When WON Bass announced the October dates for the 35th edition of the U.S. Open, the hope was that the field size would increase to record levels and that the fishing would be excellent.
It got its wish on both counts.
Anglers in the 207 boats that ventured out onto the waters of Lake Mead at daybreak on the first day of the event found Lake Mead’s black bass population to be cooperative, and the larger fish seemed to join the festivities as well. In a tournament that has often taken less than 11 pounds a day to win, the top 13 anglers eclipsed that mark on day 1 and it took more than 10 pounds to crack the top 20 in the standings.
Phoenix, Ariz. competitor Justin Patti proved to be the cream of the crop on opening day for the second consecutive year as he and triple-A partner Kevin A. Smith caught a 14.71-pound stringer. Despite a late take-off slot, Patti said that he was able to work his way into an area, cooperating with the other anglers who had set up shop there.
“I really have to give a lot of credit to the other anglers we were working around,” he said. “We all worked well together and we were really fortunate that we were able to get the bites we needed.”
Patti and Smith used several techniques to catch their creel, but it was Smith’s early 4.50-pound big fish that set the tone.
“He really fished hard all day, but at 9 o'clock this morning he caught that big one that made a huge difference,” said Patti. “It really made us settle in and focus, and we were able to cull several more times. It was a really good day and I hope to be able to get close to that weight tomorrow and have a chance on the final day.”
Sandy, Utah boater Travis Jewell and partner Michael Fisher brought 13.22 pounds to the scale at the Calville Bay weigh-in site, which was enough to earn them 2nd place by the day’s end. Jewell said that it was the quick comfort level his partner gave him that helped when things did not go as planned on their first stop.
“I had metered the area with my graph in practice and found some big fish, but when we got there today they were gone,” he said. “It was frustrating, but we worked together and made a short move and found them again; then we pulled out the dropshot and started catching them.”
Here's a look at the initial top 10 on the pro side:
1. Justin Patti: 14.71
2. Travis Jewell: 13.22
3. Nick Salvucci: 13.07
4. Josh Bertrand: 12.74
5. Kyle Grover: 12.51
6. Paul Hodges: 12.20
7. (tie) Marvin Barellano: 11.70
7. (tie) Kevin Hugo: 11.70
9. Steve Tosh Jr.: 11.62
10. Noah Cook: 11.59
