Day One Leader Kyle Grover in Second place with 41.88 pounds
BY DAN O’SULLIVAN
Laughlin – For the second day in a row, the conditions for the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury were hot and slick. Temperatures pushing the 100-degree mark with very little breeze meant that anglers would likely find conditions similar to the first day when the field presented nine limits that eclipsed 20 pounds and nearly 30 limits that topped 18 pounds.
Kyle Grover, the defending U.S. Open Champion set the pace on day one with 22.15 pounds and Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bryant Smith opened his tournament with 22.14 pounds. The two pacesetters employed different approaches with Grover covering water and Smith working over one area for most of the day.
What effect the conditions, and the heavy fishing pressure would have on the anglers’ ability to get consistent bites would have to be seen. What would also be a topic of discussion was if the leaders, who were both in the first flight on the opening day, would be able to get into their areas, or did they have enough real estate to adjust with being in the last flight on day two.
The answer to those questions is that both of the top anglers would perform well, but that they would flop positions. Smith leapt into the lead by posting a 21.70-pound limit on the day to bring his total weight to 43.84 pounds while Grover connected with a 19.73-pound creel to fall just less than two pounds behind his Northern California competitor at a total weigh of 41.88 pounds.
Arkansas Bass Pro Tour angler Spencer Shuffield, competing in his third U.S. Open caught 21.25 pounds to leap from 11th place after day one into third place with 40.99 pounds. Josh Bertrand, who won the 2022 U.S. Open caught a 19.45-pound limit to bring the Arizona pro’s two-day total to 40.16 pounds, good for fourth place. Julius Mazy, who won the Lake Mead Open last month vaulted from 29th place to fifth place when the Arizona pro crushed a 22.18-pound limit, the heaviest of the event thus far, to bring his total weight to 40.03 pounds.
Bryant said that he targeted isolated targets using his Lowrance Active Target II and a drop shot presentation. “I was able to keep using the program I did yesterday and catch about the same weight I did yesterday,” he said. “With the slick conditions, I decided that finesse fishing would be the best approach and I’m using my Lew’s Custom Lite Reel and Alpha Angler DSR spinning rod, 6-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon and a drop shot Strike King Half Shell; it’s been my go-to smallmouth setup for a long tie; I’m going with my confidence approach.”
Bryant reported catching 20 keepers today and feels optimistic about tomorrow. “I feel like I have enough water to have the right moves tomorrow, and I have a backup plan if the winds pick up, so I’m looking forward to the final day,” he said. “I’m entering the final day in the lead of the U.S. open and as a Western angler, winning this tournament is something I’ve dreamt of for a long time.”
Grover reported having a better overall day of fish catching than he did on day one but found his quality harder to locate. “I probably culled three 17-pound limits today but was only able to bring two four pounders to the scales,” he said. “I did cost my partner a big one this morning, I tied a new leader on his spinning gear, and he hooked a big one and broke it off, so I tied a bad knot. It’s my fault, but that probably cost me a pound by the end of the day.”
He said he feels relaxed going into the final day, even with the possibility of repeating as champion. “I know the pressure of going out in the lead after last year so I will go out there tomorrow with less pressure on me tomorrow,” he said. “I feel pretty comfortable because I am using both finesse and power fishing patterns, so whatever the wind does, I feel like I’ll be okay.”
In the AAA division, Matt Moler partnered with his pro Cody Steckel to bring 20.90 pounds to the scale to take the lead with 39.72 pounds. Nick Dulleck moved to second place with 39.46 pounds after his 21.25 pounds with Shuffield. Chuck Kavros posted 20.12 pounds to finish third with a total weight of 39.08 pounds. Day One AAA Leader Martin DeHaven moved to fourth place by bringing 16.39 pounds with a total weight of 38.54 pounds while Zack Hayes rounded out the top five with 35.64 pounds after bringing 18.64 pounds to the scales.
