Rusty Brown wins 2013 U.S. Open on Lake Mead

The rule for the week at the 31st Anniversary WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open had been consistency. The anglers that seemed to fare the best had been those who had managed to put together steady limits, avoiding the wild swings that can happen in a event on Lake Mead.

Rusty Brown proved that one more time on the final day, and claimed the title of U.S. Open Champion.

The Tustin, Calif. pro posted his third consecutive limit weighing in excess of 10 pounds to claim his first U.S. Open victory. His final day limit of 10.81 pounds pushed his three day total to 31.25 pounds and help him eclipse a hard charging Clifford Pirch; a two-time U.S. Open Champion who bagged a 15.48-pound bag to give him his second consecutive runner up finish with a total weight of 30.32 pounds. Day two leader Brett Hite stumbled slightly in his quest for three consecutive 10 pound limits, and brought 9.03 pounds to the Callville Bay Marina scales and slipped to third place with 30.09 pounds.

Brown credited three lures, and his ability to slow down and fish his areas thoroughly with the win. “I knew there were quality fish in the Gregg Basin area, so I just had to slow down and fish back and forth around grass beds to try and trigger the big fish into biting,” I caught my fish on a Rapala Skitter Walk and a few on a Vixen, a shad colored Pro Line spinnerbait with smaller sized willowleaf blades and a size 3 Storm Arashi Squarebill crankbait.”

Rusty Brown’s Crowning Moment – photo by Dan O’Sullivan

He said he used erratic retrieves around grass beds trying to contact the grass without bogging the baits down. he also said that he tried to focus on grinding out the right kinds of bites. “I fished really hard for three days, after a good practice, and knew that if I just kept fishing without getting in a hurry, I would get the right bites,” he said. “Everything went great this week, and I couldn’t be happier with the result.”

He also said he has dreamed of being a U.S. Open Champion, and humbled by the accomplishment. “I can’t believe I’m standing here with my name on the same list of the guys I’ve watched win this tournament for so many years,” he said. “I’ve got great sponsors who have stood behind me in working at this for many years and it’s really great to be one of the guys who have won this tournament.”

Merlin Nunes of Vacaville, Calif. fished with Pirch on the final day, and his participation in the 15.47-pound limit brought his three day total weight to 31.78 pounds to claim the AAA Division championship. He was followed by Robert Jeannotte, who finished with 30.55 pounds to finish in second place for the third consecutive day. Day two AAA leader Scott Palumbo finished in third place with 28.95 pounds.

Complete Standings are below.

The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open Live Webcast was by presented by Costa Sunglasses, the event was also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Bass Pro Shops, Adoption Awareness, Big Hammer, Bridgford Foods, Cousins Tackle, Daiwa, Frog Toggs, Fuji, Global Fish Mounts, Lobina Lures, Lowrance, Mustang Survival, Optimum Baits, Plano Molding, Pro Boats, Pro Mar, Seaguar, Snug Top, SPRO, St.Croix Rods, Star Tron, YoZuri and Zip Baits

