(Clewiston, FL) Roland Martin Marine Center is proud to announce Satori Mortgage, as a new sponsor for our Bass Trail.

Located in Celebration, Florida with a branch office in Melbourne Beach, Satori Mortgage is a local mortgage broker that works with over 30 different lenders. They offer loans for first-time homebuyers up to Jumbo Mortgages for Beach Properties.

Local Loan Officer and fellow Angler Danny Otterbacher (NMLS License ID #1382967) works hard to match his clients with the right lender for their situation whether that be getting a better rate than the competition or getting the difficult loan scenarios closed on time. On Satori Mortgage’s local team there is also FLW Co-Angler Spencer Howerton and Rey Garcia. Their team is ready to assist with financing your new home purchase or refinancing to a better rate or payment.

As a team Satori Mortgage has been named Super Mortgage Professionals for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2016 and the America’s Most Honored Professionals award for 2015.

Contact For More

Satori Mortgage
715 Bloom St. Suite 208
Celebration, FL 34747
321-221-7113
www.satorimortgagefl.com

Welcome Ark Rods

We're proud to partner with Ark Rods as "Team Of The Year Sponsor" for the 2017 Roland Martin Marine Center Series. Now the 2017 Team Champions will not only experience the rewards of the highest paying team tournament trail in Florida, but will also have their entries paid for the 2018 season. 

Ark Fishing is owned and operated by Louie Zhang and is headquartered in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Louie’s past experience within the fishing industry along with input from Bassmaster Elite Series Professional Randall Tharp were the building blocks from which this company was formed. Louie’s love for fishing is only matched by his quest to build you the best fishing rod available in the world today.

And be sure to register today for the first Qualifier of the 2017 Season - EVENT 1: MAY 6, 2017.

Gary Milicevic and Trais Drapal - 2016 Champions

CLEWISTON, FL – The 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Championship is a wrap and the legendary Lake Okeechobee big bass hit the stage with some of the top anglers in the region for a share of the $15,000 winner’s check. In the end, it was the team of Gary Milicevic and Travic Drapal taking home the big check.

With conditions out of Clewiston mild with gusty winds, the weather played a part in keeping the approaching spawn in a holding pattern but with the highest paying team trail in Florida ready to put two names on a big check, the big sticks came out to play.

After M.C. Chris Brill announced the final weight, Milicevic and Drapal were crowned the 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series Champions with a two-day total of 41.44 earning the $15,000 winner’s check and the Interstate Batteries Champions Cup.

“Patience was key and working a Gambler Fat Ace slow today at the North End of the lake,” said Milicevic. “I only had five bites today but they were all good bites. Then when the sun came out we switched to Medlock Jigs and picked up one more good one.”

“We had our limit by noon,” said Drapal. “And we had a good feeling when the first one came early at over 7 pounds.”

Patience was also evident in the team’s success this year. “We didn’t place in the money all year until today,” Milicevic admitted. “We waited for the big one.”

Benny Townend and Jay Jastrzemski - 2nd Place

Finishing second was the team of Benny Townend and Jay Jastrzemski. The day-one leaders earned $5,000 with their two-day total of 39.28.

“We left the ramp this morning with a similar game plan as yesterday,” Jastrzemski said. “We ran to the north end and stuck to the same plan and took us until about 2pm to fill out our limit. Then on the last pitch of the day, we hooked a four pounder, swung her into the boat, strapped everything down and made it back for the weigh-in.”

“On the ride back in, we figured it would take about 40 pounds to win,” Townend said. “So we knew we were close.”

Sticking to power fishing for the day one lead, the team switched up to a more finesse style on day two. Making the run to the north end each day paid off for the team.

“Pitching beavers and throwing a fluke were key for us today,” Townend said.

Ron Yentz and Steve Forcell - 3rd Place

With a two-day total of 37.66, the team of Ron Yentz and Steve Forcell finished in third place earning $3,000.

“With the east wind today, we figured the south end was our best bet,” said Yentz. “Throwing Brandon McMillian 4x4 Bass Jigs swim jigs and EZ swimmer trailers was the key in the stained water.”

“Our goal was to go and get our kicker first like yesterday,” Forcell said. “But we started with a five pounder instead of seven like on day one.”

U.S. Sugar Big Bass of day two went to Ronnie Martin with an 8.66 and Tom Littich was the day one big bass leader with 8.17 earing them a U.S. Sugar bonus check of $500 each.

Handing out over $37,000 in money and prizes for the Championship, the 2016 Roland Martin Marine Center Series has plans to continue growing and remaining the highest paying team tournament trail in Florida. With plans already in motion for the 2017 season, just like the legendary bass of Lake Okeechobee, bigger and better is the story here.

Happy Holidays and we’ll see you next season in Clewiston, FL.

> Click here for final results of the 2016 Championship

> View the Gallery of images from the Championship

As the MC of the Roland Martin Marine Center Series, Chris "Peanut" Brill keeps the stage and the anglers loose. His unique style makes the Clewiston events fun for all. We recently sat down with him to get his thoughts on the RMMC Series, interviewing the Great American Fisherman, rats and the injustice of Han Solo.

