Las Vegas, Nev. - September 8, 2014 - The
King of Lake Mead is at it again.
Clifford Pirch, a two-time U.S. Open champion and multiple time top five finisher in the event has once again astounded the followers of the most prestigious bass fishing event in the Western United States.
 |
| Clifford takes control with Mead monster. His 6.49 pounder is his largest Lake Mead bass ever. |
On a day ruled by changing weather conditions that saw high temperatures well below last week's 109 degree heats, Pirch managed to utilize his skills as an angler and his knowledge of the lake to scramble and find the kind of fish that leaves fans and competitors shaking their heads.
Pirch and his AAA partner Ronald Slack Jr. brought
a 15.47-pound limit of bass to the scales that included Pirch's 6.49-pound
largemouth; which was the big fish of the day. The performance put Pirch in the
driver's seat to claim his third U.S. Open victory by nearly four pounds over
Dixon, Calif. pro Brett Leber, who came to the scales with 11.54 pounds.
Pirch said that his game plan suffered an early
demise, and he ran the conditions to improve. "I had a stretch that I
thought I could get a pretty strong limit on first thing, but by one o'clock, I
still only had seven pounds in the boat," he said. "I saw the weather
changing, and the wind and rain picking up and I started moving around more. Within
a couple hours I had caught the big one and two other really good fish that got
me to 15 pounds."
Full Standings
Pirch also said that he had water that he couldn't
fish today because of the conditions. "The water I ran today was all stuff
that I had planned on as my B grade tuff, and maybe it turned out to be a
little better than I had thought," he said. "I've got some other
water that I am planning on running tomorrow and hopefully I will be able to
put it together again tomorrow."
Leber reported using reaction baits and covering a
lot of water, but that he did not have the kind of day he had hoped. "I
had over 13 pounds in practice on Friday and another good day on
Saturday," he said. "I didn't do as well today because the wind
wasn't right for my areas - there was too much on it to do what I wanted to do.
If I get a little bit better conditions tomorrow, I should be able to improve
my weight."
Following Leber in third place in the standings is
longtime Western pro John Morrow from Brea, Calif. with 11.17 pounds, Zack
Elrite from San Jose, Calif. is fourth with 10.84 pounds and Todd Woods from
San Dimas, Calif. rounds out the top five with 10.80 pounds himself.
As stated before, Slack leads the AAA Division with
15.47 pounds, followed by Tom Nokes with 11.54 pounds in second place. Third
place AAA Dale Howard fished with Morrow and had 11.17 pounds, followed by Kirk
Beardsley with 10.84 in fourth place and Dominic Amato in fifth place with
10.80 pounds.
Day two of The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S.
Open takeoff will occur at Callville Bay Marina on the shores of Lake Mead
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday beginning at 5:45AM, with daily weigh-ins
starting at 2:00PM. Following the event's conclusion on Wednesday, a champion
will be crowned at Boulder Station Casino the final evening of the event.
Daily event coverage will begin following
tournament take off with hourly updates at 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM each
day, followed by weigh-in coverage beginning at 2:00PM and finally a 7:00PM
post game show; all show times are Pacific Standard Time and can be viewed at www.wonbass.com.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open
Live Webcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event is also brought to you
by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Bridgford
Foods, Daiwa, Seaguar, Plano Molding, Cousins Tackle, YoZuri, Pro Mar, Eagle
Claw TroKar, Lowrance, St.Croix Rods, Frabill, Okuma, Gary Yamamoto Custom
Baits, Reactor, Zip Baits, Big Hammer, Fishing for Adoption, Global Fish
Mounts, A&M Graphics, Savage Gear and Storm
2014 U.S. Open Day One Standings - Pro Division
Place
|
Name
|
Hometown
|
Big Fish
|
Total
|
1
|
Clifford Pirch
|
Payson AZ
|
6.49
|
15.47
|
2
|
Brett Allen Leber
|
Dixon CA
|
4.03
|
11.54
|
3
|
John Morrow
|
Brea CA
|
3.25
|
11.17
|
4
|
Zachary Elrite
|
San Jose CA
|
3.33
|
10.84
|
5
|
Todd Woods
|
San Dimas CA
|
2.86
|
10.8
|
6
|
Johnny Johnson
|
Lakeside AZ
|
10.17
|
|
7
|
Joe Uribe, Jr.
