LAKEPORT, Calif. - Jared Lintner and Chris Zaldain should fish together more often. The pair were randomly paired together on the final day of the Bassmaster Western Open bass fishing tournament at Clear Lake and won the boater and non-boater division respectively. Lintner takes home a $50,000 prize package including a fully-rigged Triton boat with Mercury outboard.
In dramatic fashion, California's Lintner jumped all the way up from 25th place to surge into the lead on the final day. His three-day catch of 49 pounds, 15 ounces was good enough to hold off Day 2 leader Michael Tuck by 2 pounds, 11 ounces. In the end, it was his experience with western fisheries that helped him to his first BASS win.
"I have a bunch of spots on this lake that I know I can go to" Lintner said. "I started my day in one of my hot spots that had been productive during this tournament. My partner Chris caught a limit there by 9 a.m. I knew I had a bunch of other places that I could go because I have fished here so many times, and I had to use them."
Lintner starter early in his hot spot working a buzz bait. Later in the day, due to the weather, he moved to protected waters as the wind built up. He switched to bright and flashy jigs to combat the unpredictable clarity of the water.
His 22-3 limit on the final day was by far the biggest bag on the day. Lintner attributed his fantastic finish to his knowledge of the lake. In 2004, Lintner finished third in the Open at Clear Lake.
Lintner's banner final day put the pressure on Tuck to bring in a solid limit. His catch of 10 pounds, 3 ounces was not quite enough to take home his first BASS victory. Despite the solid showing, Tuck could only think of the one that got away.
"When you are fishing a tournament like this with such quality anglers, you can't afford to lose any fish and this weekend I lost a few," the Californian said. "I don't even want to talk about the almost 9 pounder I lost in the last fifteen minutes of fishing today."
Finishing behind Lintner and Tuck is Nevada's Rob Wenning (47-3), California's Jim Davis (47-0) and California's Ricky Shabazz (45-3).
On the non-boater side, Zaldain takes home a Triton boat package valued at $25,000. Rounding out the top five are Japan's Hideki Maeda (38-8), California's Rick Spinney (36-11), California's John Sherak (35-9) and California's Gary Morris (34-12).
The Californians dominated on their state lake as 8 of the top 10 finishers on the boater and non-boater side hail from California.
The lone remaining event in the Western Open series will take place on Lake Shasta in Shasta Lake, Calif. (Nov. 17-19). The top 15 boaters and non-boaters from the Western Open point standings will advance to the 2005 Open Championship on the Alabama River in Prattville, Ala., Dec. 1-4. The top five boaters from the Open Championship will qualify to fish in the 2006 Classic (Feb. 24-26; Lake Tohopekaliga, Kissimmee, Fla.) and compete for a $500,000 top prize.
2005 Western Open 2 BO 10/13-10/15
Clear Lake, Lakeport Calif.
(BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 15 49-15 305 $46,816.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 5 22-03
2. Michael Tuck Antelope, Calif. 15 47-04 300 $27,537.00
Day 1: 5 18-02 Day 2: 5 18-15 Day 3: 5 10-03
3. Rob Wenning Sparks, Nev. 15 47-03 290 $18,192.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 19-04 Day 3: 5 13-00
4. Jim Davis San Jose, Calif. 15 47-00 285 $8,000.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 14-06 Day 3: 5 18-10
5. Ricky Shabazz Rialto, Calif. 15 45-03 280 $6,000.00
Day 1: 5 15-11 Day 2: 5 19-12 Day 3: 5 9-12
6. Mick Karshner Fresno, Calif. 15 45-00 276 $4,250.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 16-08 Day 3: 5 13-06
7. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 15 44-13 272 $3,900.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 16-11 Day 3: 5 13-09
