Las Vegas - The WON BASS U.S. Open of bass fishing, the longest running, richest bass tournament West of the Rockies, will once again pit the world’s top anglers against the challenging waters of Lake Mead from August 27 through September 2.
Now in its 27th year, the U.S. Open has made many heroes and tested the mettle of hundreds of anglers over the past two decades. Drawing contestants from the United States, Australia, Korea, Japan, and Mexico, the U.S. Open has been the proving grounds for many of today’s top fishermen. The nation’s tops pros, including Aaron Martens, Rick Clunn, John Murray, Brett Ehrler, Jay Yelas, Ish Monroe, Gabe Bolivar, Art Berry, Byron Velvick and Skeet Reese and top notch West Coast talent like Mike Folkestad, Gary Dobyns, Sean Stafford, Shaun Bailey, Justin Kerr and Mike Rooke have all tried their hand at this ultimate test of angling endurance.
“This is the toughest tournament to win in all of bass fishing,” notes Rick Clunn, voted by ESPN viewers as the all time greatest angler. No truer statement could be made, and Clunn should know, he’s won the event twice.
U.S. Open anglers compete against each other during the peak of the scorching summer heat and also have to contend with desert winds that can turn Lake Mead’s vast waterway into a tempest at any time of the day.
It is all worth it though, as the pro who finishes at the top of the 2009 WON BASS U.S. Open leader board will walk away with a prize package valued at $100,000. This includes upgradeable certificates for a brand new Nitro Z8 boat & trailer equipped with a Mercury ProXS 225 hp motor, Lowrance electronics, MotorGuide trolling motor, a guaranteed $50,000 cash (more if the field grows), and a one-of-a-kind U.S. Open Championship ring. The U.S. Open features a shared weight format that combines the catch of the Pro and the AAA partner drawn each night before competition. The AAA champion at the 2009 U.S. Open will take home a cool $10,000 cash.
Anglers can also score cash by hitting one of the daily U.S. Open jackpots. The five biggest fish caught each day will be worth $2,000 each for a total of $30,000 in big fish cash. The big fish payout does not end there, however, as the overall biggest fish of the 2009 U.S. Open will win a week-long Forever Resorts houseboat trip on Lake Mead valued at $5,000. In addition, daily big stringer awards will provide cash for both the pro and AAA angler, with each taking home a check for $2,500. This brings the total U.S. Open jackpots –all of which are included in the entry fee of $1600 for a pro and $600 for AAA – to $45,000.
U.S. Open anglers will be treated to the ever popular Sponsors Showcase to be held at the Las Vegas Bass Pro Shops on Sunday, August 30 from 9 to 11 a.m., that allows anglers to meet and mingle with event sponsors while sampling products from these manufacturers. Afterwareds, anglers and the public will be invited to attend seminars held at Bass Pro Shops headlined by Rick Clunn, Aaron Martens, Mike Folkestad, Byron Velvick, and Rich Tauber – anglers with 10 U.S. Open titles between them.
Other events surrounding the U.S. Open include a Saturday evening poker tournament held at the Sunset Station for U.S. Open anglers and event sponsors. A Tuesday morning Ladies Crazy Bowling event will be available to angler’s spouses. Bus service from the Sunset Station will transport spectators and spouses to the daily weigh-ins, which will be held on the three tournament days - Aug. 31 through Sept. 2 — starting at 2pm. Daily tournament updates and standings will appear during the event online at www.wonews.com and the official WON BASS website at www.wonbass.com.
The 2009 WON BASS U.S. Open will be hosted out of the Sunset Station Hotel in Henderson Nevada. The Sunset Station has special room rates starting at $39 per night for U.S. Open contestants. Participants and family may secure these special rates by calling the Sunset Station at (888) 786-7389 and mentioning WON BASS U.S. Open. The Sunset features 400 deluxe rooms, secured 24 hour charging facilities for bass boats, and a host of other amenities that will appeal to anglers and their families.
The U.S. Open is sponsored by Nitro Boats, Mercury Marine, Bass Pro Shops, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Sunset Station Hotel & Casino, Costa Del Mar Sunglasses, Ardent Reels, Plano, Trolling Motor Doctor, Forever Resorts, Dobyns Rods, Heddon Lures, Owner Hooks, Jackall Lures, Zip Baits, Seaguar Line, Optimum Baits, Sunline, Quantum Rods & Reels, Anglers Marine, Woody Wax, Sebile Lures, Yo-Zuri Line, and Callville Bay Marina.
Pro entry fee is $1,600 while the AAA entry fee is $600 for the 2009 U.S. Open. AAA anglers who sign up with a pro will be guaranteed a spot in the contest while those who sign up solo will be placed on a waiting list and taken on a first come, first serve basis. For more information on the 2009 WON BASS U.S. Open, please contact WON BASS Tournament Director Bill Hutcheson at (949) 366-0030 ext 29 or Ashley Reynolds, the WON BASS Coordinator at (949) 366-0030 ext 38. You may also obtain a U.S. Open entry form by logging on to www.wonbass.com .
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