Koller takes early lead in U.S. Open bass tournament
LAS VEGAS--The 25th edition of the U.S. Open bass tournament on Lake Mead saw bass plentiful, but size wanting, as only three anglers cracked double digits in the field. Although gusty winds were modest, at least four pro entrants encountered engine trouble and needed their fish transported to the weigh-in by others.
First day leader Ben Koller of Peoria, Ariz. posted 11.96 pounds, two of his largest coming in the first 30 minutes. Responding to Tournament Director Bill Hutcheson’s question to speculate on the weight of his sack, Koller said, “Whatever it is, we’re happy.”
Close behind was Cliff Pirch of Payson, Arizona who fished solo due to his late entry into the competition. His 11.45 pounds included a 4.10-pound largemouth. “It got lonely out there,” he said, adding “I’m happy with my catch today. It’s a good Lake Mead limit.”
Jamie Cyphers of Cedar City, Utah, overcame a bad start and finished the day in third place with 10.62 pounds.”We dumped a couple early and had to overcome that,” he said. I feel real good about the weight.” Helping salvage the day was the biggest bass of the day, a 4.40-pound largemouth.
Rounding out the top five spots were Andy Jackson of Boulder City, Nev. Who tallied 9.80 pounds, followed in fifth place by Eric Brewer, of Nuevo, Calif. with 9.39 pounds.
The rest of the top 10 pros were in 6th, Sean Hinton of Mollison, Colo. With 8.58 pounds; in 7th, Kurt Palmer of Kirtland, New Mexico with 8.43 pounds; in 8th, Justin Kerr of Simi Valley, Calif. with 8.20 pounds and in 10th, Fred Krumsiek of Glendale, Ariz. with 8.14 pounds.
Other notables included Scott Nielsen, last year’s champion from Salt Lake City Utah with 7.62 pounds in 20th place; Mike Folkestad, the only 3-time U.S. Open winner, with 7.23 pounds in 28th place; Rich Tauber, 1982 Open champion from Camarillo, Calif., in 36th place with 7.03 pounds.
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