The FLW Series will visit Lake Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Fla., Jan. 27-30 for the first stop of the Eastern Division circuit. Hosted by the Okeechobee

County Tourism Development Council, the tournament will feature as many as 300 top bass anglers casting for top awards up to $50,000 in the Pro Division and a Ranger 177TR with a 90 horsepower engine in the Co-angler Division.

“Right now the forecast is for temperatures in the 70s for the next week or so, and if that holds up fish are going to go nuts,” said Glenn Browne of

Ocala, who has won more than $499,000 in FLW Outdoors competition.

“Last year it was pretty slow up until the tournament, but the last day of practice and on our off day it got really super nice and warm and the fish

went haywire. I’ve got a feeling that’s what’s going to happen for us this year,” he said.

Browne said anglers will be focusing on flipping mats during the tournament and popular bait choices will include the Gambler BB Cricket or Gambler Ugly

Otter. If water temperatures rise into the upper 50s, Browne said soft plastic jerkbaits such as the Gambler Flapp’n Shad or Reaction Innovations’ Skinny

Dipper may come into play.

Browne said the north end of the lake offers anglers ample opportunities to catch bass in areas such as Henry Creek, Taylor Creek and J&S (near J&S Fish

Camp and Tavern).

However, Browne said a few anglers will make their way south to areas such as Pelican Bay.

Anglers will take off from C. Scott Driver Park located at 10100 W. Hwy. 78 in Okeechobee at 7 a.m. each morning. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday weigh-ins will also be held at C. Scott Driver Park beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday’s final weigh-in will be held at the Gilbert Chevrolet Company located at 3550 Hwy. 441 S. in Okeechobee beginning at 4 p.m.

Fans will be treated to a Family Fun Zone at Gilbert Chevrolet Company prior to Saturday’s weigh-in from noon to 4 p.m. There will be a drawing for a $300

Cabela’s gift card and drawings for rod and reel combos will be held every 30 minutes during the event.

Activities in the Family Fun Zone include a Ranger

boat simulator and assorted fishing-themed games. All activities are free and open to the public.

In FLW Series competition, anglers are also vying for valuable points to qualify for the 2011 Forrest Wood Cup, the world championship of bass fishing.

Coverage of the Lake Okeechobee tournament will be broadcast in high-definition (HD) on VERSUS. “FLW Outdoors” will air May 2 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

“FLW Outdoors,” hosted by Jason Harper, is broadcast to approximately 500 million households worldwide.