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Johnson rallies from 4th to win U.S. Open

Johnson rallies from 4th to win U.S. Open

As tough as the high winds on the first 2 days of competition at the 2016 WON Bass U.S. Open on the anglers and their equipment, the final day may have been the toughest on their spirits.

While days 1 and 2 featured big winds and even bigger waves, the bluebird skies, slick calm water and mild conditions may very well have been the toughest fishing scenario the field had faced. While navigating rough water creates an issue for boaters, wind – as the old fishing adage states – is your friend when it comes to catching.

Johnny Johnson of Lakeside, Ariz. proved to be the angler who most effectively navigated the difficult conditions to win the West's premier event. He did so by bringing an 11-pound limit to the Callville Bay scales to leapfrog the three anglers above him and take his first U.S. Open victory since he started fishing the event in 1994.

His performance on the toughest fishing day of the event brought his total weight to 27.65 pounds.

“I relied on two lures primarily to catch my fish, a 1/2-ounce white Persuader spinnerbait and a 4-inch Roboworm in oxblood light and Aaron’s magic,” he said. “I bucked 3-foot rollers on points to catch the spinnerbait fish in the wind and slowed down to catch them when it slicked off.”

A veteran of 22 U.S. Opens on Nevada's Lake Mead, Johnson was overwhelmed by the accomplishment.

“I absolutely can’t believe that I won this event,” said Johnson, who hosts a fishing TV show in Arizona. “This is one of those things I set a goal to accomplish many years ago, and now that it has happened, I'm completely thrilled and humbled.”

Day-2 leader Clayton Meyer of Henderson, Nev. ended up with 25.62 pounds to finish in the runner-up position for the second consecutive year. He proved to be the most consistent angler in the field and was only beaten by the Herculean effort by Johnson.

“I really did all I could do with the one area of the lake I had,” he said. “I ran to Temple Bar and caught my fish on a jig, but just couldn’t get the one or two big bites I needed to close it out. It’s a little disappointing, but truthfully, to finish 2nd two years in a row is not all bad; I’m happy with it.”

Andy Manahl of Mesa, Ariz. finished 3rd with 24.31, followed by Tai Au of Glendale, Ariz. (23.23) and Wade Strelic of El Cajon, Calif. (23.08).

For complete final results, click here.

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