Brown Wins U.S. Open on Lake Mead

September 11, 2013
Tournament News Archive

Las Vegas, Nev. - September 11, 2013 - The rule for the week at the 31st Anniversary WON Bass U.S. Open had been consistency.   The anglers that seemed to fare the best had been those who had managed to put together steady limits, avoiding the wild swings that can happen in a event on Lake Mead.

Rusty Brown proved that one more time on the final day, and claimed the title of U.S. Open Champion.

The Tustin, Calif. pro posted his third consecutive limit weighing in excess of 10 pounds to claim his first U.S. Open victory. His final day limit of 10.81 pounds pushed his three day total to 31.25 pounds and help him eclipse a hard charging Clifford Pirch; a two-time U.S. Open Champion who bagged a 15.48-pound bag to give him his second consecutive runner up finish with a total weight of 30.32 pounds. Day two leader Brett Hite stumbled slightly in his quest for three consecutive 10 pound limits, and brought 9.03 pounds to the Callville Bay Marina scales and slipped to third place with 30.09 pounds.

Brown credited three lures, and his ability to slow down and fish his areas thoroughly with the win. "I knew there were quality fish in the Gregg Basin area, so I just had to slow down and fish back and forth around grass beds to try and trigger the big fish into biting," I caught my fish on a Rapala Skitter Walk and a few on a Vixen, a shad colored Pro Line spinnerbait with smaller sized willowleaf blades and a size 3 Storm Arashi Squarebill crankbait."

He said he used erratic retrieves around grass beds trying to contact the grass without bogging the baits down. he also said that he tried to focus on grinding out the right kinds of bites. "I fished really hard for three days, after a good practice, and knew that if I just kept fishing without getting in a hurry, I would get the right bites," he said. "Everything went great this week, and I couldn't be happier with the result."

He also said he has dreamed of being a U.S. Open Champion, and humbled by the accomplishment. "I can't believe I'm standing here with my name on the same list of the guys I've watched win this tournament for so many years," he said. "I've got great sponsors who have stood behind me in working at this for many years and it's really great to be one of the guys who have won this tournament."

Merlin Nunes of Vacaville, Calif. fished with Pirch on the final day, and his participation in the 15.47-pound limit brought his three day total weight to 31.78 pounds to claim the AAA Division championship. He was followed by Robert Jeannotte, who finished with 30.55 pounds to finish in second place for the third consecutive day. Day two AAA leader Scott Palumbo finished in third place with 28.95 pounds.

