Clifford Pirch Leads Day One of 2014 WON Bass U.S. Open
Category: press release
Sep 9th, 2014 by OutdoorsFIRST
Modified Sep 9th, 2014 at 12:00 AM
Clifford Pirch, a two-time U.S. Open champion and multiple time top five finisher in the event has once again astounded the followers of the most prestigious bass fishing event in the Western United States.
On a day ruled by changing weather conditions that saw high temperatures well below last week’s 109 degree heats, Pirch managed to utilize his skills as an angler and his knowledge of the lake to scramble and find the kind of fish that leaves fans and competitors shaking their heads.
Pirch and his AAA partner Ronald Slack Jr. brought a 15.47-pound limit of bass to the scales that included Pirch’s 6.49-pound largemouth; which was the big fish of the day. The performance put Pirch in the driver’s seat to claim his third U.S. Open victory by nearly four pounds over Dixon, Calif. pro Brett Leber, who came to the scales with 11.54 pounds.
Pirch said that his game plan suffered an early demise, and he ran the conditions to improve. “I had a stretch that I thought I could get a pretty strong limit on first thing, but by one o’clock, I still only had seven pounds in the boat,” he said. “I saw the weather changing, and the wind and rain picking up and I started moving around more. Within a couple hours I had caught the big one and two other really good fish that got me to 15 pounds.”
Pirch also said that he had water that he couldn’t fish today because of the conditions. “The water I ran today was all stuff that I had planned on as my B grade tuff, and maybe it turned out to be a little better than I had thought,” he said. “I’ve got some other water that I am planning on running tomorrow and hopefully I will be able to put it together again tomorrow.”
Leber reported using reaction baits and covering a lot of water, but that he did not have the kind of day he had hoped. “I had over 13 pounds in practice on Friday and another good day on Saturday,” he said. “I didn’t do as well today because the wind wasn’t right for my areas – there was too much on it to do what I wanted to do. If I get a little bit better conditions tomorrow, I should be able to improve my weight.”
Following Leber in third place in the standings is longtime Western pro John Morrow from Brea, Calif. with 11.17 pounds, Zack Elrite from San Jose, Calif. is fourth with 10.84 pounds and Todd Woods from San Dimas, Calif. rounds out the top five with 10.80 pounds himself.
As stated before, Slack leads the AAA Division with 15.47 pounds, followed by Tom Nokes with 11.54 pounds in second place. Third place AAA Dale Howard fished with Morrow and had 11.17 pounds, followed by Kirk Beardsley with 10.84 in fourth place and Dominic Amato in fifth place with 10.80 pounds.
Day two of The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open takeoff will occur at Callville Bay Marina on the shores of Lake Mead Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday beginning at 5:45AM, with daily weigh-ins starting at 2:00PM. Following the event’s conclusion on Wednesday, a champion will be crowned at Boulder Station Casino the final evening of the event.
Daily event coverage will begin following tournament take off with hourly updates at 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM each day, followed by weigh-in coverage beginning at 2:00PM and finally a 7:00PM post game show; all show times are Pacific Standard Time and can be viewed at www.wonbass.com.
