WON BASS U.S.OPEN 2004: Day 1

　
LAS VEGAS--Although he hadn't been to Lake Mead in five years, Aaron Martens of Castaic kicked in the door and stepped on the field as he posted a five fish limit weighing 15.31 pounds to lead the 2004 U.S. Open. Leading out in the sixth flight, Martens anchored his sack with a 3.99 pounder, reportedly taken on "soft baits."

"He's incredible," said fellow pro John Murray, who sits in sixth place after bringing in 10.70 pounds. Speaking of Martens he said, "He's fishing a known big fish area, and he got them."

Brent Ehrler of Redlands, fishing in the second flight, was the leader for much of the weigh-in period with a sack weighing 12.79 pounds. His AAA partner Mike Guerra contributed a 3.17 pounder, while Ehrler's best was 2.68 pounds.

"I used a lot of Lucky Craft baits," said Ehrler. "I just did the run and gun. I think you have to do that to win it."

Gary Dobyns of Yuba City, the runner-up in 2003, weighed in late in the seventh flight but brought in healthy 11.36 pounds, topped by a 3.47 pounder. While Dobyns utilized hard baits as expected, he admitted, "I was surprised how easy it was to get good fish on a plastic worm."

Former U.S. Open Champion, Kevin Wiggins, now living in Las Vegas, holds down fourth place with 10.94 pounds, while Kota Kiriyama of New Milford, NJ stands in fifth with 10.78 pounds.

With 9 limits weighing 10 pounds or more on the first day, the tournament far exceeded the 2003 event when only 3 10-pound-plus limits were recorded.

The biggest bass of the opening round was a hefty 5.13-pound largemouth taken by AAA contestant Christopher Irigoyen, fishing with Scott Nielsen of Salt Lake City.

A 2.11-pound smallmouth bass was weighed in by AAA angler Dustin Madrigal, fishing with pro Rusty Brown of Tustin.

AARON MARTENS jumped out to a big lead in the U.S. Open with 15.31 pounds.

BRENT EHRLER, right and AAA partner combined for 12.79 pounds and second place in the Open.

GARY DOBYNS of Yuba City was solid on the first day, weighing in 11.36 pounds.

BIG BASS on the opening day was this whopping 5.13-pound largemouth taken by AAA Christopher Irigoyen.

THIS BIG SMALLMOUTH, weighing 3.11 pounds, fell to AAA Dustin Madrigal.

+WON BASS

Posted by DODGE at September 14, 2004 12:43 PM in Tournament (U.S. others)