2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open

Day One Pro Standings

PlaceNameHometownWeightPenaltyBig FishTotal
1Rusty BrownTustin CA31.253.9231.25
2Clifford PirchPayson AZ30.720.45.230.32
3Brett HitePhoenix AZ30.093.0430.09
4Justin HanoldPoway CA29.663.4929.66
5Tommy JonovichPhoenix AZ29.820.229.62
6Gary DobynsYuba City CA28.892.5228.89
7Joe Uribe, Jr.Lake Forest CA28.560.23.4728.36
8Chris BozarthHenderson NV27.262.8227.26
9Morizo ShimizuOsaka JP26.853.1626.85
10Jamie CyphersCedar City UT26.773.1426.77
11Todd HermanGilbert AZ26.074.4926.07
12Aaron LeonHenderson NV26.440.42.826.04
13Ben ByrdMoab UT25.7225.72
14Bill BrownGrand Junction CO25.6425.64
15Todd WoodsSan Dimas CA25.422.5925.42
16John PerkinsLake Havasu City AZ25.352.9125.35
17Shaun BaileyLake Havasu City AZ25.590.43.7325.19
18Paul HodgesGlendale AZ24.9624.96
19Randy BlaukatJoplin MO24.884.1124.88
20Ray ArbesuHenderson NV25.220.43.124.82
21Garrett HowardRiverside CA24.750.43.324.35
22Johnny JohnsonLakeside AZ24.1724.17
23Randy Estrada, M.D.Corona CA24.0424.04
24Klayton BeldenEl Cajon CA23.9523.95
25Kenichi TanakaMinamikawachigun23.892.723.89
26Patrick WhitakerGilbert AZ23.8723.87
27Dorne SotoHenderson NV23.620.223.42
28Brett Allen LeberDixon CA23.3523.35
29John MurrayPhoenix AZ23.223.3223.22
30Josh RhodesLakeside CA23.083.8723.08
31Gary PinholsterLake Havasu City AZ23.190.222.99
32Steve GibsonLas Vegas NV22.733.0622.73
32Claude SimsBoerne TX22.930.222.73
34Sean StaffordFairfield CA22.830.222.63
35Andy ManahlMesa AZ22.770.222.57
36Roy HawkLake Havasu City AZ22.473.2322.47
37Kyle GroverTrabuco Canyon CA22.360.222.16
38Phillip DutraAntioch CA21.963.1521.96
39Rich TauberCamarillo CA21.853.9921.85
40Aaron MartensLeeds AL21.7821.78
41Kevin NorlingSan Diego CA21.7721.77
42Gabe BolivarRamona CA21.723.4521.72
43Matt ShuraGilbert AZ21.6221.62
44Justin KerrLake Havasu City AZ21.512.8821.51
45Derek YamamotoBoulder City CO21.4921.49
46David ValdiviaNorwalk CA21.660.221.46
47Shawn LeeArroyo Grande CA21.550.23.3221.35
48Clayton MeyerHenderson NV21.323.1221.32
49Ken WhalenLompoc CA21.250.221.05
50Byron VelvickDel Rio TX21.0221.02
51Raymond ArcherGreeley CO2121
52Bobby LanhamCave Creek AZ20.7820.78
53Stephen PikeLas Vegas NV20.7120.71
54Dick WatsonAlta Loma CA20.70.420.3
55Kevin WigginsLas Vegas NV20.2720.27
56John WeisfussOxnard CA20.450.220.25
57Vu AuTucson AZ20.370.220.17
58Marco ValdezMesa AZ20.1420.14
59Rick MasonGlendale AZ19.992.319.99
60Garrett LorenzenEscondido CA19.892.719.89
61Kevin CarusoGlendale AZ19.873.219.87
62Jamie ShawCoolidge AZ19.8219.82
63Devin McDonaldLas Vegas NV19.653.0419.65
64Dave WendrichElko NV19.5919.59
65Ricky ShabazzRialto CA19.5619.56
66Bill O'ShinnGranite Bay CA19.482.8319.48
67Neil FloresMenifee CA19.4519.45
68Matt MasseyGolden CO19.3319.33
69Ed ArledgeValley Center CA19.2319.23
70Jiggs BennMyrtle Creek OR19.172.6719.17
71Rick ClunnAva MO18.9918.99
72John MackeyBoulder City NV18.9518.95
73Mark PoeCoolidge AZ18.872.9418.87
74Randy CnotaTucson AZ18.980.218.78
75John MorrowBrea CA18.3818.38
76Craig MillerLas Vegas NV18.3318.33
77Keith BeeverAliso Viejo CA18.470.218.27
78Ken PhillipsAntioch CA18.0918.09
79Neil CampbellFallbrook CA17.4417.44
79Jay WrightPasadena CA17.442.7517.44
81Gary FreemanLas Vegas NV17.4117.41
82Ernie StumpfCarrollton TX17.60.22.7717.4
83Michael CarusoPeoria AZ17.325.0817.32
84Jonathan D. DemonetDowney CA17.217.2
85Vern RidgwayChandler AZ17.1217.12
85Ed ShaverLake Havasu City AZ17.1217.12
87Mike BrillhartWaddell AZ1616
88Nick YoungOntario OR15.9315.93
89Gary BoydReseda CA15.752.4215.75
90Mike FolkestadVilla Park CA15.840.22.2715.64
91Guy SavidanYorba Linda CA15.582.6815.58
92William RuehlePeoria AZ15.4115.41
93Shane MolineKingman AZ15.1615.16
94Stephen PatekChula Vista CA14.842.6214.84
95David PeltierActon CA14.8214.82
96Gerald KimzeyWillcox AZ14.692.8314.69
97Scott WingoSan Diego CA14.573.3514.57
98Jason BurchfieldLas Vegas NV14.910.414.51
98Thomas WennerlundGilbert AZ14.5114.51
100Clyde EvansLas Vegas NV14.414.4
101Marvin BarellanoMonterey Park CA14.2714.27
102George KramerLake Elsinore CA14.450.214.25
103Michael PhuaChino CA14.1614.16
103Joseph RafteryLas Vegas NV14.1614.16
105Steve MolinariWaddell AZ14.0114.01
106Trey CampbellGardena CA13.9513.95
107Max BauerLa Mesa CA13.9413.94
108Pete MarinoMoreno Valley CA13.913.9
109Travis RichardsHenderson NV13.7813.78
110Melvin WilliamsChula Vista CA13.6713.67
111Philip RoesenerParowan UT13.482.3913.48
112Ty SandeferEscalante UT13.413.4
113Gary RobbinsBurbank CA13.3613.36
114Robert SchoesslerHenderson NV13.313.3
115Cody ComptonPalisade CO13.1113.11
116Clay LippincottGoodyear AZ13.0413.04
117Wade StrelicEl Cajon CA12.8712.87
118Trevor YoungFontana CA12.712.7
119Kevin StewartElk Grove CA12.2312.23
120Vince GennaroHenderson NV12.2212.22
121Mike LavalleeSandy UT11.7411.74
122Zachary ElriteSan Jose CA11.870.211.67
123Christopher DixonGranada Hills CA11.580.211.38
124Chester BaxterGlendale AZ11.2911.29
125Tony LainMenifee CA11.1511.15
126Sean CoffeyMesa AZ10.7410.74
127Jason BorofkaSalinas CA10.183.2210.18
128Ron HammettLa Mesa CA9.669.66
129Keith FerlanieHenderson NV9.239.23
130Michael McFarlandCorona CA8.693.158.69
131David KemperTempe AZ8.820.28.62
132Brent BeckerHenderson NV8.58.5
133Robert JenksDiamond Bar CA7.547.54
134Chris StudingerOceanside CA7.640.27.44
135Tom PryorPage AZ7.327.32
136John O'BrienHenderson NV7.280.27.08
137John BrowningPayson AZ7.220.27.02
138David PatrickSan Jacinto CA6.82.926.8
139Paul BrockmannLomita CA6.730.26.53
140Bill SnyderLas Vegas NV4.44.4
141Oscar TorradoMira Loma CA4.274.27
142Jeffery KlickaBrawley CA2.062.06
  