The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open Live Webcast is presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event is also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Bridgford Foods, Daiwa, Seaguar, Plano Molding, Cousins Tackle, YoZuri, Pro Mar, Eagle Claw TroKar, Lowrance, St.Croix Rods, Frabill, Okuma, Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits, Reactor, Zip Baits, Big Hammer, Fishing for Adoption, Global Fish Mounts, A&M Graphics, Savage Gear and Storm
2014 U.S. Open Day One Standings – Pro Division
Place Name Hometown Weight Penalty Big Fish Total
1 Clifford Pirch Payson AZ 15.47 6.49 15.47
2 Brett Allen Leber Dixon CA 11.54 4.03 11.54
3 John Morrow Brea CA 11.17 3.25 11.17
4 Zachary Elrite San Jose CA 11.04 0.2 3.33 10.84
5 Todd Woods San Dimas CA 10.8 2.86 10.8
6 Johnny Johnson Lakeside AZ 10.17 10.17
7 Joe Uribe, Jr. Surprise AZ 10.07 2.7 10.07
8 Shawn Lee Arroyo Grande CA 9.89 2.93 9.89
9 Chris Kinley Lake Havasue City AZ 9.82 3.79 9.82
10 Mark Rauenzahn San Diego CA 9.81 5.65 9.81
11 Luke Clausen 9.78 9.78
12 Kona Borja Henderson NV 9.75 3.69 9.75
13 Jesse Slaton Klamath Falls OR 9.69 9.69
14 Philip Roesener Parowan UT 9.51 4.16 9.51
15 Jeffrey Scott Allen Flagstaff AZ 9.28 3.78 9.28
16 Bill O’Shinn Bakersfield CA 9.47 0.2 3.47 9.27
17 Garrett Howard Riverside CA 9.45 0.2 9.25
18 Guy Savidan Yorba Linda CA 9.17 9.17
19 Kevin Stewart Elk Grove CA 9.16 9.16
20 Josh Polfer Nampa ID 9 9
21 Jay Guterding Redding CA 8.96 8.96
22 Michael McLernon Oceanside CA 8.95 2.64 8.95
23 Gabe Bolivar Ramona CA 8.84 8.84
23 Chris Bozarth Henderson NV 8.84 2.82 8.84
25 Dave Wendrich Elko NV 8.78 8.78
26 Randy Blaukat Joplin MO 8.74 8.74
27 Jiggs Benn Myrtle Creek OR 8.46 8.46
28 Scott Canterbury 8.42 2.83 8.42
29 Douglas Minor Riverside CA 8.4 8.4
30 Zack Holwerda Phoenix AZ 8.37 8.37
31 Gary Dobyns Live Oak CA 8.36 8.36
32 Joseph Raftery Las Vegas NV 8.31 2.52 8.31
33 Cody Compton Palisade CO 8.3 8.3
34 Don Iovino Burbank CA 8.26 8.26
34 Tommy Jonovich Phoenix AZ 8.26 8.26
36 Cody Meyer Grass Valley CA 8.24 8.24
37 Bill Brown Grand Junction CO 8.23 3.16 8.23
38 Pete Marino Moreno Valley CA 8.21 8.21
38 Gunnar Stanton Boulder City NV 8.21 8.21
40 Marco Valdez Richland WA 8.17 8.17
41 Cody Spetz Menifee CA 8.32 0.2 8.12
42 Jamie Cyphers Cedar City UT 8.06 8.06
42 Wade Strelic El Cajon CA 8.06 8.06
44 Marvin Barellano Monterey Park CA 8.05 2.15 8.05
45 Donnie Scroggins Kingman AZ 8.03 3.12 8.03
46 Jay Yelas Carvallis OR 7.97 7.97
47 Gary Pinholster Lake Havasu City AZ 7.79 4.84 7.79
48 Ben Byrd Moab UT 7.76 7.76
49 Kyle Grover Trabuco Canyon CA 7.74 2.18 7.74
49 Wade Headrick Herriman UT 7.74 7.74
49 Travis Richards Henderson NV 7.74 7.74
52 Ray Arbesu Henderson NV 7.9 0.2 2.79 7.7
53 John Noble Adair Village OR 7.67 3.68 7.67
54 Andrew Napoleon Mesa AZ 7.65 7.65
55 Robert Lee Altaville CA 7.64 7.64
56 Chris Gosselaar Clovis CA 7.61 3.72 7.61
57 Rich Tauber Camarillo CA 7.58 7.58
58 Rusty Salewske Alpine CA 7.57 7.57
59 Steve Molinari Waddell AZ 7.71 0.2 7.51
60 Todd Herman Gilbert AZ 7.48 7.48
61 Tom Lowery Santee CA 7.47 2.89 7.47
62 Mike Rennie Pioche NV 7.66 0.2 7.46
63 Paul Hodges Glendale AZ 7.44 7.44
63 Scott Davis Preston ID 7.64 0.2 7.44
65 Douglas Jones North Las vegas NV 7.63 0.2 1.88 7.43
66 Scott Helleson Whittier CA 7.39 7.39
67 Tony Lain Menifee CA 7.38 7.38
68 Matt Shura Gilbert AZ 7.57 0.2 7.37
69 Jason Borofka Salinas CA 7.34 7.34
70 Gary Freeman Las Vegas NV 7.22 7.22
71 Brent James St George UT 7.21 7.21
72 Cody Murray Nampa ID 7.14 7.14
73 Jon Griffith Mesa AZ 7.1 7.1
74 Mike Caruso Peoria AZ 7.06 7.06
75 Jimmy Reese Ukiah CA 6.99 6.99