The top 10 standings in each division are below – to see full results go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/2024-us-open-pairings-and-results
Day Two Pro Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Fish | B/B | Day 1 | Day 2 | Total |
| 1 | Bryant Smith | Roseville CA | 10-9 | 5.59 | 22.14 | 21.70 | 43.84 |
| 2 | Kyle Grover | Rancho Santa Margarita CA | 10-10 | 4.99 | 22.15 | 19.73 | 41.88 |
| 3 | Spencer Shuffield | Hot Springs AR | 10-10 | 19.74 | 21.25 | 40.99 | |
| 4 | Josh Bertrand | San Tan Valley AZ | 10-10 | 20.71 | 19.45 | 40.16 | |
| 5 | Julius Mazy | Phoenix AZ | 10-10 | 4.89 | 17.85 | 22.18 | 40.03 |
| 6 | Cody Steckel | Las Vegas NV | 10-10 | 5.12 | 18.58 | 20.80 | 39.38 |
| 7 | Levi Samz | Rock Springs WY | 10-10 | 4.72 | 20.31 | 18.53 | 38.84 |
| 8 | Joe Uribe, Jr. | Surprise AZ | 10-10 | 18.95 | 19.78 | 38.73 | |
| 9 | Chris Zaldain | Fort Worth TX | 10-10 | 4.66 | 20.87 | 17.52 | 38.39 |
| 10 | Shane Edgar | Glendale AZ | 10-10 | 19.69 | 18.16 | 37.85 |
Day Two AAA Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Fish | B/B | Day 1 | Day 2 | Total |
1 |
Matt Moler | Scottsdale AZ | 10-10 | 18.92 | 20.80 | 39.72 | |
| 2 | Nick Dulleck | Roseville CA | 10-10 | 18.21 | 21.25 | 39.46 | |
| 3 | Chuck Kavros | Grass Valley CA | 10-10 | 4.55 | 18.96 | 20.12 | 39.08 |
| 4 | Martin DeHaven | Fresno CA | 10-10 | 4.94 | 22.15 | 16.39 | 38.54 |
| 5 | Zack Hayes | Blythe CA | 10-10 | 17.18 | 18.46 | 35.64 | |
| 6 | JP Huber | Las Vegas NV | 10-8 | 19.32 | 15.36 | 34.68 | |
| 7 | David Shearrer | Trabuco Canyon CA | 10-10 | 16.27 | 18.16 | 34.43 | |
| 8 | Jonathan Green | San Pablo CA | 10-9 | 2.96 | 12.34 | 21.70 | 34.04 |
| 9 | Scott Holman | Orange CA | 10-10 | 3.56 | 18.94 | 14.95 | 33.89 |
| 10 | Eric Hammer | Peoria AZ | 10-10 | 17.85 | 15.95 | 33.80 |
Bryant Smith in Second place with 22.14 pounds after Opening Round
Laughlin, Nev. – October 14, 2024 –– For the third consecutive year, Lake Mohave serves as the playing field for the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury. The 42nd holding of the premier bass fishing event in the Western United States always draws the attention of the industry. Following the official practice period, several anglers in the field expressed the thought that there could be some heavy stringers presented at the Katherine Landing scales.
Despite the fact that the conditions were pushing the century mark, which is seasonably warm for October, the field reportedly found the bass population of Lake Mohave to be in a cooperative mood. Even with light winds and slick conditions, there were several patterns that were producing at all depths across the lake.
With so many available options, that left some questions as to who would be able to capitalize and take control of the event. With the potential for a shootout, who would discover the key to unlock the lake and open what is expected to be a shootout for the champion’s prize of a 2024 ranger Z520R powered by a Mercury ProXS 250.
Day one proved to be impressive as nine bags eclipsed the 20-pound mark, but it was the defending champion, Kyle Grover and his AAA partner Martin DeHaven who topped the field with 22.15 pounds on day one. Though his limit was very impressive, he holds a scant, 1/100th of a pound lead over Bassmaster Elite Series pro Bryant Smith, who partnered with his AAA David King to weigh 22.14 pounds to finish in second place for the day. Smith’s fellow Elite Series pro Chris Zaldain and his AAA partner David Oyler stand in third place with 20.87 pounds. Another former U.S. Open Champion, Josh Bertrand and his partner Gary Wasson posted 2.71 pounds to finish fourth and pro Steven Mack and his AAA Dan Davis rounded out the top five with 20.66 pounds.
Grover was content with his day one performance but felt it would fall short of holding the lead after he weighed-in during the first flight. “I caught them well, but I don’t think it’s going to be enough today,” he said. “I ran all over the lake and tried to find one me better quality fish, but it just didn’t happen.”