8. Kent Brown Roseville, Calif. 15 44-10 268 $3,300.00
Day 1: 5 16-02 Day 2: 5 15-07 Day 3: 5 13-01
8. Dewayne Bonham Brentwood, Calif. 15 44-10 268 $3,300.00
Day 1: 5 14-12 Day 2: 5 13-14 Day 3: 5 16-00
10. Jim Reese Witter Springs, Calif. 15 43-13 260 $2,600.00
Day 1: 5 15-01 Day 2: 5 17-11 Day 3: 5 11-01
11. Bret Gouvea Redding, Calif. 15 43-08 257 $2,300.00
Day 1: 5 14-11 Day 2: 5 17-05 Day 3: 5 11-08
12. Skeet Reese Auburn, Calif. 15 43-07 254 $2,000.00
Day 1: 5 16-10 Day 2: 5 13-07 Day 3: 5 13-06
13. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 15 43-05 251 $1,700.00
Day 1: 5 15-02 Day 2: 5 14-11 Day 3: 5 13-08
14. Izz Byrd San Jose, Calif. 15 43-00 248 $1,550.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 17-07 Day 3: 5 11-12
15. John Semken Olympia, Wash. 15 41-12 245 $1,500.00
Day 1: 5 16-07 Day 2: 5 10-07 Day 3: 5 14-14
16. Steve Tosh Modesto, Calif. 15 41-00 243 $1,450.00
Day 1: 5 19-04 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 5 11-01
17. Steve Larussa San Jose, Calif. 15 40-15 241 $1,450.00
Day 1: 5 14-15 Day 2: 5 12-03 Day 3: 5 13-13
18. Gary Dobyns Yuba City, Calif. 15 40-13 239 $1,450.00
Day 1: 5 8-08 Day 2: 5 21-15 Day 3: 5 10-06
18. Leo Carrillo Tuscon, Ariz. 15 40-13 239 $1,450.00
Day 1: 5 15-09 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 12-05
20. Sean Minderman Spokane, Wash. 15 40-00 235 $1,450.00
Day 1: 5 13-11 Day 2: 5 14-05 Day 3: 5 12-00
21. Steve Geffs Antelope, Calif. 15 39-08 233 $1,400.00
Day 1: 5 10-03 Day 2: 5 17-04 Day 3: 5 12-01
21. Kelly Kellogg Kelso, Wash. 15 39-08 233 $1,400.00
Day 1: 5 16-11 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 10-12
23. Wayne Breazeale Kelseyville, Calif. 15 39-01 229 $1,400.00
Day 1: 5 19-03 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 7-08
24. R J Bennett Roseville, Calif. 15 38-12 227 $1,400.00
Day 1: 5 13-12 Day 2: 5 15-12 Day 3: 5 9-04
24. James Broberg Spokane, Wash. 15 38-12 227 $1,400.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 12-04 Day 3: 5 11-11
26. David Kromm Kennewick, Wash. 15 38-09 228 $3,350.00
Day 1: 5 21-14 Day 2: 5 8-13 Day 3: 5 7-14
27. Dave Palmer Roseburg, Ore. 13 38-08 221 $1,350.00
Day 1: 5 15-13 Day 2: 5 17-05 Day 3: 3 5-06
28. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 15 37-12 219 $1,350.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 5 12-12 Day 3: 5 10-07
29. Larry Brower Cottonwood, Calif. 15 36-15 217 $1,350.00
Day 1: 5 18-03 Day 2: 5 9-05 Day 3: 5 9-07
30. Gary Howell Stockton, Calif. 15 36-13 215 $1,350.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 15-14 Day 3: 5 9-14
31. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 13 36-02 213 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 10-05 Day 2: 5 18-06 Day 3: 3 7-07
32. Mike Kirk Redding, Calif. 14 35-14 211 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 15-08 Day 2: 5 11-15 Day 3: 4 8-07
33. Mark Naillon San Jose, Calif. 14 35-11 209 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 13-13 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 4 7-06
34. Tim Higbee Santa Cruz, Calif. 14 34-00 207 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 11-03 Day 2: 5 15-10 Day 3: 4 7-03
35. John Alimpic Angwin, Calif. 12 30-11 205 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 17-13 Day 2: 5 9-08 Day 3: 2 3-06
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 David Kromm Kennewick, Wash. 9-03 $1,000.00
2 Ricky Shabazz Rialto, Calif. 8-11 $1,000.00
3 Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 6-09 $1,000.00
David Kromm Kennewick, Wash. 9-03 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 702 1670-08
2 710 1678-01
3 165 393-07
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1577 3742-00
2005 Western Open 2 NB 10/13-10/15
Clear Lake, Lakeport Calif.
