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Meyer Masters Delta as West Flexes Bass Fishing Muscles
Bethel Island, Calif. – Under normal BASS tournament circumstances, a
26-pound bag is considered an excellent day of fishing, but excellent
doesn’t do justice to Russ Meyer’s day. The cool Californian produced a
26-pound, two-ounce catch despite the fact that the creel limit has been
reduced to four fish for the event in order to comply with California
fishing regulations.
That didn’t stop Russ Meyer. It didn’t even slow him down. He holds a
commanding seven-pound, seven-ounce lead over fellow Californian Ricky
Shabazz.
“I’ve fished a lot of tournaments, and you just never know what’s going to
happen after the first day,” Meyer said of his Day One catch.
“I know where some fish are,” Meyer added, significantly understating his
performance. “Sometimes you catch them and sometimes you don’t. Today I
caught them.”
Meyer is no stranger to success in California. He placed second on Lake
Shasta and eighth on Clear Lake in the 2004 Bassmaster Open
Series.
Meyer’s bag included a 9-4 behemoth that was good enough to take Purolator
Big Bass honors for the day. He’ll get a check for $1,000 for the big
fish, capping off a banner day. Also included in his bag was an 8-5
lunker. The average bass Meyer brought to the scales was better than 6 1/2
pounds!
Meyer used his practice time to sight fish and locate the areas that could
produce lunkers during the tournament. He caught all of his fish in and
around vegetation.
For Meyer’s pattern to hold up, the Delta tides will be a key. He caught a
limit very early by flipping during the high tide period and then threw
reaction baits as the wind increased in the afternoon. Although it would
have made little difference, Meyer’s first round did include some
disappointment. He broke off a six pounder.
“I just like to fish,” the low-key Meyer said. “No matter what kind of day
I have out there, I just like to keep fishing.”
It’s tough to be disappointed with four bass weighing 18-11, but when you
find yourself trailing by better than seven pounds, it’s also tough to be
cheerful. That’s exactly the situation that Ricky Shabazz is in.
Nevertheless, the second place angler is optimistic about his chances.
“There are 30 fish in my area that are as big as the ones I caught today,”
Shabazz said. “It’s just a matter of execution tomorrow.”
Shabazz’s continued success depends on the consistency of the topwater
bite he was able to generate today. He plans to stick with it for the rest
of the tournament.
“To be honest, I’m from Southern California,” Shabazz said, “and I don’t
know much about this water, so I’ll stick with what’s working.”
In third is Western bass fishing legend John Murray who brought four bass
weighing 17-11 to the scales. Murray was flipping on high tide, much like
Meyer, and threw a Yamamoto Senko when the tides shifted.
“I threw the trolling motor down and just beat up my area,” Murray said.
“I probably didn’t burn ten gallons of gas out there.”
Murray, who is from Arizona and the only non-Californian in the top five,
is a worthy adversary for the locals. He won the Busch Shootout in 2004
and also captured the 2003 Open Championship on famed Toledo Bend
Reservoir.
“I just want to get to that Open Championship again,” Murray said. “That’s
what I’m here for, and this day helps my chances.”
Rounding out the top five are Bobby Barrack (17-9) and Brett Leber
(17-7).
It was a banner day for Californians on their home water. Nine of the top
ten anglers are from the Golden State.
That California domination also took place on the non-boater side. Three
of the top five non-boaters call California home. Ryan Wake (12-13) leads
Merl Nunes (12-1), Hideki Maeda (10-13), Jack Farage (10-11) and Nate
Troia (10-9). Another Californian, Brandon Silvey, had the Purolator Big
Bass of the day on the non-boater side with a 5-11 lunker. That fish will
put an extra $400 in his pocket.
Daily weigh-ins will be held at Russo’s Marina beginning at 2 p.m.
