Aaron Martens goes back to back, winning 2005 U.S. Open

LAS VEGAS—Aaron Martens of Leeds, Ala. won the 2005 WON BASS U.S. Open at Lake Mead, finishing the tough three-day event with a total of 36.40 pounds. In doing so, he became the second angler in the 24-year history of the event to win back-to-back titles.

His prize winnings topped $120,000 for the championship as he took home better than $55,000 in cash, plus a fully rigged, Mercury-powered Ranger bass boat and trailer and a Ford F 150 pickup from El Cajon Ford.

Mike Folkestad of Yorba Linda, Calif. previously won consecutive Open crowns in 2001-2002.

Martens, who was crowned the 2005 B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year, changed with the weather and got stronger as the week went on. He opened in 12th place with 9.01 pounds under sunny skies, but jumped into the lead on day two with a total of 22.68 pounds as high winds and scattered thundershowers activated the fish. On the final round he continued to fish a topwater lure known as a Vixen and produced the heaviest sack of the day weighing 13.72 pounds for a resounding victory as the weather stayed breezy.

Unlike a year ago where Martens jumped to an early lead and held off runner-up Brent Ehrler, this year he won going away.

In second place was Shaun Bailey of Agoura Hills who tallied 29.38 pounds, finishing with 12.55 pounds on the final round, also on the Vixen walking bait. His take was $20,000 in cash.

Gary Dobyns of Yuba City, the all-time leading money winner in WON BASS history could not find the “reaction bite” that had carried him to 12 previous titles, but still managed to weigh 28.95 pounds for third place in the U.S. Open which included $15,000 cash. 

“I whacked them (on plastic worms)” he said, fishing in 25 to 35 feet of water.

Two pros from Phoenix, Arizona rounded out the top five spots. Brett Hite weighed in 28.12 pounds in fourth place ($10,000) predominately by way of a drop-shot plastic worm, while two-time former winner John Murray took fifth spot with 27.37 pounds.

Murray’s pattern was the most unusual of the day, as he reported fishing in 50 feet of water with jigs and drop-shot plastic worms.

On the strength of a 13.67-pound sack on the final day, J.L. Pennington of Las Vegas captured 6th place with 27.01 pounds, while Folkestad took 7th with 26. 67 pounds while drop-shotting “Folkestad Special” RoboWorms in 10 to 20 feet of water.

In eight spot was Kevin Caruso of Glendale, Ariz. Who tallied 25.39 pounds, while Alpine, California’s John Strelic took ninth place with 24.84 pounds.

Ehrler and Tim Klinger of Boulder City, Nev. Tied for 10th place with 24.60 pounds.

While there were a total of 15 daily big bass awards for the contest, Rick Clunn of Ava, Missou. took the heaviest with a 4.63-pound largemouth, taken on day 2.