2021 WON Bass U.S. Open Preview Field Readies for Changing Conditions by Dan O’Sullivan

2021 WON Bass U.S. Open Preview
Field Readies for Changing Conditions
by Dan O’Sullivan

Las Vegas, Nev. – October 10, 2021 – Fall tournaments can be tricky.  From an angling perspective, fall presents a time of transition where shorter nights and cooler temperatures cause baitfish to begin to move, which spurs a nomadic response in feeding bass.  This urgency to move can cause schools of fish to become aggressive, vulnerable to presentation, but also difficult to stay in contact with as they can be here one minute and gone the next.

From a weather perspective, the fall can create logistical challenges for event organizers.  As is the case for the 2021 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Bass Cat Boats and Mercury.  The desert can be a beautiful, but cruel mistress, and from all predictions, the weather for the opening day may feature very heavy winds and small craft warnings for the Lake Mead area.

With the safety of the anglers in mind, tournament officials are closely monitoring the situation and will make decisions as it warrants.  Bill Egan, Director of events for WON Bass said that the safety of competitors is paramount.  “Obviously, none of us want to see a day of a prestigious event like the WON Bass U.S. Open cancelled, but we are committed to safety first,” said Egan.  “With winds to 40MPH predicted for day one, we will assess the situation and make decisions as needed, but we hope we don’t have to make that call.”

Practice has revealed that Lake Mead may be a little stingier this year than usual.  While the past several years have produced slightly heavier winning weights, the challenges of the winds and the lower water levels may create close quarters fishing for the anglers.  But someone always figures out the pattern, no matter the conditions.

One of those hoping to do so is Runnemede, NJ pro Mike Iaconelli who is competing in his first U.S. Open.  Having won nearly every major title there is in bass fishing, the 2003 Bassmaster Classic Champion said being in this field is something is a dream come true.  “I’m a Basshead, and this is a tournament I’ve followed, and wanted to fish for many years,” he said.  “In fact, the history of the tournament is so important to me, that I really feel that I couldn’t have imagined my career being complete without having been in this field – it’s an important event, I’m proud to be fishing it, and supporting Bass Cat’s support of the U.S. Open and The West.”

From a fishing perspective, Iaconelli can only draw from his few days on the surface of Lake Mead.  “It’s a different fishery in stunning landscape, but it’s not easy to find quality bites,” he said.  “It’s historically been a low weight event, and growing up fishing the Delaware River, I’m comfortable fishing these types of events, we’ll just have to get out there and see what happens.”

Tim Klinger, the 2020 WON Bass U.S. Open Champion, said that it should be different than year’s past.  “The low water level will have an effect, but I think the wind is going to make it fish smaller,” he said.  “The field won’t have too many areas to completely hide from the wind, and those areas that are protected will get a lot of traffic.”

He said that the conditions should result in a lower weight.  “It could be a smaller weight event this year,” said Klinger.  “I’ve checked some of the stuff I’ve done well on in the past, and I’m not seeing the fish that I’ve seen in the past, but I will keep looking, play the wind and do whatever I need to do to have a chance to repeat.”

Weather permitting, the first day of the 2021 WON Bass US Open is scheduled to commence October 11 and on October 12 and 13 at safe light, with daily weigh-ins from Callville Bay Marina on Lake Mead beginning approximately 2:00PM Pacific.  Should any day be cancelled due to unsafe conditions, the event will be shortened by a day.

On the final day, the pro winner will receive the keys to a 2021 Bass Cat Puma FTD powered by a Mercury Pro XS 250 Four Stroke outboard valued at $64,000 and cash prizes.  The live weigh-in broadcast, presented by Life Source Water Systems will bring you the weigh-in at Callville Bay Marina, access the activity at http://www.wonbassevents.com, and on the WON Bass Facebook page.

The Sponsors of the 2021 U.S. Open are: Bass Cat Boats, Mercury, HUK Performance Fishing, KUIU, Phenix Rods, Daiwa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Seaguar Fluorcarbon, Lew’s, Strike King, Power Pole, Life Source Water Systems, Gamakatsu, Lowrance, Next Gen Lithium, Century Marine, Costa, Anglers Marine, San Juan Marine, Boatmasters, Last Chance Performance Marine, Huntington Beach Honda, Sure Life, Chevron / Techron Marine and Access Parks. 

Pro Roster can be found below.

2021 WON Bass U.S. Open Pro Roster