2005 Western Open 1 05/26-05/28
California Delta Waterway, Bethel Island Calif.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total
$$$
1. Russ Meyer Redding, Calif. 4 26-02 305
$1,000.00
Day 1: 4 26-02
2. Ricky Shabazz Fontana, Calif. 4 18-11 295
Day 1: 4 18-11
3. John Murray Phoenix, Ariz. 4 17-11 290
Day 1: 4 17-11
4. Bobby Barrack Oakley, Calif. 4 17-09 285
Day 1: 4 17-09
5. Brett Leber Dixon, Calif. 4 17-07 280
Day 1: 4 17-07
6. Mark Naillon San Jose, Calif. 4 17-02 276
Day 1: 4 17-02
7. Albert Berendes Folson, Calif. 4 16-09 272
Day 1: 4 16-09
8. John Varanai Manteca, Calif. 4 16-08 268
Day 1: 4 16-08
9. Zachary Thompson Orinda, Calif. 4 14-04 264
Day 1: 4 14-04
10. Steve Sapp Manteca, Calif. 4 14-01 260
Day 1: 4 14-01
11. Leroy Bertolero El Macero, Calif. 4 13-15 257
Day 1: 4 13-15
12. Brett Hite Phoenix, Ariz. 4 13-09 254
Day 1: 4 13-09
13. Jim Reese Witter Springs, Calif. 4 13-08 251
Day 1: 4 13-08
14. Ron Colby Page, Ariz. 4 13-06 248
Day 1: 4 13-06
15. Steve Klein Oroville, Calif. 4 13-02 245
Day 1: 4 13-02
16. Vince Hurtado Waterford, Calif. 4 13-01 243
Day 1: 4 13-01
17. Clifford Pirch Payson, Ariz. 4 13-00 241
Day 1: 4 13-00
18. Ishama Monroe Hughson, Calif. 4 12-13 239
Day 1: 4 12-13
19. Lawrence Grzelak Clarksburg, Calif. 4 12-09 237
Day 1: 4 12-09
19. David Pereira Modesto, Calif. 4 12-09 237
Day 1: 4 12-09
19. Ken Cassettari Walnut Creek, Calif. 3 12-09 237
Day 1: 3 12-09
22. Neil Campbell Fallbrook, Calif. 4 12-08 231
Day 1: 4 12-08
23. Jumpei Kato Bowling Green, Ky. 4 12-07 229
Day 1: 4 12-07
24. Neil Russell Nampa, Idaho 4 12-02 227
Day 1: 4 12-02
25. Jared Lintner Arroyo Grande, Calif. 4 12-00 225
Day 1: 4 12-00
26. Ken Eddy Madera, Calif. 4 11-14 223
Day 1: 4 11-14
27. Mick Karshner Fresno, Calif. 4 11-13 221
Day 1: 4 11-13
28. Roy Brooks Mesa, Ariz. 3 11-12 219
Day 1: 3 11-12
29. Gary Howell Stockton, Calif. 4 11-09 217
Day 1: 4 11-09
29. Sean Stafford Fairfield, Calif. 4 11-09 217
Day 1: 4 11-09
31. Gary Boyd Reseda, Calif. 4 11-08 213
Day 1: 4 11-08
32. Robert Lee Angels Camp, Calif. 4 11-07 211
Day 1: 4 11-07
33. Alton Forthe Benicia, Calif. 4 11-05 209
Day 1: 4 11-05
33. Scott Mascadri Sacramento, Calif. 4 11-05 209
Day 1: 4 11-05
35. Clint Johanson Benton City, Wash. 4 11-04 205
Day 1: 4 11-04
36. Sean Mindermann Spokane, Wash. 4 11-03 203
Day 1: 4 11-03
36. Lorenzo Rossetti Stockton, Calif. 4 11-03 203
Day 1: 4 11-03
38. Chad Martin Sacramento, Calif. 4 11-01 199
Day 1: 4 11-01
39. Cameron Smith Dana Point, Calif. 4 11-00 197
Day 1: 4 11-00
39. Tom Wardrope Dublin, Calif. 4 11-00 197
Day 1: 4 11-00
41. Bill Mc Aninch Sylmar, Calif. 4 10-15 193
Day 1: 4 10-15
42. Keith Clow Kennewick, Wash. 3 10-12 191
Day 1: 3 10-12
43. Dick Watson Alta Loma, Calif. 4 10-11 189
Day 1: 4 10-11
44. Bryan Roland Brentwood, Calif. 4 10-10 187
Day 1: 4 10-10
45. Cooch A Cuccia Oakley, Calif. 4 10-08 185
Day 1: 4 10-08
46. Andre Moore Scottsdale, Ariz. 4 10-07 183
Day 1: 4 10-07
47. Robert Cagle Yuba City, Calif. 4 10-06 181
Day 1: 4 10-06
47. Brent Lyon Reno, Nev. 4 10-06 181
Day 1: 4 10-06
49. Larry Brower Cottonwood, Calif. 4 10-04 177