2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open

Day One AAA Standings

 
PlaceNameHometownWeightPenaltyBig FishTotal
1Merlin NunesVacaville CA31.783.1231.78
2Robert JeannotteHenderson NV30.552.6130.55
3Scott PalumboPhoenix AZ28.953.528.95
4Todd KlineSan Clemente CA28.083.4828.08
5Chris BeverlyMesa AZ27.6527.65
6Barry JohnsonCarson City NV27.424.4927.42
7Tim IrwinLaVerne CA26.3426.34
8Gabriel DiazNuevo CA26.440.23.3226.24
9Mark DaltonFountain Hills AZ25.863.1525.86
10Charles FleisherLas Vegas NV25.673.4225.67
11Josh PaxtonSpring Creek NV24.673.0824.67
12Marty RolphParadise CA24.462.3124.46
13Vince DwanRancho Mirage CA24.332.9524.33
14Darian V. StumpfLas Vegas NV24.3224.32
15Ronald CrossPahrump NV24.0924.09
16Paul H. MatthewsPeoria AZ24.070.22.823.87
17Chris PatekChula Vista CA23.770.22.8523.57
18Shannon HenryAnthem AZ23.4623.46
19R J NevarezBonsall CA23.4223.42
20Carl Limbrick, Jr.Bonita CA23.24.5623.2
21Seth HausmanSandy UT23.320.422.92
22Coy NelsonLas Vegas NV23.070.22.3922.87
23Doug DelgadoWest Lake Village CA22.910.222.71
24Eric HammerPeoria AZ22.770.22.3822.57
25David BurrowsPlacentia CA22.343.7622.34
26Michael D. SiscoHenderson NV22.321.7122.32
27Robert SchneiderTemecula CA22.2222.22
28Andrew MoreauSatatoga Springs UT21.712.4421.71
29Duke AyersFlagstaff AZ21.72.4721.7
30Craig HammettEagle ID21.6121.61
31Geoff PetersonHuntington Beach CA21.5321.53
32Chad MayMesa AZ21.4321.43
33Jason SwearenginRancho Mirage CA21.4221.42
34Bill WentworthDixon CA21.610.221.41
35David BebawyChandler AZ21.43.5721.4
36Brian P. DayRncho Snta Margarita CA21.274.5821.27
37Gerard ThomasRalston WY21.2621.26
38Randy OkuboEvanston WY21.440.22.0621.24
39Blaine ChristiansenSan Francisco CA21.2221.22
40Stephen FosterTazewell TN21.0921.09
41Ken CatesLaQuinta CA21.0721.07
42Stephen LambLakeside CA20.843.3720.84
43Tracy PurteePayson AZ20.820.8
43Brent BenishSan Diego CA20.820.8
45Allan RuddockKlamath Falls OR20.743.0320.74
46Michael BidakPheniox AZ20.720.23.7920.52
47Tracy SmartLake Havasu City AZ20.2120.21
48Rob LarsonFountain Green UT20.1120.11
49Kevin GrossClaremont CA20.064.4620.06
49Bobby SteeleGoodyear AZ20.0620.06
51Mike HylandLompoc CA20.0520.05
52James BroughtonHenderson NV20.0320.03
53Dave DellaSparks NV20.170.219.97
54Chuck KavrosGrass Valley CA19.872.219.87
55Gabriel JonesGranite Falls NC19.592.5619.59
56Glenn KiersteadCoventry CT19.4719.47
57John D. HelmTempe AZ19.860.419.46
58Allison ShawLa Quinta CA19.590.219.39
59Conrad DemecsScottsdale AZ19.570.21.8319.37
60Jerome PeacockVisalia CA19.3419.34
61Dave KiesgenPeorea AZ19.332.8319.33
62David HudsonHenderson NV19.2819.28
63Bill LansfordLake Havasu City AZ19.360.219.16
64Greg GallowayValencia CA19.1119.11
65Dale HowardLas Vegas NV18.8318.83
65Duane MieropEscondido CA18.8318.83
67Mark TorrezCamarillo CA18.8118.81
68Paul A. WilliamsLake Havasu City AZ18.6718.67
