ESPN Opens

What's at stake

$224,032 in total prize money, plus 15 berths into the CITGO Bassmaster Open Championship. The top five boaters at the Open Championship will earn berths into the CITGO Bassmaster Classic, Feb. 24-26, on Lake Tohopekaliga in Kissimmee, Fla.

The pros said it

"This is going to be one very interesting tournament. The lake has been hit hard every weekend with a large numbers of boats in tournaments and it has made the fish a little more wary for many anglers. This is a great lake and you're going to see some large fish caught by anglers who can adapt throughout the day. If they work them right, they will catch fish." — Two-time Classic qualifier Ishama Monroe, 31, Hughson, Calif.

"Practice was a little slow. The lake is in transition with the water temperatures around 65 to 67 degrees. If the water was warmer, fishing would be better and if the water was cooler, it would also be better. But that does not mean fish are not going to be caught. I had a strike today from a fish that felt like it shattered my fishing rod and slapped my shoulder. I put an 'X' on the water and told the fish I would be back tomorrow." — BASS pro Jim Reese, 40, Witter Springs, Calif.

"Fish are really scattered and it's difficult to establish a pattern on them. I did find a better size of fish deeper, but my dad Monty Fralick found better action in shallow water then I did. Fish are going to be found from 2 feet to 22 feet and everywhere in between." — One-time Classic contender Jami Fralick, Martin, S.D.

"I love this lake. It's full of fish and I feel it's the bass capital of the West. You're going to see fish at the end of the day that could be in the 10-pound class. In this tournament, I'm fishing for points to get into the Classic in Florida. I'm not saying I don't want to win, but I'm trying to position myself for the Classic." — John Murray, 31, Phoenix, Ariz., who has earned nearly $220,000 on the BASS circuit and is in second place in the points standings.

The strategy

Monroe: He has 15 Daiwa rods rigged with every bait he can think of. Some are set with 6-pound test line for light finesse fishing and others have 80-pound test line and big, deep running baits for monster bass.

Reese: He is looking for a good takeoff at the beginning of the day and plans to fish a few favorite spots before other anglers can get to them. Then, Reese will run and gun for fish all over the lake. He plans to work shallow and deep, looking for shad to help lead the way.

Fralick: Fralick will throw lures with exposed hooks in an effort to present something the fish rarely see. With pressure on the lake in the last month - with more than 300 boats on the water in different tournaments — Fralick wants to offer something different.

Murray: With 15 rods rigged with everything from a worm and drop shot to a crank bait and spinner bait, Murray feels he can earn enough points to qualify for the Open Championship, which will send five anglers to CITGO Bassmaster Classic on Lake Tohopekaliga, Feb.24-26, 2006. But if he has a good position after two days of competition, he'll make a run for first place.

Location and field

CITGO Bassmaster Western Open
Clear Lake
Lakeport, Calif.
Oct.13-15, 2005

Field
Cut to 50 after Day 2

Launch
Konocti Vista Resort & Marina
2755 Mission Rancheria Road
Lakeport, Calif. 95453

Weigh-in
Konocti Vista Resort & Marina
2755 Mission Rancheria Road
Lakeport, Calif. 95453

Background

Previous BASS events
2004 California CITGO Bassmaster Open
2003 California Western Open
2003 California Showdown
2002 California Western Open
2000 California Invitational

Previous winners on lake
48-14 Zachary Thompson, 2004
48-14 Mark Tyler, 2003
71-12 Alton Jones, 2003
67-15 Aaron Martens, 2002
83-5 Byron Velvick, 2000

Heaviest winning sack
83-5 Byron Velvick, 2000

Lowest winning sack
48-14 Zachary Thompson, 2004
48-14 Mark Tyler, 2003

Weather

Temperature
85 degrees, sunny and clear

Lake level
1,321.71 feet above sea level

Local sponsors

Local sponsors include the Konocti Vista Casino Resort and Marina.

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).

Boater list

Alaska
Tom Perkins - Sitka
William Huntington - Sitka

Arizona
Andre Moore - Scottsdale
Anthony Marsh - Chino Valley
Anthony Marsh - Chino Valley
Brett Hite - Phoenix
Ed Cummings - Tucson
John Murray - Phoenix
Leo Carrillo - Tuscon
Mark Tyler - Scottsdale
Ron Colby - Page
Roy Brooks - Mesa