The defending champion said that he had to use multiple techniques to bag his limit. “I’ve found the fish doing several different things in all depths, so I had to junk fish all day – I caught my keepers on four different baits in four different areas,” he said. “I was a little nervous about the short day today but I’m in the last flight tomorrow so I’m hoping I can capitalize on that a little bit more.”
Smith took a different approach with the slick conditions on Lake Mohave today. “I fished slow today and most of my fish came from one area,” he said. “I ran around a little bit in the afternoon but stayed in my primary area and worked things methodically. I feel pretty good about tomorrow, but we’ll just have to see how it goes.”
The top 10 standings in each division are below – to see full results go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/2024-us-open-pairings-and-results
Day One Pro Standings
| Angler | Hometown | Fish | Wght | Pnlty | B/B | Day 1 | ||
| 1 | Kyle Grover | Rancho Santa Margarita CA | 5-5 | 22.15 | 4.99 | 22.15 | ||
| 2 | Bryant Smith | Roseville CA | 5-5 | 22.14 | 5.59 | 22.14 | ||
| 3 | Chris Zaldain | Fort Worth TX | 5-5 | 20.87 | 20.87 | |||
| 4 | Josh Bertrand | San Tan Valley AZ | 5-5 | 20.71 | 20.71 | |||
| 5 | Steven Mack | Queen Creek AZ | 5-5 | 20.66 | 20.66 | |||
| 6 | Scott Hellesen | Paso Robles CA | 5-5 | 20.49 | 4.98 | 20.49 | ||
| 7 | Levi Samz | Rock Springs WY | 5-5 | 20.31 | 4.72 | 20.31 | ||
| 8 | Luke Clausen | Otis Orchards WA | 5-5 | 20.21 | 20.21 | |||
| 9 | Chris Costello | Gilroy CA | 5-4 | 20.55 | 0.50 | 20.05 | ||
| 10 | Kyle Gelles | Pingree ID | 5-5 | 19.91 | 4.51 | 19.91 | ||
Day One AAA Standings
| Place | Angler | Hometown | Fish | Wght | Pnlty | B/B | Day 1 |
| 1 | Martin DeHaven | Fresno CA | 5-5 | 22.15 | 4.69 | 22.15 | |
| 2 | David King | Compton CA | 5-5 | 22.14 | 4.76 | 22.14 | |
| 3 | David Oyler | Boulder City NV | 5-5 | 20.87 | 4.75 | 20.87 | |
| 4 | Gary Wasson | Visalia CA | 5-5 | 20.71 | 20.71 | ||
| 5 | Dan Davis | Hurrican UT | 5-5 | 20.66 | 20.66 | ||
| 6 | Logan Maltese | Lake Havasu City AZ | 5-5 | 20.49 | 20.49 | ||
| 7 | Jason Randall | Las Vegas NV | 5-5 | 20.31 | 4.34 | 20.31 | |
| 8 | Mike Kizis | Belle River ON | 5-5 | 20.21 | 4.49 | 20.21 | |
| 9 | David Childress | Bakersfield CA | 5-4 | 20.55 | 0.50 | 4.72 | 20.05 |
| 10 | Ronald Cross | Pahrump NV | 5-5 | 19.91 | 19.91 |
Daily takeoffs occur at safe light from Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina in Bullhead City, Ariz. with daily weigh-ins at the U.S. Open stage located at Katherine Landing beginning at 3:00PM Pacific.
The 2024 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada culminates with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October 14-16, 2024. The full schedule of the five event dates are as follows:
Jan. 31–Feb. 2, Lake Shasta – Champion Nick Wood – 47.42 pounds
April 17-19, Clear Lake – Austin Bonjour – 83.28 pounds
May 15-17, Lake Havasu – Joe Uribe Jr. – 57.31 pounds
Sept. 18-20, Lake Mead – Julius Mazy – 45.24 pounds
Oct. 14-16, U.S. Open at Lake Mohave – TBD
For complete details or to register, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.
The 2024 WON Bass Northern California Lake Mead Open is brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Phenix Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Bill Lewis Lures, Buckeye Lures, Steel Shad, Bioenno Power, DD26 Fishing, SOG Knives, Cold Steel Knives, Gamma Line, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, PRP and Signature Gates.
Local presenting sponsors are Visit Laughlin and Katherine Landing