BY JODY ONLY
LAKEPORT – The scales have closed at the 2020 WON BASS California Open. The final day’s highly-anticipated clash of Clear Lake titans saw the 2018 U.S. Open winner, Bub Tosh, of Modesto, and two-time California Open champion (2016, 2017) Wayne Breazeale, of Kelseyville, square off with less than a pound separation and six hours of fishing ahead of them.
To say the day was epic for Tosh, is too much of an understatement.
With AAA partner Dave Kiesgen, from Peoria, Ariz., Tosh put together a five-fish limit at 32.72 – an average of 6 ½-pounds each. It was the biggest stringer of the event – the only one to break the 30-pound range. The awe-striking sack rocketed Tosh and Kiesgen both to the top of their respective leaderboards.
Tosh crushed the 160 other pro competitors, widening his gap over the runner-up position by more than 11-pounds.
“Who’s the king,” exclaimed Tosh as the excitement of his win began to sink in.
Kiesgen climbed from his Day Two spot at 99th to 1st with the addition of the Day Three weight.
“I’ve never really punched before and today Bub put on a clinic for me,” said Kiesgen. “He really is an amazing puncher. The best part was when I caught a seven. We kept looking at her and we just couldn’t believe the size of her head.”
The seven that Kiesgen referred to was a 7.29, that he put in the box for the shared-weight event. The AAA win put $6K in his pocket.
For his efforts, Tosh took home the WON BASS pro prize package valued at $67,500, including a Bass Cat Sabre FTD with a Mercury 150 ProXS and a cash payout.
“Maybe even more than the prize, I wanted to beat Wayne,” said Tosh. “He is widely regarded as the best at Clear Lake and I wanted to beat him. I love you Wayne, but I wanted to beat YOU at Clear Lake.”
Breazeale faced his most challenging day of the three-day tournament, bringing in 17.84 for his five.
“It was Bub’s time,” said Breazeale.
When the winner was announced, the fierce competitors shook hands and parted ways; but we all know, the rivals Tosh and Breazeale will meet again next year, when the Clear Lake crown will once again be up for grabs.
Stayed tuned to the WON BASS Facebook page for future events. The next on the schedule is the 2020 U. S. Open at Lake Mead October 12 – 14, 2020.