Q Where did Peanut come from?
CB My father-in-law gave me that back in high school. I fought it for a while but it eventually stuck. Like it or not, it’s here to stay. Some people don’t even know my real name. So thanks to my good ole boy father-in-law, I’m known as Peanut.

Q What do you do for a living when you’re not on stage?
CB I own a pest control business in Ft. Myers called Project Earth Pest Control. We take care of all pests and love it. But it’s endless work. Especially with all the rats here in Florida. I even find them in my livewell that a couple of bass have puked up. When the lake falls and comes back up, you can see them swimming around. Those and the lizards.

Q What’s it like interviewing the Great American Fisherman?
CB It’s really a neat honor. It’s humbling. It’s kind of awe inspiring. I know I have to stay focused but I also want to have fun. So I always try to have something serious to ask but also something fun. He is the Godfather of bass fishing after all and it’s really neat to see him on the stage and on the lake. And I’ll tell you one thing, when it comes to practice and tournament time, Roland Martin is the first one in and last one out. He’s as hardcore as can be. It’s amazing to see.

Q Which do you enjoy more? Fishing or MCing?
CB I’d say it’s 50-50. It’s fun to be a part of such a good tournament and working with people that are so passionate about running it and because it’s so professionally run, it’s so enjoyable. Fishing is always enjoyable. We don’t even practice though. We just show up and fish and it’s all good.

Q What do you think of the Roland Martin Marine Center Series?
CB One of things that make the series so successful is that the group that runs it is angler focused so they’re always approaching it from the angle of what’s best for the angler instead of what’s going to be make more money. With that, everything is better. From the rules to the setup to the payout, that makes a big difference. Then you’ve got the competition level that makes it such a coveted trophy. The money is just more of the icing on the cake but the competition level is amazing. So you’ve got national pros mixing it up with local sticks that really drives people. And that’s why it’s so successful and why it’s going to keep growing.

Q What one thing about you might surprise people?
CB After everything I’ve said on stage, I’m not sure anything I would do would surprise people. But, I am a huge Star Wars fan. My family loves Star Wars. I dress up like a Jedi Knight on a regular basis. Not just Halloween. Regularly. Yeah, we have a pretty fun house, that’s for sure. Life is too short not to have fun. But I’m telling you, I’m highly disappointed that after Disney bought the Star Wars franchise, the first thing they did was kill Han Solo. I just think it is so ridiculous and unfair. If there is anything Donald could do about this now that he’s in office, that should be job one. It’s just… just… so unfair.

Q Any desire to take your talents to BASS or FLW?
CB Honestly, no. I’m all RMMC Series, all the way. Just like Zohan never sold out. Just like the Ghostbusters never sold out. BASS and FLW could offer me whatever they want, but I’m not selling out. I’m all RMMC Series all the way. For life.

Q If you could interview a Lake Okeechobee Bass, what would you ask?
CB What was it like to have Godzilla as a father? Did he train you to be mean and nasty all the time and to crush and annihilate everything? What’s your favorite hangout? Where’s your school of friends? Is there any big bully you want to sell out that we can talk to? Maybe even ask, what kind of accommodations do you like in a livewell? What are your thoughts on Rejuvenate? Like or dislike? Maybe a little ice? Or even on a personal level like what kind of music do you like? Favorite football team? You know, important things. I want to let him know I care. I care about him and his children, his friends — his slime coat. You know, I’d like really like sit down, you know Indian style and really get to know him. I want to let him know that our relationship shouldn’t be just all about business.

Q What are your predictions for the December Championship?
CB 25 pounds a day is what it’s going to take. Plus, there's something about the competition here that makes everyone bring their A-Game. The weather is getting right. The lake is getting right. It’s setting up for the Big Mommas to be feeding up and coming in. I think it’s going to be a total catch-fest.

Q What would you do with your share of the $15,000 Winner’s Check?
CB I would go to Disney World and party like it’s 1999 and spend everything. That’s it. Without question. Take my kids to Disney.

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The Championship for the 2016 Season will be held December 10th & 11th at the Roland Martin Marina. Be sure to join us to see who takes home the $15,000 winner's check. See you in Clewiston.

CLEWISTON, FL - NOV 2016. The qualifying is done and now it's Championship Time. Check the list below for the qualifying teams in the lineup. There will be a Captains Meeting/Dinner (no charge) on Friday December 9th at The Tiki Bar and Grill @6:00pm and is mandatory that one member of the team attend.

RSVP no later than Sunday Dec 4th, 2016 by calling or texting Ramon Iglesias @ 863-599-0460 or Mike Krause @ 863-634-8191

And be sure to register for the Championship on line at our Registration Page.

Also book your rooms at 863-983-3151 as they are filling up fast.

As the highest paying team trail in Florida with 100% Payback, the winners are taking home $15,000.

On December 10 & 11, it's ON!