LAKE HAVASU, Ariz. (Feb. 20, 2008) - Pro Brian Nollar of Homer, Alaska, caught a five-bass limit weighing 14 pounds, 14 ounces Wednesday to lead opening day of the Stren Series Western Division bass fishing tournament on Lake Havasu.
"I thought I had it all figured out and it all changed today," said Nollar. "I struggled in the morning until we found an area where there were some fish up. I covered water, probably making 800 casts."
Nollar caught 12 bass and was able to cull four of them; he felt his choice of lure was a big factor in his success today.
"It's going to be a matter of me making the right decisions in the next two days to make the cut. I have the whole family down from Alaska for a month and that's my vacation. It's exciting."
Rounding out the top five pros are Tim Wilsterman of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (five bass, 14-02); Terrence Rath of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (five bass, 14-01); Shaun Bailey of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (five bass, 13-14); and Robert Lee of Angels Camp, Calif. (five bass, 13-14).
Brandon Ober earned $250 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Pro Division thanks to a 5-pound, 2-ounce bass.
Overall there were 391 bass weighing 865 pounds, 1 ounce caught by 155 pros Wednesday. The catch included 37 five-bass limits.
Tony Zanotelli of Redding, Calif., leads the Co-angler Division in the chase for a top award of $35,000, including a 198VX Ranger if contingency guidelines are met. He caught five bass weighing 13-00 while fishing with pro David Rush of Palermo, Calif., who is currently in 81st place. "We didn't fish in any of the areas where I prefished," said Zanotelli. "Actually, I caught more fish today fishing a different style than I did in all four days of prefishing."
Zanotelli used a very slow presentation with a variety of soft plastics. Giving credit to his location for catching his limit today, he felt there was less pressure in their area, making the fish willing to eat.
"The pro I had today had some pretty good water and there were fish in there."
Rounding out the top five co-anglers are Sean Kimble of San Leandro, Calif. (five bass, 10-11); Austin Ziemann of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. (four bass, 10-09); Gayle Janes of Bermuda Dunes, Calif. (five bass, 9-13); and Michael Wright of Grass Valley, Calif. (four bass, 9-03). Mike Krnaich earned $131 for the Snickers Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division thanks to a 4-pound bass.
Overall there were 222 bass weighing 461 pounds, 8 ounces caught by 155 co-anglers Wednesday. The catch included six five-bass limits.