HENDERSON, Nev. (April 8, 2005) - Pro Gabe Bolivar of Ramona, Calif., caught five bass weighing 12 pounds to lead the final round of the EverStart Series Western Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Mead near Henderson. Ten pros are competing for a top award of nearly $50,000 in cash and prizes including a fully rigged Ranger 519 VX.
Anglers had clear skies and warm temperatures for the third day of the tournament, but they did have to contend with high winds and choppy water.
Bolivar said things really unfolded for him today. "I was covering a ton of water, trying to put my lures in front of as many different fish as possible," Bolivar said. "I was fishing for pre-spawn bass that were staging around weeds." Bolivar said his bites came on a mixed assortment of lures, but most fell to reaction baits, such as spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Rounding out the top-five pros are Tim Klinger of Boulder City (five bass, 9 pounds, 10 ounces); Dennis Kolender of Henderson (five bass, 9 pounds, 2 ounces); Thanh Le of El Cajon, Calif. (five bass, 7 pounds, 7 ounces); and Scott Mascadri of Sacramento, Calif. (five bass, 7 pounds.)
Gary Key of Phoenix, Ariz., caught three bass weighing 6 pounds, 5 ounces to lead the Co-angler Division.
"I worked hard for my fish today," Key said. "I caught one with just 10 minutes left before weigh-in, and I had to let one go that was just shy of the length limit." Key has stuck to fishing a creature bait in 10 to 15 feet of water for the duration of the tournament.
Rounding out the top-five co-anglers are Lewis Milligan of Roseville, Calif. (four bass, 6 pounds, 3 ounces); Charlie Crawford of Peoria, Ariz. (four bass, 5 pounds, 12 ounces); John Bitting of West Minister, Calif. (two bass, 5 pounds, 6 ounces); and Joe Conway of Colorado Springs, Colo. (two bass, 5 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.