Two Florida anglers battled it out for the top spot on the first day of the Bassmasters Elite Tournament on Lake Okeechobee.

Bernie Schulz, of Gainesville, topped the leaderboard on Thursday with five bass totaling 28 pounds, 11 ounces.

Scott  Martin, of Clewiston, was in second place, with 5 bass totaling 25 pounds, 11 ounces.

The tournament pits 104 of the top bass anglers in the world against big bass and one another as they battle for the coveted championship trophy, $100,000 first-place prize and a total purse of more than $771,000. 

Launch and weigh-in will be at C. Scott Driver Park, 10100 Hwy. 78 W, Okeechobee, FL 34974.

On Friday, Feb. 17, the tournament field will launch at 7:30 a.m. and weigh-in will be at 3:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Feb. 18, the top 50 anglers will launch at 7:30 a.m.  Weigh-in will be at 3:30 p.m.

The ET Bassmaster Outdoors Expo  will open at noon on Saturday, Feb. 18.  The expo will include a Kid's Zone, food, local vendors, live entertainment and free demo rides from Nitro Ranger/Mercury and Skeeter/Yamaha.  Show a military or first responder ID to a staff person at the Bassmaster merchandise booth for a free hat.

For more coverage and live broadcasts of the weigh-ins go online to https://www.bassmaster.com/elite/.