California
Aaron Coleman - Oakland
Alton Forthe - Benicia
Armando Perez - Lincoln
Bernie Gaunt - West Sacramento
Bob Myskey - Nice
Brad Lewis - Redding
Bret Gouvea - Redding
Brett Leber - Dixon
Cameron Smith - Dana Point
Chad Dwyer - Granite Bay
Chad Martin - Sacramento
Charlie Weyer - West Hills
Cj Cameron - San Jose
Dan Castelhano - Fremont
Darrin Bishop - Paso Robles
Darron Hage - Cloverdale
David Pereira - Modesto
Dewayne Bonham - Brentwood
Dick Watson - Alta Loma
Don Iovino - Burbank
Donald Davis - Brentwood
Ed Arledge - San Diego
Fred Roumbanis - Auburn
Fred Todd - Fort Bragg
Garrett Charter - Chico
Gary Boyd - Reseda
Gary Dobyns - Yuba City
Gary Howell - Stockton
Gary Thomas - Tracy
George Galletti - Martinez
Greg Gutierrez - Red Bluff
Harry Jioras - Laverne
Howard Hughes - Redding
Ishama Monroe - Hughson
James Opalecky - Elk Grove
James Taylor - Madera
Jared Lintner - Arroyo Grande
Jerred Jennings - Stockton
Jerry Fischer - Lincoln
Jerry Fournier - Roseville
Jim Davis - San Jose
Jim Reese - Witter Springs
Joe Spraggins - Madera
John Alimpic - Angwin
Jose Juarez - Finley
Justin Kerr - Semi Valley
K Neff - Ontario
Keith Bryan - Novato
Ken Cassettari - Alamo
Ken Eddy - Madera
Kent Brown - Roseville
Lajos Draviczki - Ontario
Larry Brower - Cottonwood
Leroy Bertolero - El Macero
Lonnie Woodlief - Brentwood
Lyndelle Mccullough - Modesto
Mark Hinson - San Luis Obispo
Mark Naillon - San Jose
Matt Miley - Campbell
Michael Augusto - Citrus Heights
Michael Bennett - Roseville
Michael Tuck - Antelope
Mick Karshner - Fresno
Mike Campbell - Oak View
Mike Kirk - Redding
Mike Knight - Bakersfield
Mike O'shea - Westlake Village
Neil Campbell - Fallbrook
R J Bennett - Roseville
Rich Tauber - Camarillo
Rick Kendrick - Sacramento
Ricky Shabazz - Rialto
Robert Lee - Angels Camp
Robert Simard - Sutter
Robert Stephens - Clearlake Oaks
Rod Lee - San Ramon
Rodney Reed - Bakersfield
Rus Snyders - San Mateo
Russ Meyer - Redding
Scott Head - Knightsen
Scott Mascadri - Sacramento
Scott Mcclaskey - Chico
Sean Stafford - Fairfield
Shawn Lewis - Burney
Shawn Porter - Fresno
Sieg Taylor - Fresno
Skeet Reese - Auburn
Steve Geffs - Antelope
Steve Klein - Oroville
Steve Larussa - San Jose
Steve Tosh - Modesto
Tim Cooke - Lakeport
Tim Edington - Bakersfield
Tim Higbee - Santa Cruz
Troy Collier - Sacramento
Vince Hurtado - Waterford
Wayne Breazeale - Kelseyville
Wayne Hinrichs - Novato
William Hines Jr. - Dixon
Zachary Thompson - Orinda

Colorado
Don Cox - Colorado Springs

Florida
Greg Hall - Crystal River

Idaho
Anthony Klonowski - Eagle
Bill Pryor - Caldwell
Brent Shores - Boise
Eric Mcfarland - Meridian
Hal Zimmerman - Boise
Neil Russell - Nampa
Russ Barger - Boise

Japan
Uesas Province - Shinya

Kentucky
Jumpei Kato - Bowling Green

Mexico
Morineau Province - Raul

New Mexico
Frank Boothe - Albaqueque

Nevada
Brent Lyon - Reno
Byron Velvick - Boulder City
Chuck English - Las Vegas
Clyde Evans - Las Vegas
Daryl Dempsey - Las Vegas
Jay Pennington - Las Vegas
John Wiggin - Henderson
Ken Mercurio - Sparks
Mike Bird - Tonopah
Rob Wenning - Sparks

New York
Keith Allen - Theresa

Oregon
Dave Palmer - Roseburg
Frank Morton - Madras
Jiggs Benn - Myrtle Creek
Larry Hutchens - Durham

South Dakota
Jami Fralick - Martin
Monty Fralick - Martin

Utah
Roy Hawk - Salt Lake City

Washington
Bruce Ratchford - Kennewick
James Broberg - Spokane
John Neudorfer - Spokane
John Semken - Olympia
Kelly Kellogg - Kelso
Randy Potter - Camas
Robert Adkinson - Kennewick
Sean Minderman - Spokane
Stephen Garcia - Battleground

Non-Boater list

Australia
Bain Province - Kim

Arizona
David Kiesgen - Peoria
Jim Hawkes - A.J.
Karl Beltz - Tucson
Lawrence Sifert - Scottsdale
Lewis Southard - Chandler
Mark White - Tucson

