Bryant Smith targeted smallmouth in the 10- to 20-foot depth range en route to winning the WON Bass U.S. Open.
October 17, 2024
WON B.A.S.S. Communications LAUGHLIN, Nev. – The first two days of the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open had proven to be the shootout that was predicted. As the 172-boat field ventured out on to the waters of Lake Mohave for Wednesday's final round, less than 2 pounds separated Day-2 leader Bryant Smith (43.84 pounds) and second-place pro and defending champion Kyle Grover (41.88).
Like most events, the one certainty is that once the field gets accustomed to the conditions, they will change. The first two days featured barely a breath of wind and the water’s surface resembled a mirror. The final day brought winds in in the 10-mph range, which added a wrinkle to the narrative of the event.
The question remained as to which angler would be able to maintain the quality results they had to date, or would both fall to the hard-charging efforts of competitors such as third-place pro Spencer Shuffield (40.99), fourth-place Josh Bertrand (40.16) or fifth-place Julius Mazy (40.03).
The answer to that question would be Smith. The Roseville, Calif. resident bagged 20.90 pounds of Lake Mohave smallmouth bass to push his final weight to 64.74 to earn the top prize of a fully rigged 2024 Ranger Z520R powered by a Mercury ProXS 250 equipped with Lowrance Electronics, Bioenno Lithium Batteries, Power-Pole Charge, Megaware Keelguard and DD26 Accessories valued at more than $90,000. Along with the prize boat, the $70,000 winner’s share of the payout brought his total package to $160,000.
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Shuffield finished second after posting a 21.10-pound limit of smallmouth to bring his total to 62.09. Grover caught a 19.61-pound limit to finish third with 61.49. Arizona's Joe Uribe Jr. weighed 19.89 to post and finish fourth, while Shane Edgar caught 19.44 to finish with 57.29 to round out the Top 5.
Smith reported that his practice period started slow, but that he began to put the pieces of the puzzle together as his pre-tournament scouting progressed.
“It took me a while, but I was able to find them in the same areas I fished last year, but had to make adjustments,” he said. “I targeted smallmouth that had sand, grass and bait in the main bowl and my depth varied from the 10- to 20-foot range.”
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He caught his fish using a green pumpkin Strike King Half Shell on a dropshot rig. He set it up on a 6'10" Alpha Angler DSR spinning rod designed by Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk, a Lew’s Custom Lite spinning reel spooled with 10-pound braided main line to a 6-pound Seaguar Tatsu fluorocarbon leader. His Half Shell was rigged on a size 4 Gamakatsu Drop Shot hook and 3/8- and 1/2-ounce Tour Grade Tungsten Drop Shot Weights.
He said he'd had dreams of winning the U.S. Open for many years.
“Every serious angler from the West dreams of being the U.S. Open Champion, and it has been for me for years,” he said. “Now I can say that I am the winner and it's something that hasn’t hit me yet, but this is absolutely humbling; I can’t believe it.”
Like Smith, Shuffield fished on the bottom as well. He fished in the main bowl and targeted edges where short grass and rock were inhabited by baitfish.
“I fished a dropshot rig on a 7’3” medium-light Ark Reinforcer spinning rod with 15-pound white Yo-Zuri Super Braid with 10-pound-test T7 fluorocarbon and a Baby Too,” he said. “I also Ned-rigged a 7’1” Reinforcer with the same line and caught all of my fish on those two setups using my LiveScope to find those edges.”
This marks the second time Shuffield has placed second in the U.S. Open and he was fourth in his other attempt.
“I'm thrilled to have another strong finish out here, but to come close again makes me want it even more,” he said. “I just wasn’t able to chase Bryant down, but gosh, I really want to win this tournament.”
Martin DeHaven, who led the AAA Division after Day 1, became the non-boater champion by posting at three-day total of 51.42 pounds. Zack Hayes finished second with 51.14, he was followed in third by Dean Yamagata with 51.10. Fourth place went to Larry Llanes with 49.91 and Nicolas Skerston finished fifth with 49.82.
Here are the final totals for the Top 10:
1. Bryant Smith: 64.74
For complete results, click here