Day 1: 4 10-04
49. Steve Geffs Antelope, Calif. 4 10-04 177
Day 1: 4 10-04
49. Justin Kerr Semi Valley, Calif. 4 10-04 177
Day 1: 4 10-04
52. Charlie Davidson Temecula, Calif. 4 10-03 171
Day 1: 4 10-03
53. Ken Mercurio Sparks, Nev. 4 10-01 169
Day 1: 4 10-01
53. Tom Perkins Sitka, Alaska 4 10-01 169
Day 1: 4 10-01
55. Nicolas Sakata Manteca, Calif. 4 10-00 165
Day 1: 4 10-00
56. MATT LOWERY El Cajou, Calif. 4 9-15 163
Day 1: 4 9-15
57. Jim Davis San Jose, Calif. 4 9-13 161
Day 1: 4 9-13
58. Gary Thomas Tracy, Calif. 4 9-10 159
Day 1: 4 9-10
59. Tony Marsh Chino Valley, Ariz. 4 9-07 157
Day 1: 4 9-07
59. Steve Merlo Bakersfield, Calif. 4 9-07 157
Day 1: 4 9-07
59. Art Roland Brentwood, Calif. 4 9-07 157
Day 1: 4 9-07
59. Lonnie Woodlief Brentwood, Calif. 4 9-07 157
Day 1: 4 9-07
63. Keith Allen Theresa, N.Y. 4 9-04 149
Day 1: 4 9-04
64. Leo Carrillo Tuscon, Ariz. 4 9-03 147
Day 1: 4 9-03
64. Don Cox Colorado Springs, Colo 4 9-03 147
Day 1: 4 9-03
66. Fred Todd Fort Bragg, Calif. 4 9-01 143
Day 1: 4 9-01
67. James Opalecky Elk Grove, Calif. 4 9-00 141
Day 1: 4 9-00
67. Randy Potter Camas, Wash. 4 9-00 141
Day 1: 4 9-00
67. Rus Snyders San Mateo, Calif. 4 9-00 141
Day 1: 4 9-00
67. James Taylor Madera, Calif. 4 9-00 141
Day 1: 4 9-00
71. Fred Roumbanis Auburn, Calif. 4 8-15 133
Day 1: 4 8-15
72. Phil Mitsueda Shasta Lake, Calif. 4 8-13 131
Day 1: 4 8-13
73. Mike Knight Bakersfield, Calif. 4 8-12 129
Day 1: 4 8-12
74. Michael Delnero Manteca, Calif. 4 8-09 127
Day 1: 4 8-09
75. Donald Davis Brentwood, Calif. 4 8-08 125
Day 1: 4 8-08
75. John Parks Aztec, N.M. 4 8-08 125
Day 1: 4 8-08
75. Mark Tyler Scottsdale, Ariz. 4 8-08 125
Day 1: 4 8-08
78. Shaun Bailey Agoura, Calif. 4 8-07 119
Day 1: 4 8-07
79. Dan Castelhano Fremont, Calif. 4 8-06 117
Day 1: 4 8-06
79. Daryl Dempsey Las Vegas, Nev. 4 8-06 117
Day 1: 4 8-06
79. Charlie Weyer West Hills, Calif. 4 8-06 117
Day 1: 4 8-06
82. Tim Higbee Santa Cruz, Calif. 4 8-05 111
Day 1: 4 8-05
83. Lucy Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 4 8-04 109
Day 1: 4 8-04
84. Melinda Mize Ben Lomond, Ark. 4 8-03 107
Day 1: 4 8-03
85. Ed Arledge San Diego, Calif. 4 8-02 105
Day 1: 4 8-02
85. Mike Gutierrez Salinas, Calif. 4 8-02 105
Day 1: 4 8-02
87. Brent Shores Boise, Idaho 4 8-00 101
Day 1: 4 8-00
88. Jami Fralick Martin, S.D. 4 7-15 99
Day 1: 4 7-15
88. Greg Gutierrez Red Bluff, Calif. 4 7-15 99
Day 1: 4 7-15
90. Bernie Gaunt West Sacramento, Calif 4 7-14 95
Day 1: 4 7-14
90. Roy Hawk Salt Lake City, Utah 4 7-14 95
Day 1: 4 7-14
90. Larry Hutchens Durham, Ore. 4 7-14 95
Day 1: 4 7-14
93. Howard Hughes Redding, Calif. 4 7-12 89
Day 1: 4 7-12
94. Wayne Hinrichs Novato, Calif. 4 7-08 87
Day 1: 4 7-08
94. Mike O'Shea Westlake Village, Cali 4 7-08 87
Day 1: 4 7-08
96. Mike Campbell Oak View, Calif. 4 7-07 83
Day 1: 4 7-07
96. Garrigan Robert Brentwood, Calif. 4 7-07 83
Day 1: 4 7-07
98. Stephen Garcia Battleground, Wash. 4 7-06 79
Day 1: 4 7-06
99. Armando Perez Lincoln, Calif. 4 7-05 77
Day 1: 4 7-05
99. Brian Nixon Grand Junction, Colo. 4 7-05 77
Day 1: 4 7-05
101.Frank Morton Madras, Ore. 4 7-03 75