2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open
Day One Pro Standings

Place	Name	Hometown	Weight	Penalty	Big Fish	Total
1	Rusty Brown	Tustin CA	31.25		3.92	31.25
2	Clifford Pirch	Payson AZ	30.72	0.4	5.2	30.32
3	Brett Hite	Phoenix AZ	30.09		3.04	30.09
4	Justin Hanold	Poway CA	29.66		3.49	29.66
5	Tommy Jonovich	Phoenix AZ	29.82	0.2		29.62
6	Gary Dobyns	Yuba City CA	28.89		2.52	28.89
7	Joe Uribe, Jr.	Lake Forest CA	28.56	0.2	3.47	28.36
8	Chris Bozarth	Henderson NV	27.26		2.82	27.26
9	Morizo Shimizu	Osaka JP	26.85		3.16	26.85
10	Jamie Cyphers	Cedar City UT	26.77		3.14	26.77
11	Todd Herman	Gilbert AZ	26.07		4.49	26.07
12	Aaron Leon	Henderson NV	26.44	0.4	2.8	26.04
13	Ben Byrd	Moab UT	25.72			25.72
14	Bill Brown	Grand Junction CO	25.64			25.64
15	Todd Woods	San Dimas CA	25.42		2.59	25.42
16	John Perkins	Lake Havasu City AZ	25.35		2.91	25.35
17	Shaun Bailey	Lake Havasu City AZ	25.59	0.4	3.73	25.19
18	Paul Hodges	Glendale AZ	24.96			24.96
19	Randy Blaukat	Joplin MO	24.88		4.11	24.88
20	Ray Arbesu	Henderson NV	25.22	0.4	3.1	24.82
21	Garrett Howard	Riverside CA	24.75	0.4	3.3	24.35
22	Johnny Johnson	Lakeside AZ	24.17			24.17
23	Randy Estrada, M.D.	Corona CA	24.04			24.04
24	Klayton Belden	El Cajon CA	23.95			23.95
25	Kenichi Tanaka	Minamikawachigun	23.89		2.7	23.89
26	Patrick Whitaker	Gilbert AZ	23.87			23.87
27	Dorne Soto	Henderson NV	23.62	0.2		23.42
28	Brett Allen Leber	Dixon CA	23.35			23.35
29	John Murray	Phoenix AZ	23.22		3.32	23.22
30	Josh Rhodes	Lakeside CA	23.08		3.87	23.08
31	Gary Pinholster	Lake Havasu City AZ	23.19	0.2		22.99
32	Steve Gibson	Las Vegas NV	22.73		3.06	22.73
32	Claude Sims	Boerne TX	22.93	0.2		22.73
34	Sean Stafford	Fairfield CA	22.83	0.2		22.63
35	Andy Manahl	Mesa AZ	22.77	0.2		22.57
36	Roy Hawk	Lake Havasu City AZ	22.47		3.23	22.47
37	Kyle Grover	Trabuco Canyon CA	22.36	0.2		22.16
38	Phillip Dutra	Antioch CA	21.96		3.15	21.96
39	Rich Tauber	Camarillo CA	21.85		3.99	21.85
40	Aaron Martens	Leeds AL	21.78			21.78
41	Kevin Norling	San Diego CA	21.77			21.77
42	Gabe Bolivar	Ramona CA	21.72		3.45	21.72
43	Matt Shura	Gilbert AZ	21.62			21.62
44	Justin Kerr	Lake Havasu City AZ	21.51		2.88	21.51
45	Derek Yamamoto	Boulder City CO	21.49			21.49
46	David Valdivia	Norwalk CA	21.66	0.2		21.46
47	Shawn Lee	Arroyo Grande CA	21.55	0.2	3.32	21.35
48	Clayton Meyer	Henderson NV	21.32		3.12	21.32
49	Ken Whalen	Lompoc CA	21.25	0.2		21.05
50	Byron Velvick	Del Rio TX	21.02			21.02
51	Raymond Archer	Greeley CO	21			21
52	Bobby Lanham	Cave Creek AZ	20.78			20.78
53	Stephen Pike	Las Vegas NV	20.71			20.71
54	Dick Watson	Alta Loma CA	20.7	0.4		20.3
55	Kevin Wiggins	Las Vegas NV	20.27			20.27
56	John Weisfuss	Oxnard CA	20.45	0.2		20.25
57	Vu Au	Tucson AZ	20.37	0.2		20.17
58	Marco Valdez	Mesa AZ	20.14			20.14
59	Rick Mason	Glendale AZ	19.99		2.3	19.99
60	Garrett Lorenzen	Escondido CA	19.89		2.7	19.89
61	Kevin Caruso	Glendale AZ	19.87		3.2	19.87
62	Jamie Shaw	Coolidge AZ	19.82			19.82
63	Devin McDonald	Las Vegas NV	19.65		3.04	19.65
64	Dave Wendrich	Elko NV	19.59			19.59
65	Ricky Shabazz	Rialto CA	19.56			19.56
66	Bill O’Shinn	Granite Bay CA	19.48		2.83	19.48
67	Neil Flores	Menifee CA	19.45			19.45
68	Matt Massey	Golden CO	19.33			19.33
69	Ed Arledge	Valley Center CA	19.23			19.23