|
Surprise AZ
|
2.7
|
10.07
|
8
|
Shawn Lee
|
Arroyo Grande CA
|
2.93
|
9.89
|
9
|
Chris Kinley
|
Lake Havasue City AZ
|
3.79
|
9.82
|
10
|
Mark Rauenzahn
|
San Diego CA
|
5.65
|
9.81
|
11
|
Luke Clausen
|
9.78
|
||
12
|
Kona Borja
|
Henderson NV
|
3.69
|
9.75
|
13
|
Jesse Slaton
|
Klamath Falls OR
|
9.69
|
|
14
|
Philip Roesener
|
Parowan UT
|
4.16
|
9.51
|
15
|
Jeffrey Scott Allen
|
Flagstaff AZ
|
3.78
|
9.28
|
16
|
Bill O'Shinn
|
Bakersfield CA
|
3.47
|
9.27
|
17
|
Garrett Howard
|
Riverside CA
|
9.25
|
|
18
|
Guy Savidan
|
Yorba Linda CA
|
9.17
|
|
19
|
Kevin Stewart
|
Elk Grove CA
|
9.16
|
|
20
|
Josh Polfer
|
Nampa ID
|
9
|
|
21
|
Jay Guterding
|
Redding CA
|
8.96
|
|
22
|
Michael McLernon
|
Oceanside CA
|
2.64
|
8.95
|
23
|
Gabe Bolivar
|
Ramona CA
|
8.84
|
|
23
|
Chris Bozarth
|
Henderson NV
|
2.82
|
8.84
|
25
|
Dave Wendrich
|
Elko NV
|
8.78
|
|
26
|
Randy Blaukat
|
Joplin MO
|
8.74
|
|
27
|
Jiggs Benn
|
Myrtle Creek OR
|
8.46
|
|
28
|
Scott Canterbury
|
2.83
|
8.42
|
|
29
|
Douglas Minor
|
Riverside CA
|
8.4
|
|
30
|
Zack Holwerda
|
Phoenix AZ
|
8.37
|
|
31
|
Gary Dobyns
|
Live Oak CA
|
8.36
|
|
32
|
Joseph Raftery
|
Las Vegas NV
|
2.52
|
8.31
|
33
|
Cody Compton
|
Palisade CO
|
8.3
|
|
34
|
Don Iovino
|
Burbank CA
|
8.26
|
|
34
|
Tommy Jonovich
|
Phoenix AZ
|
8.26
|
|
36
|
Cody Meyer
|
Grass Valley CA
|
8.24
|
|
37
|
Bill Brown
|
Grand Junction CO
|
3.16
|
8.23
|
38
|
Pete Marino
|
Moreno Valley CA
|
8.21
|
|
38
|
Gunnar Stanton
|
Boulder City NV
|
8.21
|
|
40
|
Marco Valdez
|
Richland WA
|
8.17
|
|
41
|
Cody Spetz
|
Menifee CA
|
8.12
|
|
42
|
Jamie Cyphers
|
Cedar City UT
|
8.06
|
|
42
|
Wade Strelic
|
El Cajon CA
|
8.06
|
|
44
|
Marvin Barellano
|
Monterey Park CA
|
2.15
|
8.05
|
45
|
Donnie Scroggins
|
Kingman AZ
|
3.12
|
8.03
|
46
|
Jay Yelas
|
Carvallis OR
|
7.97
|
|
47
|
Gary Pinholster
|
Lake Havasu City AZ
|
4.84
|
7.79
|
48
|
Ben Byrd
|
Moab UT
|
7.76
|
|
49
|
Kyle Grover
|
Trabuco Canyon CA
|
2.18
|
7.74
|
49
|
Wade Headrick
|
Herriman UT
|
7.74
|
|
49
|
Travis Richards
|
Henderson NV
|
7.74
|
|
52
|
Ray Arbesu
|
Henderson NV
|
2.79
|
7.7
|
53
|
John Noble
|
Adair Village OR
|
3.68
|
7.67
|
54
|
Andrew Napoleon
|
Mesa AZ
|
7.65
|
|
55
|
Robert Lee
|
Altaville CA
|
7.64
|
|
56
|
Chris Gosselaar
|
Clovis CA
|
3.72
|
7.61
|
57
|
Rich Tauber
|
Camarillo CA
|
7.58
|
|
58
|
Rusty Salewske
|
Alpine CA
|
7.57
|
|
59
|
Steve Molinari
|
