Heavy winds resulted in a major shakeup on the leaderboard on day 2 of the WON Bass U.S. Open at Nevada's Lake Mead as home-state angler Clayton Meyer took over the lead with a 9.43-pound stringer that gave him a 17.87 total.
“I knew the conditions were going to be really tough today and I don’t have the amount of water to fish that some of the other guys do, so I tried to make the most of it,” Meyer said. “I really worked to fish what I have and not strive too much; I didn’t expect my day to end with me this high in the standings.”
The field was forced to contend with sustained winds of 15 to 20 mph, with gusts that eclipsed 35. None of the Top 5 anglers from day 1 even cracked the Top 15 on day 2.
Meyer has a reputation for excelling in tough events, and he lived up to that on day 2. He reported making a long run and fishing one or two areas in a variety of ways.
“I have five or six rods on the deck and I’m using them all,” he said. “I do have a few other areas I haven’t been able to hit yet because of the wind, which is supposed to lay down tomorrow. I’ll have to see what happens.”
While a majority of the field gambled on the winds not affecting their fishing, one angler who made a decision to hold serve was Tai Au of Glendale, Ariz. Au decided to stay close to the takeoff and maximize his fishing time despite having made a long run on day 1. The result was a 9.49-pound limit that brought his total weight to 17.82 pounds, good for 2nd place.
Not only did he change areas, he changed patterns as well.
“I slowed down and fished the bottom today,” he said. “Hopefully the wind will lie down tomorrow and I’ll be able to run back to my primary stuff and put another good bag on the scales."
Big-bass honors for the day went to California's Mike Walsh, who caught a 7.76-pound largemouth that was likely the largest fish ever boated in the 34-year history of the event. It bit a crawfish imitation that he declined to reveal.
For complete standings, click here.
