Jim Gomez hoists the Championship trophy at Lake Pleasant

Gomez tops record field at Lake Pleasant

PEORIA, AZ, March 5, 2001 ‹ Jim Gomez of Lemon Grove, CA, topped a record field of bass anglers at Lake Pleasant in central Arizona, to win the first South Region tournament of the season on the WON BASS Miller High Life tour.
The 36-year-old Pro pitched plastic "reapers" into shallow waters of the Castle Creek Arm of the lake to post a total of 26.66 pounds in winning the $35,000 top prize a Ranger 518VX boat and trailer, Mercury outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor and Lowrance electronics.
Second place went to Alex Dombrowski of Tucson, AZ, who had 25.62 pounds and won $10,000 cash. Chris Boone of Bishop placed third with 24.90 pounds to win $6,000 cash, while Byron Velvick of Boulder City, NV got a total of $6,500 cash including options, to place fourth with 23.24 pounds. John Murray of Phoenix, AZ, was fifth with 23.06 pounds to win $3,600 cash.
The record turnout saw 179 boats take to the waters for the two-day event with the anglers catching 1,412 bass. The largest of the fish was a 9.43 pounder caught by AAA angler Mark Nailon of Canyon Country, CA, who finished third in that division.
The AAA winner was Bill Wilson of Glendale, AZ, with 27.88 pounds and he collected a total of $4,550 cash including option monies. Second place and $1,500 went to Jeff Dean of Lake Havasu City, AZ, with 26.84 pounds.