Waddell AZ
|
7.51
|
|
60
|
Todd Herman
|
Gilbert AZ
|
7.48
|
|
61
|
Tom Lowery
|
Santee CA
|
2.89
|
7.47
|
62
|
Mike Rennie
|
Pioche NV
|
7.46
|
|
63
|
Paul Hodges
|
Glendale AZ
|
7.44
|
|
63
|
Scott Davis
|
Preston ID
|
7.44
|
|
65
|
Douglas Jones
|
North Las vegas NV
|
1.88
|
7.43
|
66
|
Scott Helleson
|
Whittier CA
|
7.39
|
|
67
|
Tony Lain
|
Menifee CA
|
7.38
|
|
68
|
Matt Shura
|
Gilbert AZ
|
7.37
|
|
69
|
Jason Borofka
|
Salinas CA
|
7.34
|
|
70
|
Gary Freeman
|
Las Vegas NV
|
7.22
|
|
71
|
Brent James
|
St George UT
|
7.21
|
|
72
|
Cody Murray
|
Nampa ID
|
7.14
|
|
73
|
Jon Griffith
|
Mesa AZ
|
7.1
|
|
74
|
Mike Caruso
|
Peoria AZ
|
7.06
|
|
75
|
Jimmy Reese
|
Ukiah CA
|
6.99
|
|
76
|
Mike Brillhart
|
Waddell AZ
|
6.89
|
|
77
|
Stephen Pike
|
Las Vegas NV
|
6.88
|
|
78
|
Daniel Price II
|
San Diego CA
|
6.84
|
|
79
|
Ryan Kjellberg
|
Yucaipa CA
|
6.76
|
|
80
|
Roy Hawk
|
Lake Havasu City AZ
|
6.73
|
|
81
|
Danny Moraga
|
Hesperia CA
|
6.71
|
|
82
|
Tom Leedom
|
Escondido CA
|
6.68
|
|
83
|
Neil Flores
|
Menifee CA
|
6.67
|
|
84
|
John Murray
|
Phoenix AZ
|
6.66
|
|
85
|
Keith Espe
|
Phoenix AZ
|
6.65
|
|
86
|
David Kemper
|
Tempe AZ
|
6.62
|
|
87
|
John Mackey
|
Boulder City NV
|
6.57
|
|
88
|
Josh Rhodes
|
Lake Havasu City AZ
|
6.54
|
|
89
|
Ricky Shabazz
|
Rialto CA
|
6.53
|
|
90
|
William "Billy" Skinner
|
Carlsbad CA
|
6.5
|
|
91
|
Sean Coffey
|
Mesa AZ
|
6.42
|
|
92
|
Jim Moynagh
|
Carver MN
|
6.41
|
|
93
|
Mark Poe
|
Coolidge AZ
|
6.4
|
|
94
|
John Weisfuss
|
Oxnard CA
|
6.39
|
|
95
|
Randy Estrada, M.D.
|
Corona CA
|
6.37
|
|
96
|
Kenichi Tanaka
|
Minamikawachigun
|
6.18
|
|
97
|
Mike Folkestad
|
Villa Park CA
|
6.14
|
|
98
|
Rob Erautt
|
Yucaipa CA
|
6.1
|
|
99
|
Oscar Torrado
|
Mira Loma CA
|
6.05
|
|
100
|
Chris Studinger
|
San Marcos CA
|
6
|
|
101
|
Dick Watson
|
Alta Loma CA
|
3.37
|
5.97
|
102
|
Steven Bowlin
|
Coolidge AZ
|
5.94
|
|
103
|
Adam East
|
San Diego CA
|
5.83
|
|
104
|
Kody "Bucky" Leigh
|
Yuma AZ
|
5.79
|
|
105
|
Kevin Caruso
|
Glendale AZ
|
5.77
|
|
106
|
George Kramer
|
Lake Elsinore CA
|
5.75
|
|
106
|
Clayton Meyer
|
Henderson NV
|
5.75
|
|
108
|
Murray White
|
Glendale AZ
|
5.73
|
|
109
|
Devin McDonald
|
Las Vegas NV
|
5.7
|
|
110
|
Don Gage
|
Grizzly Flats CA
|
5.62
|
|
111
|
Brent Becker
|
Henderson NV
|
5.43
|
|
112
|
Keith Beever
|
Mission Viejo CA
|
5.34
|
|
113
|
Peter Manfrina
|
Lompoc CA
|
5.32
|
|
114
|
