Search Continues, Day Two of Competition Canceled at Costa FLW Series on Lake Okeechobee

To assist with the ongoing search efforts for co-angler Nik Kayler, Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) has canceled Friday’s day two of competition.

WHERE: Costa FLW Series at Lake Okeechobee

C. Scott Driver Park 10100 W. Highway 78 Okeechobee, Fla.

NOTES:                 FLW confirmed Thursday night that a boat with two anglers that was competing in the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee did not check in at the designated weigh-in location Thursday at C. Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Florida.

The boat belonged to pro Bill Kisiah of Slidell, Louisiana. Also in the boat was co-angler Nik Kayler of Apopka, Florida. Kisiah was found alive Thursday night around 11 p.m. local time. Kayler has not yet been located and the search remains ongoing.

Kisiah is a nine-year veteran boater of FLW Series competition, while Kayler had fished in 61 previous FLW events as a co-angler.

At this time, air search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of the Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard. FLW is assisting the search operations.

Tournament competition is expected to resume Saturday, with the full field competing. The tournament winner will be determined based on a two-day weight total.

FLW will continue to release information as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the FLW website, FLWFishing.com.

The boater Bill Kisiah has been located, alive. The search is continuing for co-angler Nik Kaylor. Additional news will be posted as it is available.

Original Statement:

Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) regrets to confirm that a boat with two anglers that was competing today in the Costa FLW Series event on Lake Okeechobee did not check in at the designated weigh-in location at C. Scott Driver Park in Okeechobee, Florida, and has not yet been located.

The boat belonged to pro Bill Kisiah of Slidell, Louisiana, and co-angler Nik Kaylor of Apopka, Florida. The boat that the anglers were competing is a dark-colored Ranger Z521 with a red Evinrude G2 outboard. It is believed that the boaters had planned to travel to the South Bay area from the north end of the lake.

Kisiah is a nine-year veteran boater of FLW Series competition, while Kaylor had fished in 61 previous FLW events as a co-angler.

At this time, search and rescue operations are being conducted under the guidance of the Okeechobee Police Department, with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard assisting. Cell phone providers have been contacted and the search is continuing from the air. FLW is cooperating fully and assisting the investigation in every possible way.

FLW will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the FLW website, www.flwfishing.com.