SHASTA LAKE, Calif. – While most anglers were catching 30 to 45 bass during Day 1 of the CITGO Bassmaster Western Open, Fred Roumbanis – the leader of the day – secured his 13-pound-plus bag by catching fewer than nine fish.
“I decided that to be in the final day competition, I needed to concentrate on fewer fish, but bigger fish in the first two days,” said Roumbanis, 27. “I needed to get one or two large fish so I could round out the balance of my limit with good, but smaller fish.”
The Auburn, Calif., angler was throwing large swim baits, hoping to entice suspended bass to come up from the deep water and strike. While other anglers reported hooking numerous fish in an hour, Roubanis only hooked one fish every hour and a half. His technique was enough to edge second-place Cameron Smith, 29, of Dana Point, Calif., who had 11-8. Smith was just four ounces ahead of third place Jared Lintner, who won the CITGO Bassmaster Western Open on Clear Lake last month.
Smith took his first three fish of the day within 20 minutes with a topwater bait. “I really love fishing this lake and even if you don't catch a big fish, the scenery, people in the area and the numbers of fish you can catch make this a great time and a great tournament stop.” he said.
Meanwhile, Lintner of Arroyo Grande, Calif., is searching for back-to-back Open wins. “Action first thing this morning was absolutely on fire,” he said. “In the first 10 minutes, I had my two largest fish of the day. I spent the rest of my day catching and culling the 35 to 45 fish I caught on a variety of baits.”
After Day 2, only the top 35 boaters and non-boaters will fish the last day, with their weights carrying over. The winning boater takes home a $50,000 prize package and the winning non-boater takes a Triton boat with Mercury motor valued at $25,000.
This is the last of three Western Opens that will send the top 15 boaters and non-boaters in the points standings to the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship on the Alabama River, Dec. 1-4, in Prattville, Ala. The top five boaters from that tournament advance to the 2006 CITGO Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 24-26, on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla.
Location and Field
CITGO Bassmaster Western Open
Shasta Lake
Lake Shasta, Calif.
Nov.17-19, 2005
Field
Cut to 35 after Day 2
Launch
Bridge Bay Marina
10300 Bridge Bay Road
Redding, Calif., 96003
Weigh-in
Bridge Bay Marina
10300 Bridge Bay Road
Redding, Calif., 96003
Local sponsors: Local sponsors include the Shasta Lake Chamber of Commerce and Phil’s Propellers.
Bassmaster Open Series sponsors: CITGO Petroleum Corp., Toyota, Busch Beer, Purolator, Triton Boats, Mercury Marine, Berkley, Lowrance Electronics, MotorGuide, Bass Pro Shops and Cialis (tadalafil).
BASS is the worldwide authority on bass fishing, sanctioning more than 20,000 events through the BASS Federation annually. Guided by its mission to serve all fishing fans, BASS sets the standard for credibility, professionalism, sportsmanship and conservation, as it has for nearly 40 years.
BASS stages bass fishing tournaments for every skill level and culminates with the CITGO Bassmaster Classic. Through its clubs, youth programs, aquatic resource advocacy, magazine publishing and multimedia platforms, BASS offers the industry's widest array of services and support to its nearly 550,000 members. The organization is headquartered in Celebration, Fla.
For more information, contact BASS Communications at (407) 566-2208 or visit www.bassmaster.com.
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