70	Jiggs Benn	Myrtle Creek OR	19.17		2.67	19.17
71	Rick Clunn	Ava MO	18.99			18.99
72	John Mackey	Boulder City NV	18.95			18.95
73	Mark Poe	Coolidge AZ	18.87		2.94	18.87
74	Randy Cnota	Tucson AZ	18.98	0.2		18.78
75	John Morrow	Brea CA	18.38			18.38
76	Craig Miller	Las Vegas NV	18.33			18.33
77	Keith Beever	Aliso Viejo CA	18.47	0.2		18.27
78	Ken Phillips	Antioch CA	18.09			18.09
79	Neil Campbell	Fallbrook CA	17.44			17.44
79	Jay Wright	Pasadena CA	17.44		2.75	17.44
81	Gary Freeman	Las Vegas NV	17.41			17.41
82	Ernie Stumpf	Carrollton TX	17.6	0.2	2.77	17.4
83	Michael Caruso	Peoria AZ	17.32		5.08	17.32
84	Jonathan D. Demonet	Downey CA	17.2			17.2
85	Vern Ridgway	Chandler AZ	17.12			17.12
85	Ed Shaver	Lake Havasu City AZ	17.12			17.12
87	Mike Brillhart	Waddell AZ	16			16
88	Nick Young	Ontario OR	15.93			15.93
89	Gary Boyd	Reseda CA	15.75		2.42	15.75
90	Mike Folkestad	Villa Park CA	15.84	0.2	2.27	15.64
91	Guy Savidan	Yorba Linda CA	15.58		2.68	15.58
92	William Ruehle	Peoria AZ	15.41			15.41
93	Shane Moline	Kingman AZ	15.16			15.16
94	Stephen Patek	Chula Vista CA	14.84		2.62	14.84
95	David Peltier	Acton CA	14.82			14.82
96	Gerald Kimzey	Willcox AZ	14.69		2.83	14.69
97	Scott Wingo	San Diego CA	14.57		3.35	14.57
98	Jason Burchfield	Las Vegas NV	14.91	0.4		14.51
98	Thomas Wennerlund	Gilbert AZ	14.51			14.51
100	Clyde Evans	Las Vegas NV	14.4			14.4
101	Marvin Barellano	Monterey Park CA	14.27			14.27
102	George Kramer	Lake Elsinore CA	14.45	0.2		14.25
103	Michael Phua	Chino CA	14.16			14.16
103	Joseph Raftery	Las Vegas NV	14.16			14.16
105	Steve Molinari	Waddell AZ	14.01			14.01
106	Trey Campbell	Gardena CA	13.95			13.95
107	Max Bauer	La Mesa CA	13.94			13.94
108	Pete Marino	Moreno Valley CA	13.9			13.9
109	Travis Richards	Henderson NV	13.78			13.78
110	Melvin Williams	Chula Vista CA	13.67			13.67
111	Philip Roesener	Parowan UT	13.48		2.39	13.48
112	Ty Sandefer	Escalante UT	13.4			13.4
113	Gary Robbins	Burbank CA	13.36			13.36
114	Robert Schoessler	Henderson NV	13.3			13.3
115	Cody Compton	Palisade CO	13.11			13.11
116	Clay Lippincott	Goodyear AZ	13.04			13.04
117	Wade Strelic	El Cajon CA	12.87			12.87
118	Trevor Young	Fontana CA	12.7			12.7
119	Kevin Stewart	Elk Grove CA	12.23			12.23
120	Vince Gennaro	Henderson NV	12.22			12.22
121	Mike Lavallee	Sandy UT	11.74			11.74
122	Zachary Elrite	San Jose CA	11.87	0.2		11.67
123	Christopher Dixon	Granada Hills CA	11.58	0.2		11.38
124	Chester Baxter	Glendale AZ	11.29			11.29
125	Tony Lain	Menifee CA	11.15			11.15
126	Sean Coffey	Mesa AZ	10.74			10.74
127	Jason Borofka	Salinas CA	10.18		3.22	10.18
128	Ron Hammett	La Mesa CA	9.66			9.66
129	Keith Ferlanie	Henderson NV	9.23			9.23
130	Michael McFarland	Corona CA	8.69		3.15	8.69
131	David Kemper	Tempe AZ	8.82	0.2		8.62
132	Brent Becker	Henderson NV	8.5			8.5
133	Robert Jenks	Diamond Bar CA	7.54			7.54
134	Chris Studinger	Oceanside CA	7.64	0.2		7.44
135	Tom Pryor	Page AZ	7.32			7.32
136	John O’Brien	Henderson NV	7.28	0.2		7.08
137	John Browning	Payson AZ	7.22	0.2		7.02
138	David Patrick	San Jacinto CA	6.8		2.92	6.8
139	Paul Brockmann	Lomita CA	6.73	0.2		6.53
140	Bill Snyder	Las Vegas NV	4.4			4.4
141	Oscar Torrado	Mira Loma CA	4.27			4.27
142	Jeffery Klicka	Brawley CA	2.06			2.06