Day 1: 4 7-03
101.Rob Wenning Sparks, Nev. 4 7-03 75
Day 1: 4 7-03
103.Nick Rook Coeur Dalene, Idaho 4 7-01 73
Day 1: 4 7-01
104.Jiggs Benn Myrtle Creek, Ore. 4 7-00 72
Day 1: 4 7-00
105.Jay Pennington Las Vegas, Nev. 4 6-13 71
Day 1: 4 6-13
106.Jake Arbuckle Lodi, Calif. 4 6-12 70
Day 1: 4 6-12
106.Ed Cummings Tucson, Ariz. 4 6-12 70
Day 1: 4 6-12
106.Scott Nielsen Salt Lake City, Utah 4 6-12 70
Day 1: 4 6-12
109.Russ Barger Boise, Idaho 4 6-11 67
Day 1: 4 6-11
109.Scott Head Knightsen, Calif. 3 6-11 67
Day 1: 3 6-11
111.Kazuki Kodama Tokyo 192-0911, Japan 4 6-09 65
Day 1: 4 6-09
112.Ray Brazier Lawrenceburg, Tenn. 4 6-06 64
Day 1: 4 6-06
113.John Semken Olympia, Wash. 4 6-05 63
Day 1: 4 6-05
114.Sieg Taylor Fresno, Calif. 4 6-03 62
Day 1: 4 6-03
115.Tim Rath Lake Havasu City, Ariz 4 6-02 61
Day 1: 4 6-02
116.Rick Kendrick Sacramento, Calif. 4 6-01 60
Day 1: 4 6-01
117.Anthony Klonowski Eagle, Idaho 4 5-15 59
Day 1: 4 5-15
118.Monty Fralick Martin, S.D. 4 5-14 58
Day 1: 4 5-14
119.Kent Brown Roseville, Calif. 4 5-13 57
Day 1: 4 5-13
119.Greg Hall Crystal River, Fla. 3 5-13 57
Day 1: 3 5-13
121.Nick Grebb Roseville, Calif. 3 5-12 55
Day 1: 3 5-12
122.Rodney Reed Bakersfield, Calif. 4 5-11 54
Day 1: 4 5-11
123.Keith Bryan Novato, Calif. 3 5-10 53
Day 1: 3 5-10
124.Nick Guadagnolo Manteca, Calif. 4 5-09 52
Day 1: 4 5-09
125.Chad Dwyer Granite Bay, Calif. 4 5-07 51
Day 1: 4 5-07
126.Walter Kondracki California City, Calif 4 5-06 50
Day 1: 4 5-06
126.Robert Mansor Modesto, Calif. 2 5-06 50
Day 1: 2 5-06
128.Raul Morineau Mexico City 03810, Mex 3 5-05 48
Day 1: 3 5-05
129.Jerry Fischer Lincoln, Calif. 4 5-03 47
Day 1: 4 5-03
130.Clyde Evans Las Vegas, Nev. 4 5-01 46
Day 1: 4 5-01
130.David Rush Palermo, Calif. 2 5-01 46
Day 1: 2 5-01
132.Stephen Pike Las Vegas, Nev. 4 4-13 44
Day 1: 4 4-13
133.Shinya Uesas Osaka 553 0007, Japan 3 4-12 43
Day 1: 3 4-12
134.George Galletti Martinez, Calif. 3 4-07 42
Day 1: 3 4-07
135.Scott McClaskey Chico, Calif. 2 4-03 41
Day 1: 2 4-03
136.Gino Campiotti Manteca, Calif. 3 4-02 40
Day 1: 3 4-02
137.Joe Spraggins Madera, Calif. 3 3-15 39
Day 1: 3 3-15
138.James Broberg Spokane, Wash. 2 3-10 38
Day 1: 2 3-10
139.Lyndelle Mccullough Modesto, Calif. 2 3-07 37
Day 1: 2 3-07
140.Bink Desaro Boise, Idaho 2 3-03 36
Day 1: 2 3-03
141.Fred Ward Peoria, Ariz. 1 2-04 35
Day 1: 1 2-04
142.Gene Buchholz Oakley, Calif. 2 2-02 34
Day 1: 2 2-02
142.Mike Moffitt Granada Hills, Calif. 2 2-02 34
Day 1: 2 2-02
144.Allen Posella Sanger, Calif. 2 1-11 32
Day 1: 2 1-11
145.Larry Rook Coeur D'Alene, Idaho 1 1-09 31
Day 1: 1 1-09
146.Steve Bell Elepha Butte, N.M. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
146.Tim Edington Bakersfield, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
146.Harry Jioras Laverne, Calif. 0 0-00 0
Day 1: 0 0-00
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Purolator Big Bass
Day
1 Russ Meyer Redding, Calif. 9-04 $1,000.00
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 0 544 1313-06
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0 544 1313-06
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