Larry Triplett
|
Aurora CO
|
5.12
|
|
115
|
Ken Whalen
|
Lompoc CA
|
5.02
|
|
116
|
Andy Manahl
|
Mesa AZ
|
5.01
|
|
117
|
Don McBride
|
Roosevelt AZ
|
5
|
|
117
|
Jeff Rutt
|
Winchester CA
|
5
|
|
119
|
Vern Ridgway
|
Chandler AZ
|
4.91
|
|
120
|
Shaun Bailey
|
Lake Havasu City AZ
|
4.64
|
|
121
|
Klayton Belden
|
El Cajon CA
|
4.53
|
|
122
|
Steve Pool
|
Weldon CA
|
4.48
|
|
123
|
Keith Ferlanie
|
Henderson NV
|
4.46
|
|
124
|
Raymond Archer
|
Greeley CO
|
4.45
|
|
125
|
Jamie Shaw
|
Coolidge AZ
|
4.44
|
|
126
|
Jim Hawkes
|
Apache Junction AZ
|
4.38
|
|
127
|
Jim Jared
|
Dolan Springs AZ
|
4.22
|
|
128
|
Marco Fenelli
|
San Diego CA
|
4.1
|
|
129
|
Justin Hanold
|
Poway CA
|
4.05
|
|
130
|
Elliott Holsbo
|
Lakeside CA
|
3.93
|
|
131
|
Edward John
|
Tustin CA
|
3.89
|
|
132
|
Mark Lassagne
|
San Ramon CA
|
3.8
|
|
133
|
Brian Carnahan
|
Flagstaff AZ
|
3.47
|
|
134
|
Ernie Stumpf
|
Carrollton TX
|
3.45
|
|
135
|
Rusty Brown
|
Tustin CA
|
3.38
|
|
136
|
Ed Arledge
|
Valley Center CA
|
3.35
|
|
137
|
Dylan Maxon
|
Phoenix AZ
|
3.25
|
|
138
|
Bill Griffith
|
Ventura CA
|
3.24
|
|
139
|
Travis Jewell
|
Sandy UT
|
3.2
|
|
140
|
Fred Krumsiek
|
Glendale AZ
|
3.12
|
|
141
|
Bill Craig
|
Ivins UT
|
1.91
|
3.09
|
142
|
Josh Bertrand
|
Gilbert AZ
|
3.07
|
|
143
|
Mooseok Park
|
3.02
|
||
144
|
Michael Phua
|
Chino CA
|
2.98
|
|
145
|
Anthony Tatzel
|
Kingman AZ
|
2.92
|
|
146
|
Robert Schoessler
|
Henderson NV
|
2.86
|
|
147
|
Bobby Lanham
|
Cave Creek AZ
|
2.85
|
|
148
|
Melvin Williams
|
Chula Vista CA
|
2.6
|
|
149
|
Tony Richards
|
Oceanside CA
|
2.33
|
|
150
|
Neil Campbell
|
Mirrietta CA
|
2.3
|
|
151
|
Kevin Gross
|
Claremont CA
|
2.28
|
|
152
|
Sam Rosefsky
|
2.27
|
||
153
|
Timothy Irwin
|
LaVerne CA
|
2.2
|
|
154
|
Claude Sims
|
Boerne TX
|
2.14
|
|
155
|
Matt Nadeau
|
Grass Valley CA
|
2.08
|
|
156
|
Justin Patti
|
Phoenix AZ
|
1.84
|
|
157
|
Jim Elliott
|
Redding CA
|
1.5
|
|
158
|
Jason Burchfield
|
Las Vegas NV
|
1.11
|
|
158
|
Ron Hammett
|
La Mesa CA
|
1.11
|
|
160
|
Norman Santos
|
Rosamond CA
|
1.06
|
|
161
|
Chris Morris
|
Wingman AZ
|
1.04
|
|
161
|
David Coy
|
Porterville CA
|
0
|
|
161
|
Steve Gibson
|
Las Vegas NV
|
0
|
|
161
|
Billy Hines
|
Vacaville CA
|
0
|
|
161
|
Michael Rigney
|
Janesville CA
|
0
|
|
161
|
Ed Shaver
|
Lake Havasu City AZ
|
0
|
|
161
|
Young "Bradley" Yang
|
0
|
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