California
Adam Mcandrews - St. Clarie
Alejandro Arellano - El Monte
Alex Ochoa - Los Angeles
Andrew Sanchez - Antioch
Andy Loberg - Rocklin
Anthony Ragone - Tracy
Arthur Taylor - Rancho Cucamonga
Barry Mccoy - Castro Valley
Bill Caldera - Sonora
Brandon Sapp - Angwin
Brandon Silvey - Modesto
Brian Stafford - Fairfield
Brian Trusso - Covina
Byron Stone - Paradise
Carl Herrick - Novato
Carl Limbrick - San Diego
Chris O"Brien - Tracy
Chris Zaldain - San Jose
Christopher Dixon - Northridge
Clarence Pinkerton - Lakehead
Cody Meyer - Grass Valley
Craig Stewart - Forestville
Cris Vanclef - Mountainview
Dale Taft - Lancaster
Dan Cranston - San Andreas
Dennis Sisto - Elk Grove
Don Draskovich - Lomita
Don Moore - Ukiah
Doug Jones - Nevada City
Douglas Engh - Valencia
Ed Schneider - Stockton
Eddie Fletcher - Elk Grove
Eric Martin - Yuba City
Frank Brewer - Chico
Garry Wilson - Tracy
Gary Davison - Susanville
Gary Haraguchi - Half Moon Bay
Gary Morris - Tracy
George Azevedo - Hilmar
George Fedor - Yucaipa
George Meyers - Manteca
George Thiel - Banning
Grant Olguin - San Ramon
Greg Kosich - Alamo
Greig Sniffen - Campbell
Jack Farage - Discovery Bay
James Cadell - Escalon
James Day - Kelseyville
James Scott - Carson
Jason Ballew - Hollister
Jason Hemminger - Oxnard
Jeff Billings - Clearlake
Jeff Larson - Reseda
Jeremy Anderson - Livermore
Jim Valladares - West Covina
Joe Kopp - Redwood City
John Bitting - Westminster
John Donnelly - Discovery Bay
John Johnson - Lemoore
John Sherak - Tracy
John Steinhilber - Simi Valley
Jonas Lowery - Anderson
Justin Baldasano - San Jose
Keith Cloward - San Diego
Kelly Sprague - Salinas
Kirk Lizama - Riverbank
Larry Weaver - Long Beach
Lawrence Janes - Bermuda Dunes
Lee Poel - San Jose
Len Kovats - Wheatland
Leon Knight - Tehachapi
Mark Torrez - Camarillo
Martin Dehaven - Fresno
Martin Lager - Brentwood
Marvin Dixon - Willits
Matt Larson - Stockton
Merl Nunes - Vacaville
Michael Bowman - Clovis
Michael Martinez - Alameda
Michael Tobey - Vacaville
Mike Heath - Tracy
Mike Nunnally - Santa Rosa
Pat Wilson - Penngrove
Paul Bailey - Agora Hills
Paul Love - San Jose
Pete Howell - Roseville
Ralph Wells - Castaic
Randy Bruno - Huntington Beach
Randy Yeager - Clear Lake Oaks
Ray Beck - Eureka
Rich Caro - Santa Rosa
Richard Bumpus - Redwood Valley
Richard Hamilton - Ripon
Richard Mattson - Napa
Rick Degaetano - Haward
Rick Spinney - Manteca
Robert Higgins - Clearlake Oaks
Robert Kaib - Concord
Robert Stephens - Clearlake Oaks
Robert Vann - Standard
Rommel Bagay - Concord
Ron Walston - Napa
Ronald Mukai - Clovis
Russ Greenlee - Sacramento
Russell Schmidt - Martinez
Russell Stansbury - Santa Rosa
Russell Stringfellow - Livermore
Ryan Lozano - Dixon
Sal Herrera - Byron
Scott Burke - Oakdale
Scott Gabaldon - Middletown
Steve Biechman - Redding
Ted Kimball - Yuba City
Tony Pratt - Paso Robles
Val Garringer - Murphys
Wally Smith - Novato
William Landers - Concord
Ysmael Gonzales - Calexico
Zane Wiley - Novato

Colorado
Glenn Haupt - Highlands Ranch

Idaho
Brandon Craner - Buhl
Chris Kummermehr - Meridian
Mike Kelly - Parma
Scott Neely - Meridian

Illinois
Nate Troia - Machesney Park
Tom Draviczki - Plainfield

Japan
Ichikawa Province - Tetsuya
Maeda Province - Hideki
Maruyama Province - Shunichi

Minnesota
Bob Pauer - Spring Park

Nevada
Andy Scholz - Reno
Bill Duca - Blue Diamond
Derek Xander - Reno
James Lima - Reno
Lenny Broughton - Las Vegas
Mitch Geyer - Spring Creek

Ohio
William Stephen - Mogadora

Oregon
Chris Hughes - Grants Pass
Christopher Ricci - Bend
John Mcghee - Parkdale
Larry Shaffer - Salem
Ryan Hill - Grants Pass
Ted Sowers - Salem
Tom Hill - Grants Pass

South Carolina
Brian Mathis - Columbia

South Dakota
Mike Schweigert - Rapid City

Tennessee
Joe Summerson - Murfreesboro

Texas
Mike Lott - Salado

Utah
Wilbur Jefferies - Bountiful

Washington
Brian Christenson - Olympia
Clinton Knox - West Richland
George Beegle - Seattle
Jim Allis - Longview
Rod Rinta - Chehalis

Wisconsin
Mike Wokasch - Mcfarland

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