69Mike ByrumLakewood CA18.720.22.8418.52
70Steve AmataEast Vale CA18.4518.45
71Chris MartensLeeds AL18.3318.33
72Bob NokleyLas Vegas NV18.420.218.22
73Matthew RiveraAliso Viejo CA18.212.7918.21
74Liz JonesConoga Park CA18.260.218.06
75Steven CookPhoeniz AZ18.042.2618.04
76Mona DunlapLake Arrowhead CA17.9717.97
77Dante RaySparks NV17.8617.86
78Erik BomstadTemecula CA17.8517.85
79Eddie LeroBryan TX17.870.217.67
80Brian PierceColorado Springs CO17.650.217.45
81Layne GrayMilford UT17.3517.35
82Robert NicholsonGrand Terrace CA17.420.217.22
82Edward SmithBlythe CA17.2217.22
84Steve LindnerLake Havasu City AZ17.360.217.16
85Brad AnkrumGrand Junction CO17.1117.11
86Robert JonesClayton CA17.0917.09
87Yoki Usuki17.220.217.02
88Robert Rick AdamsSignal Hills CA1717
89Shawn CookeWilcox AZ16.7216.72
90Norman SantosRosamond CA16.710.216.51
91Chang Won ParkPalmdale CA16.4916.49
92Larry HolonaLas Vegas NV16.650.216.45
93Jason CaineLas Vegas NV16.620.216.42
94Andrew M. SchadeggReno NV16.1716.17
95Allen ToddGardnerville NV16.1616.16
96Tim DemecsPheonix AZ16.0816.08
97Christian BoruckiScottsdale AZ16.031.8516.03
98Brant ListHuntington Beach CA15.7815.78
99Yasuhiro OkadaLos Angeles CA15.7215.72
100Bryan KlemSan Diego CA15.6715.67
101Butch NesslinePeoria AZ15.6115.61
101Tim S. Wells, Sr.Clovis CA15.6115.61
103James CopeLas Vegas NV15.4615.46
104Bill HartTemecula CA15.341.9815.34
105Rick MeleadYorba Linda CA15.250.215.05
106Julius MazyPhoenix AZ14.9414.94
107Chris MasonSouth Gate CA14.9214.92
108Paul ReutlingerWest Jordan UT14.7414.74
109Stephen WatteCalipatria CA14.614.6
110Patrick McLarenLas Vegas NV14.690.214.49
111Brian GrizzleDahlonega GA14.970.63.3514.37
112Laythe MooreBanning CA14.3314.33
113Dan ZehringGilbert AZ14.2614.26
114Kevin TuckerOntario OR14.2114.21
115Rafael Gonzalez, Jr.Las Vegas NV14.390.214.19
116Larry TriplettAurora CO14.290.22.7314.09
117Oliver MerrickCarpinteria CA13.9313.93
118Mike LeporiSaint Helena CA13.813.8
119Bret NagelhoutRed Rock AZ13.960.213.76
120Phillip HudnallHuntington Beach CA13.7513.75
121Andrew NapoleonMesa AZ13.2813.28
122Jess TorreCorona CA13.1613.16
123Kirk RussellPayson AZ13.520.413.12
124Daniel BonaccorsoConcord, Sydney, NSW12.382.9512.38
125Andy SanchezAntioch CA12.212.2
126Troy BlankenshipOrange CA12.1112.11
127Robert LutesSaugus CA12.0612.06
128Bob KeckLas Vegas NV11.5911.59
129Mark RauenzahnSan Diego CA11.2811.28
130Gunnar StantonBoulder City NV11.2511.25
131Dan CranstonVisalia CA10.7210.72
132Darin GuglielmoSanta Barbara CA10.880.22.1110.68
133Zach Holt10.323.2610.32
134Carson SimsBoerne TX10.2710.27
135Todd DunlapLake Arrowhead CA9.99.9
136Szu Nien YehLas Vegas NV9.699.69
137Vincent AlcantaraGlendale AZ8.838.83
138Sonny GibsonLas Vegas NV7.357.35
139Dave CunninghamHawthorne CA6.986.98
140Ralph WellsCastaic CA6.426.42
141Dino UwanawichCamarillo CA6.256.25
142Tom NguyenLawndale CA2.132.13