January 5, 2018
*UPDATE 11:45 a.m. Friday*
In order to concentrate all efforts on the ongoing search for co-angler Nik Kayler, FLW officials have decided to cancel the remaining competition day at the Costa FLW Series tournament on Lake Okeechobee.
At this time, air search and recovery operations are still being conducted under the guidance of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local authorities. FLW is assisting the search operations.
Final tournament standings will be determined by day one of competition.
*UPDATE 1:10 a.m. Friday*
To assist with the ongoing search efforts for co-angler Nik Kayler, Fishing League Worldwide (FLW) has canceled Friday’s day two of competition.
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.
Kisiah was found alive Thursday night around 11 p.m. local time. Kayler has not yet been located and the search remains ongoing.
*UPDATE 11:15 p.m. Thursday*
The boater Bill Kisiah has been located alive. The search is continuing for co-angler Nik Kayler. 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 [Thursday] 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, Fla., and has not yet been located.
The boat belonged to pro William (Bill) Kisiah of Slidell, La., and co-angler Nik Kayler of Apopka, Fla. The boat that the anglers were competing in 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 Kayler has 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 County Sheriff’s Department, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the U.S. Coast Guard. FLW is assisting the search efforts.
FLW will release further information as soon as it becomes available. Updated information will also be posted on the FLW website, flwfishing.com.