2013 WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open
Day One AAA Standings

Place	Name	Hometown	Weight	Penalty	Big Fish	Total
1	Merlin Nunes	Vacaville CA	31.78		3.12	31.78
2	Robert Jeannotte	Henderson NV	30.55		2.61	30.55
3	Scott Palumbo	Phoenix AZ	28.95		3.5	28.95
4	Todd Kline	San Clemente CA	28.08		3.48	28.08
5	Chris Beverly	Mesa AZ	27.65			27.65
6	Barry Johnson	Carson City NV	27.42		4.49	27.42
7	Tim Irwin	LaVerne CA	26.34			26.34
8	Gabriel Diaz	Nuevo CA	26.44	0.2	3.32	26.24
9	Mark Dalton	Fountain Hills AZ	25.86		3.15	25.86
10	Charles Fleisher	Las Vegas NV	25.67		3.42	25.67
11	Josh Paxton	Spring Creek NV	24.67		3.08	24.67
12	Marty Rolph	Paradise CA	24.46		2.31	24.46
13	Vince Dwan	Rancho Mirage CA	24.33		2.95	24.33
14	Darian V. Stumpf	Las Vegas NV	24.32			24.32
15	Ronald Cross	Pahrump NV	24.09			24.09
16	Paul H. Matthews	Peoria AZ	24.07	0.2	2.8	23.87
17	Chris Patek	Chula Vista CA	23.77	0.2	2.85	23.57
18	Shannon Henry	Anthem AZ	23.46			23.46
19	R J Nevarez	Bonsall CA	23.42			23.42
20	Carl Limbrick, Jr.	Bonita CA	23.2		4.56	23.2
21	Seth Hausman	Sandy UT	23.32	0.4		22.92
22	Coy Nelson	Las Vegas NV	23.07	0.2	2.39	22.87
23	Doug Delgado	West Lake Village CA	22.91	0.2		22.71
24	Eric Hammer	Peoria AZ	22.77	0.2	2.38	22.57
25	David Burrows	Placentia CA	22.34		3.76	22.34
26	Michael D. Sisco	Henderson NV	22.32		1.71	22.32
27	Robert Schneider	Temecula CA	22.22			22.22
28	Andrew Moreau	Satatoga Springs UT	21.71		2.44	21.71
29	Duke Ayers	Flagstaff AZ	21.7		2.47	21.7
30	Craig Hammett	Eagle ID	21.61			21.61
31	Geoff Peterson	Huntington Beach CA	21.53			21.53
32	Chad May	Mesa AZ	21.43			21.43
33	Jason Swearengin	Rancho Mirage CA	21.42			21.42
34	Bill Wentworth	Dixon CA	21.61	0.2		21.41
35	David Bebawy	Chandler AZ	21.4		3.57	21.4
36	Brian P. Day	Rncho Snta Margarita CA	21.27		4.58	21.27
37	Gerard Thomas	Ralston WY	21.26			21.26
38	Randy Okubo	Evanston WY	21.44	0.2	2.06	21.24
39	Blaine Christiansen	San Francisco CA	21.22			21.22
40	Stephen Foster	Tazewell TN	21.09			21.09
41	Ken Cates	LaQuinta CA	21.07			21.07
42	Stephen Lamb	Lakeside CA	20.84		3.37	20.84
43	Tracy Purtee	Payson AZ	20.8			20.8
43	Brent Benish	San Diego CA	20.8			20.8
45	Allan Ruddock	Klamath Falls OR	20.74		3.03	20.74
46	Michael Bidak	Pheniox AZ	20.72	0.2	3.79	20.52
47	Tracy Smart	Lake Havasu City AZ	20.21			20.21
48	Rob Larson	Fountain Green UT	20.11			20.11