(NON-BOATER) Standings Day 3
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Chris Zaldain San Jose, Calif. 15 39-05 305 $25,437.00
Day 1: 5 13-02 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 5 14-02
2. Hideki Maeda Sakai-City Osaka, Japa 15 38-08 295 $5,200.00
Day 1: 5 12-04 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 5 11-12
3. Rick Spinney Manteca, Calif. 15 36-11 290 $3,250.00
Day 1: 5 8-15 Day 2: 5 14-01 Day 3: 5 13-11
4. John Sherak Tracy, Calif. 15 35-09 285 $2,900.00
Day 1: 5 12-10 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 12-01
5. Gary Morris Tracy, Calif. 14 34-12 280 $3,000.00
Day 1: 4 8-01 Day 2: 5 17-10 Day 3: 5 9-01
6. Steve Biechman Redding, Calif. 15 34-06 276 $1,900.00
Day 1: 5 14-00 Day 2: 5 11-04 Day 3: 5 9-02
7. Cody Meyer Grass Valley, Calif. 15 33-11 272 $1,600.00
Day 1: 5 13-03 Day 2: 5 10-00 Day 3: 5 10-08
8. Scott Burke Oakdale, Calif. 14 32-14 268 $1,300.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 11-09 Day 3: 4 9-03
9. James Lima Reno, Nev. 15 32-12 264 $1,200.00
Day 1: 5 11-06 Day 2: 5 11-02 Day 3: 5 10-04
10. James Cadell Escalon, Calif. 15 32-04 260 $1,100.00
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 5 12-15 Day 3: 5 10-02
11. Russell Stansbury Santa Rosa, Calif. 15 31-14 257 $1,000.00
Day 1: 5 10-01 Day 2: 5 13-03 Day 3: 5 8-10
12. Brandon Craner Buhl, Idaho 14 31-00 254 $900.00
Day 1: 5 13-14 Day 2: 5 9-15 Day 3: 4 7-03
13. Mike Schweigert Rapid City, S.D. 15 30-11 251 $800.00
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 5 12-14 Day 3: 5 8-10
14. Doug Jones Nevada City, Calif. 12 30-10 258 $700.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 13-01 Day 3: 2 2-12
15. Justin Baldasano San Jose, Calif. 15 29-13 245 $650.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 9-06 Day 3: 5 7-15
16. Clarence Pinkerton Lakehead, Calif. 15 29-12 243 $600.00
Day 1: 5 10-00 Day 2: 5 10-14 Day 3: 5 8-14
16. Marvin Dixon Willits, Calif. 14 29-12 243 $600.00
Day 1: 4 11-04 Day 2: 5 10-04 Day 3: 5 8-04
18. Richard Mattson Napa, Calif. 14 29-07 239 $600.00
Day 1: 5 13-05 Day 2: 4 9-08 Day 3: 5 6-10
19. Carl Limbrick San Diego, Calif. 15 29-04 237 $600.00
Day 1: 5 10-09 Day 2: 5 9-15 Day 3: 5 8-12
20. Yasutaka Takagi Yaizu, Japan 15 29-00 235 $600.00
Day 1: 5 11-01 Day 2: 5 9-14 Day 3: 5 8-01
21. Michael Martinez Alameda, Calif. 13 28-08 233 $575.00
Day 1: 5 11-04 Day 2: 5 12-01 Day 3: 3 5-03
22. Robert Higgins Clearlake Oaks, Calif. 15 28-06 231 $575.00
Day 1: 5 9-04 Day 2: 5 11-11 Day 3: 5 7-07
23. Leon Knight Tehachapi, Calif. 15 28-05 229 $575.00
Day 1: 5 9-03 Day 2: 5 12-06 Day 3: 5 6-12
24. Ray Beck Eureka, Calif. 14 28-04 227 $575.00
Day 1: 5 12-08 Day 2: 5 9-07 Day 3: 4 6-05
25. David Kiesgen Peoria, Ariz. 13 27-14 225 $575.00
Day 1: 5 10-14 Day 2: 5 13-04 Day 3: 3 3-12
26. Cris Vanclef Mountainview , Calif. 13 26-03 223 $550.00
Day 1: 5 11-05 Day 2: 5 10-11 Day 3: 3 4-03
27. Gary Haraguchi Brentwood, Calif. 13 25-14 221 $550.00
Day 1: 5 12-02 Day 2: 5 9-10 Day 3: 3 4-02
28. Brian A Trusso Covina, Calif. 9 25-09 219 $550.00
Day 1: 5 14-09 Day 2: 2 6-02 Day 3: 2 4-14
29. Len Kovats Wheatland, Calif. 11 25-06 222 $550.00
Day 1: 5 14-13 Day 2: 5 8-14 Day 3: 1 1-11
30. Tom Draviczki Plainfield, Ill. 12 25-02 215 $550.00
Day 1: 5 14-06 Day 2: 5 8-01 Day 3: 2 2-11
31. Rommel Bagay Concord, Calif. 11 24-08 213 $525.00
Day 1: 5 9-15 Day 2: 5 13-02 Day 3: 1 1-07
32. Rod Rinta Chehalis, Wash. 12 24-03 211 $525.00
Day 1: 5 11-11 Day 2: 5 9-01 Day 3: 2 3-07
33. Alex Ochoa Los Angeles, Calif. 11 23-06 209 $925.00
Day 1: 5 14-07 Day 2: 4 6-08 Day 3: 2 2-07
34. Matt Larson Stockton, Calif. 10 22-14 207 $525.00
Day 1: 4 7-04 Day 2: 5 13-06 Day 3: 1 2-04
35. Dan Cranston San Andreas, Calif. 10 22-11 205 $525.00
Day 1: 4 7-00 Day 2: 5 14-08 Day 3: 1 1-03
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Alex Ochoa Los Angeles, Calif. 6-08 $400.00
2 Gary Morris Tracy, Calif. 7-12 $400.00
3 Chris Zaldain San Jose, Calif. 4-13 $400.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 625 1201-04
2 617 1195-07
3 133 243-05
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1375 2640-00