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. It's the first confirmed local tournament finish inside the past two weeks. The Division 21 two-day season finale returns to the Kissimmee Chain June 6–7.
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
Bass on the Kissimmee Chain are transitioning off the spawn into post-spawn patterns, with hydrilla mats and sand flats on Toho holding fish as water temps climb. Shellcracker and bluegill are still 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 for anglers willing to work for them.
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. Not a home venue, but close enough that the boat traffic and tournament coverage will pull regional attention north for the week.
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 marking the calendar now if you keep a boat on Toho or East Toho — practice traffic will start showing up weeks ahead.
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.
Presented by
Lake levels change. Shorelines reveal things.
Low water, erosion, wake exposure, or a failing seawall — if conditions on your lake are showing up at the property line, Horizon Marine can take a look. Free waterfront assessment, no obligation.
Algae Alert in Apopka; Burn Bans and Watering Restrictions Hold
Apopka issued a blue-green algae alert for Northwest Recreation Pond, and SWFWMD's Phase III water restrictions remain in force through July 1
Read →
Shellcrackers On in Lake Kissimmee; Phase III Restrictions Still in Effect
Quiet tournament week locally; shellcracker bite firing on Lake Kissimmee while Phase III water restrictions remain in force across Polk
Read →
Red Flag Conditions Across the Region; Shad Spawn Still Driving the Bite
Red flag warnings and a quiet tournament week have shifted attention from the leaderboards to the lakeshore
Read →
Quilatan Dominates Harris Chain BFL; Extreme Drought Restrictions Hit Polk County Lakes
Windermere's Dylan Quilatan posts a 34-pound bag to win the BFL on the Harris Chain while Polk County enters extreme drought restrictions through July
Read →
Have a waterfront project in Central Florida?
Free waterfront assessment · License #SCC131154313
(863) 934-6218