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  • Super User
Posted

Release at 11:25 AM on Wednesday, January 10th.

 

I realize this is unconfirmed but here it is.

 

BREAKING - FLW has received unconfirmed reports that a body has been recovered from Lake Okeechobee. We are working to confirm the details and will share any available news as soon as we can

  • Super User
Posted

I've merged both topics into the original topic.

  • Super User
Posted

It is official the missing man has been found.

  • Super User
Posted

Its over. The hunt for Nik is over, sadly. Not a good ending.

 

FLW is extremely saddened to announce that the body of co-angler Nik Kayler, 38, of Apopka, Florida, has been recovered from Lake Okeechobee.

Kayler’s body was recovered from the lake near Clewiston, Florida, Wednesday morning by a commercial vessel.

Numerous agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), United States Coast Guard, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office were involved in... the search which began Thursday evening.

“Our prayers are with Nik’s family during this time of unimaginable tragedy,” said FLW President of Operations Kathy Fennel. “The loss of his life touches the entire fishing community.”

Further updates will be released as they become available from local authorities investigating the accident.

A GoFundMe campaign has been established benefiting Nik’s wife, Kelly, and daughter, Caralee. To make a contribution, please visit GoFundMe.com/Nik-Kayler.

An official statement from the FWC was released Wednesday afternoon:
On Thursday, January 4, William Kisiah (DOB 4/9/1966) of Slidell, LA and Nicolas Kayler (DOB 1/1/1980) of Apopka, FL departed the C. Scott Driver boat ramp located on the Kissimmee River in Okeechobee, Florida aboard a 21’ Ranger Bass Boat. Preliminary information indicates that the vessel encountered rough waters and struck a wave and Mr. Kayler was ejected from the vessel. Mr. Kisiah made landfall at the Pahokee Marina later that evening when he made contact with Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. Numerous agencies, including the FWC, United States Coast Guard, St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office and Okeechobee Sheriff’s Office were involved in the search for Mr. Kayler.

Mr. Kayler's body was recovered on the morning of January 10 by a commercial vessel in the vicinity of the Clewiston water tower on the lake.

All of the members of the FWC want to express our sincere sympathies to the victims and families of the victims involved in this incident. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. The FWC would like to take this opportunity to remind all boaters enjoying Florida’s beautiful waterways to do so safely. Please wear your life jacket and maintain 360-degree awareness at all times while boating. For boating safety tips, please visit MyFWC.com/boating. This incident is currently under investigation by the FWC.

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  • BassResource.com Administrator
Posted

I'm glad they found him.  My condolences and prayers go out to the friends and family.

 

While I've posted the news article on the site as a matter of protocol, I will not announce it nor broadcast it on our social channels.  I don't feel this is the type of thing for soliciting a click in order to drive up our traffic numbers.  This is also why I have instructed everyone on the BR staff to refrain from sensationalizing the story, and/or contribute to the spread of rumors during the search for Nik.

 

While there are other bass fishing sites that seek to exploit this story in the name of a dollar, I hold myself and the staff accountable to higher standards.  The focus must be on Nik's grieving family, and the bass fishing community, as this affects us all.  Some things are far more important in life, and don't deserve to be brought down by gossip tabloids.

 

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to Nik's family and friends.

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  • Super User
Posted

Glen we understand and appreciate your thoughts on this event.  It is also important for us, that sometimes fish the lake, to understand the details of this accident.  Knowledge is truth!

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