WON BASS U.S.OPEN 2004: Final

　
Aaron Martens of Castaic powered out in front on day one and then held off the charging Brent Ehrler of Redlands to win the 2004 U.S. Open at Lake Mead. In weighing a total of 34.27 pounds, Martens took a home a top prize of better than $124,000.

Included was a Ranger 519 bass boat with Mercury Optimax outboard, MotorGuide trolling motor, Lowrance electronics, Trojan batteries. Additionally he was awarded a Ford F150 pickup from El Cajon Ford and $50,000 in cash, plus he added another $9,000 in big fish and big stringer prize money.

"I really wanted to win this tournament," said Martens at the host Sunset Station and Casino. "I wanted it bad."

Martens fished 4 1ﾚ2 inch RoboWorms on just two spots in the lower basin for the win, although he admitted, "I ran out of fish."

Brent Ehrler made his charge throwing a Lucky Craft Gunfish for three days. "I covered probably 10 miles a day and found several big groups of fish."

He finished the tournament with the biggest sack of the day weighing 11.04 pounds and a total of 33.08 pounds, good for $20,000 in cash plus another $4500 in big stringer and big bass money.

Third place in the pro ranks was Andre Moore of Scottsdale, Arizona who weighed 10.75 pounds on the final round and finished with 29.64 pounds. The luremaker used his own Vixen topwater bait in the Temple Bar area around the marina where he said he worked over three schools of bass.

"This is an awesome tournament!" he said on stage.

The AAA division was practically a walk for Bruce Hardy of St. George, Utah who finished with 31.24 pounds and won a Mercury powered Ranger 175 VS with Lowrance electronics, MotorGuide trolling motor and Trojan batteries worth $20,000. He also took home $2,500 in big stringer cash on the strength of his first day partnership with Martens.

Mark Snitow of Lake Havasu City was second with 25.77 pounds and earned $5000 in cash. Trent Doser of Henderson, Nevada and Tom White of Cypress, California tied for third with 25.51 pounds and each took home $3500.

AARON MARTENS of Castaic won his first U.S. Open Wednesday.

BRENT EHRLER'S late charge nearly overtook Martens, but he settled for second place.

ANDRE MOORE also finished strong and took home $13,000.

BRUCE HARDY of St. George, Utah hoists the trophy for winning the AAA division of the U.S. Open. His son Dallas holds the prize certificate for his father's Mercury powered Ranger boat prize. Sharing the moment were Michelle Kilburn from Mercury Marine and Keith Tripp from Ranger Boats.

+WON BASS

Posted by DODGE at September 16, 2004 12:49 PM in Tournament (U.S. others)