lake Okeechobee; Apopka Restoration Passes 10,000 Acres
FDEP has issued an algae bloom warning for Lake Okeechobee, the latest bloom advisory in a season that's already seen alerts north and south
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