HENDERSON, Nev. (April 7, 2005) - Pro Tim Klinger of Boulder City, winner of the 2004 FLW Tour Wal-Mart Open, caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 27 pounds, 9 ounces to lead round one of the EverStart Series Western Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Mead near Henderson. Although the top-10 pros will start from zero on day three, Klinger dominated the opening round with a lead of more the 4 pounds over than the next closest competitor - Shane Meisel of Alta Loma, Calif., who caught a two-day total of 10 bass weighing 23 pounds, 2ounces.
The wind blew on Thursday on Lake Mead creating a few obstacles, but conditions basically remained stable. Bass are in all stages of the spawn, and numerous limits were caught. Anglers are throwing spinnerbaits, drop-shots and a variety of other baits. The sight-fishing bite also appears to be the dominant pattern for many pros.
"I did the same thing I did yesterday," Klinger said. "I'm catching some sight fish but also finding fish with a spinnerbait and working those areas with plastics."
Rounding out the top-five pros are Dennis Kolender of Henderson (10 bass, 23 pounds, 1 ounce); Gabe Bolivar of Ramona, Calif. (10 bass, 22 pounds, 12 ounces); and Thanh Le of El Cajon, Calif. (10 bass, 22 pounds, 3 ounces).
Rob Wenning of Sparks, Nev., caught a 3-pound, 153-ounce bass to earn the day's $425 Snickers Big Bass award for the Pro Division.
Gary Key of Phoenix, Ariz., caught a two-day total of nine bass weighing 16 pounds, 11 ounces to lead the Co-angler Division. Key also made a top-10 cut at the last Western Division event on Clear Lake and missed the cut at the season opener on Lake Havasu by a mere 6 ounces.
"I'm just trying to pick up fish that my partners are missing," Key said. "While the pros are going after the nesting fish, I'm concentrating on fish in 10-15 feet of water that haven't moved up yet. I'm throwing a drop-shot."
Rounding out the top-five co-anglers are Charlie Crawford of Peoria, Ariz. (eight bass, 15 pounds, 7 ounces); Gary Haraguchi of Half Moon Bay, Calif. (eight bass, 14 pounds, 15 ounces); Lewis Milligan of Roseville, Calif. (seven bass, 14 pounds, 14 ounces); and John Bitting of Westminster, Calif. (eight bass, 14 pounds, 1 ounces).
Larry Gardner Sr. of Jerome, Idaho, caught Thursday's Snickers Big Bass in the Co-angler Division - a 4-pound, 4-ounce bass - worth $185.
Anglers caught 480 bass Thursday weighing 1,056 pounds, 4 ounces.
EverStart Series tournaments are four-day events consisting of two rounds. The entire field competes Wednesday and Thursday, and the top 10 pros and co-anglers - based on two-day accumulated weights - advance to the final round. Anglers start at zero Friday, and pro and co-angler winners are determined Saturday based on two-day accumulated weights.