Aaron Martens fished the BASSMASTER Western Opens this year for two reasons. One was as a "backup" way of making the BASS Masters Classic in case his fishing on the BASSMASTER Tour wasn't stellar. The other reason -- arrived at later -- was to be the last guy to be No. 1 in the Western Open points since next year ESPN/B.A.S.S. will no longer conduct Western Opens.
On Saturday he accomplished both goals by winning the final Western Open of the season, at California's Clear Lake. With 67 pounds 15 ounces he took the victory and remained No. 1 in the western point standings, thus assuring himself of another trip to July's BASS Masters Classic.
Western anglers that will be joining Martens at the Classic are Nevada's Jack Gadlage and Californians Luke Clausen and Mike O'Shea.
Skeet Reese missed the Classic by just one point (see stats below). So unless Reese, now 73rd in the B.A.S.S. points race, has a great finish at next week's Tour event at Eufaula, BassFans won't see is trademarked Classic boogie on the weigh-in stage this year.
Western Open Top 10
Following are the anglers who finished 1-10 in the 2002 Western Open points race. Only the Top 4 go to the Classic, though the Top 5 go from the Centrals and Easterns.
1. Aaron Martens, Calif., 988
2. Jack A. Gadlage, Nev., 961
3. Luke Clausen, Calif., 957
4. Mike O'Shea, Calif., 956
5. Skeet Reese, Calif., 955
6. Rob Vander Kooi, Ariz., 953
6. Kotaro Kiriyama, N.J., 953
8. Charlie Weyer, Calif., 918
9. Mike Reynolds, Calif., 909
10. Dennis Kolender, Nev., 898
Clear Lake Note
Next year the BASSMASTER Tour will be visiting two California waters, one of which will be Clear Lake. Watch out for Martens there.
