Las Vegas, Nev. – October 13, 2021 – They say there is no substitute for experience. For Major League Fishing pro, Roy Hawk, the 2015 WON Bass U.S. Open Champion and veteran of many national events on the former FLW Tour, Bassmaster Elite Series and now the Bass Pro Tour, experience made all the difference on the final day of the 2021 edition of the West’s most prestigious bass tournament.
Roy Hawk battles from 12th to win on shorten event.
(Photo: WON)
Starting the day in 12th place with a respectable 10.12 pounds, 1.69 pounds behind day one leader Rusty Salewske. Being a veteran of desert events, Hawk proved that consistency is key in the U.S. Open, as 11 pounds a day has historically given an angler a shot to win.
Hawk gave himself that opportunity when he plopped 11.62 pounds on the Callville Bay scales to bring his winning weight to a two-day total of 21.74 pounds. For his victory, Hawk received the keys to a 2021 Bass Cat Cougar FTD powered by a Mercury Pro XS 250 Four Stroke outboard valued at $64,000 and $83,000 in cash prizes.
Both days were tough fishing for Hawk, who spent his entire tournament fishing main lake areas near the Callville Bay – like when he won in 2015. “It was really tough fishing,” said Hawk. We only caught five keepers on the first day and six keepers on day two. We threw jigs and dropshot rigs on main lake points and just managed to scrape up enough to hold on.”