76 Mike Brillhart Waddell AZ 6.89 6.89
77 Stephen Pike Las Vegas NV 6.88 6.88
78 Daniel Price II San Diego CA 6.84 6.84
79 Ryan Kjellberg Yucaipa CA 6.76 6.76
80 Roy Hawk Lake Havasu City AZ 6.93 0.2 6.73
81 Danny Moraga Hesperia CA 6.91 0.2 6.71
82 Tom Leedom Escondido CA 6.68 6.68
83 Neil Flores Menifee CA 6.67 6.67
84 John Murray Phoenix AZ 6.66 6.66
85 Keith Espe Phoenix AZ 6.65 6.65
86 David Kemper Tempe AZ 6.82 0.2 6.62
87 John Mackey Boulder City NV 6.77 0.2 6.57
88 Josh Rhodes Lake Havasu City AZ 6.54 6.54
89 Ricky Shabazz Rialto CA 6.53 6.53
90 William “Billy” Skinner Carlsbad CA 6.5 6.5
91 Sean Coffey Mesa AZ 6.42 6.42
92 Jim Moynagh Carver MN 6.41 6.41
93 Mark Poe Coolidge AZ 6.4 6.4
94 John Weisfuss Oxnard CA 6.79 0.4 6.39
95 Randy Estrada, M.D. Corona CA 6.37 6.37
96 Kenichi Tanaka Minamikawachigun 6.18 6.18
97 Mike Folkestad Villa Park CA 6.14 6.14
98 Rob Erautt Yucaipa CA 6.1 6.1
99 Oscar Torrado Mira Loma CA 6.05 6.05
100 Chris Studinger San Marcos CA 6 6
101 Dick Watson Alta Loma CA 5.97 3.37 5.97
102 Steven Bowlin Coolidge AZ 5.94 5.94
103 Adam East San Diego CA 5.83 5.83
104 Kody “Bucky” Leigh Yuma AZ 5.79 5.79
105 Kevin Caruso Glendale AZ 5.97 0.2 5.77
106 George Kramer Lake Elsinore CA 5.95 0.2 5.75
106 Clayton Meyer Henderson NV 5.75 5.75
108 Murray White Glendale AZ 5.73 5.73
109 Devin McDonald Las Vegas NV 5.7 5.7
110 Don Gage Grizzly Flats CA 5.62 5.62
111 Brent Becker Henderson NV 5.43 5.43
112 Keith Beever Mission Viejo CA 5.54 0.2 5.34
113 Peter Manfrina Lompoc CA 5.32 5.32
114 Larry Triplett Aurora CO 5.12 5.12
115 Ken Whalen Lompoc CA 5.02 5.02
116 Andy Manahl Mesa AZ 5.01 5.01
117 Don McBride Roosevelt AZ 5 5
117 Jeff Rutt Winchester CA 5 5
119 Vern Ridgway Chandler AZ 4.91 4.91
120 Shaun Bailey Lake Havasu City AZ 4.64 4.64
121 Klayton Belden El Cajon CA 4.53 4.53
122 Steve Pool Weldon CA 4.48 4.48
123 Keith Ferlanie Henderson NV 4.46 4.46
124 Raymond Archer Greeley CO 4.45 4.45
125 Jamie Shaw Coolidge AZ 4.44 4.44
126 Jim Hawkes Apache Junction AZ 4.38 4.38
127 Jim Jared Dolan Springs AZ 4.22 4.22
128 Marco Fenelli San Diego CA 4.1 4.1
129 Justin Hanold Poway CA 4.05 4.05
130 Elliott Holsbo Lakeside CA 3.93 3.93
131 Edward John Tustin CA 3.89 3.89
132 Mark Lassagne San Ramon CA 3.8 3.8
133 Brian Carnahan Flagstaff AZ 3.67 0.2 3.47
134 Ernie Stumpf Carrollton TX 3.45 3.45
135 Rusty Brown Tustin CA 3.38 3.38
136 Ed Arledge Valley Center CA 3.35 3.35
137 Dylan Maxon Phoenix AZ 3.25 3.25
138 Bill Griffith Ventura CA 3.24 3.24
139 Travis Jewell Sandy UT 3.4 0.2 3.2
140 Fred Krumsiek Glendale AZ 3.12 3.12
141 Bill Craig Ivins UT 3.09 1.91 3.09
142 Josh Bertrand Gilbert AZ 3.07 3.07
143 Mooseok Park 3.02 3.02
144 Michael Phua Chino CA 2.98 2.98
145 Anthony Tatzel Kingman AZ 2.92 2.92
146 Robert Schoessler Henderson NV 2.86 2.86
147 Bobby Lanham Cave Creek AZ 2.85 2.85
148 Melvin Williams Chula Vista CA 2.6 2.6
149 Tony Richards Oceanside CA 2.33 2.33
150 Neil Campbell Mirrietta CA 2.3 2.3
151 Kevin Gross Claremont CA 2.28 2.28
152 Sam Rosefsky 2.27 2.27
153 Timothy Irwin LaVerne CA 2.2 2.2
154 Claude Sims Boerne TX 2.14 2.14
155 Matt Nadeau Grass Valley CA 2.08 2.08
156 Justin Patti Phoenix AZ 1.84 1.84
157 Jim Elliott Redding CA 1.5 1.5
158 Jason Burchfield Las Vegas NV 1.11 1.11
158 Ron Hammett La Mesa CA 1.11 1.11
160 Norman Santos Rosamond CA 1.06 1.06
161 Chris Morris Wingman AZ 1.04 1.04
161 David Coy Porterville CA 0 0
161 Steve Gibson Las Vegas NV 0 0
161 Billy Hines Vacaville CA 0 0
161 Michael Rigney Janesville CA 0 0
161 Ed Shaver Lake Havasu City AZ 0 0
161 Young “Bradley” Yang 0 0