49	Kevin Gross	Claremont CA	20.06		4.46	20.06
49	Bobby Steele	Goodyear AZ	20.06			20.06
51	Mike Hyland	Lompoc CA	20.05			20.05
52	James Broughton	Henderson NV	20.03			20.03
53	Dave Della	Sparks NV	20.17	0.2		19.97
54	Chuck Kavros	Grass Valley CA	19.87		2.2	19.87
55	Gabriel Jones	Granite Falls NC	19.59		2.56	19.59
56	Glenn Kierstead	Coventry CT	19.47			19.47
57	John D. Helm	Tempe AZ	19.86	0.4		19.46
58	Allison Shaw	La Quinta CA	19.59	0.2		19.39
59	Conrad Demecs	Scottsdale AZ	19.57	0.2	1.83	19.37
60	Jerome Peacock	Visalia CA	19.34			19.34
61	Dave Kiesgen	Peorea AZ	19.33		2.83	19.33
62	David Hudson	Henderson NV	19.28			19.28
63	Bill Lansford	Lake Havasu City AZ	19.36	0.2		19.16
64	Greg Galloway	Valencia CA	19.11			19.11
65	Dale Howard	Las Vegas NV	18.83			18.83
65	Duane Mierop	Escondido CA	18.83			18.83
67	Mark Torrez	Camarillo CA	18.81			18.81
68	Paul A. Williams	Lake Havasu City AZ	18.67			18.67
69	Mike Byrum	Lakewood CA	18.72	0.2	2.84	18.52
70	Steve Amata	East Vale CA	18.45			18.45
71	Chris Martens	Leeds AL	18.33			18.33
72	Bob Nokley	Las Vegas NV	18.42	0.2		18.22
73	Matthew Rivera	Aliso Viejo CA	18.21		2.79	18.21
74	Liz Jones	Conoga Park CA	18.26	0.2		18.06
75	Steven Cook	Phoeniz AZ	18.04		2.26	18.04
76	Mona Dunlap	Lake Arrowhead CA	17.97			17.97
77	Dante Ray	Sparks NV	17.86			17.86
78	Erik Bomstad	Temecula CA	17.85			17.85
79	Eddie Lero	Bryan TX	17.87	0.2		17.67
80	Brian Pierce	Colorado Springs CO	17.65	0.2		17.45
81	Layne Gray	Milford UT	17.35			17.35
82	Robert Nicholson	Grand Terrace CA	17.42	0.2		17.22
82	Edward Smith	Blythe CA	17.22			17.22
84	Steve Lindner	Lake Havasu City AZ	17.36	0.2		17.16
85	Brad Ankrum	Grand Junction CO	17.11			17.11
86	Robert Jones	Clayton CA	17.09			17.09
87	Yoki Usuki		17.22	0.2		17.02
88	Robert Rick Adams	Signal Hills CA	17			17
89	Shawn Cooke	Wilcox AZ	16.72			16.72
90	Norman Santos	Rosamond CA	16.71	0.2		16.51
91	Chang Won Park	Palmdale CA	16.49			16.49
92	Larry Holona	Las Vegas NV	16.65	0.2		16.45
93	Jason Caine	Las Vegas NV	16.62	0.2		16.42
94	Andrew M. Schadegg	Reno NV	16.17			16.17
95	Allen Todd	Gardnerville NV	16.16			16.16
96	Tim Demecs	Pheonix AZ	16.08			16.08
97	Christian Borucki	Scottsdale AZ	16.03		1.85	16.03
98	Brant List	Huntington Beach CA	15.78			15.78
99	Yasuhiro Okada	Los Angeles CA	15.72			15.72
100	Bryan Klem	San Diego CA	15.67			15.67
101	Butch Nessline	Peoria AZ	15.61			15.61
101	Tim S. Wells, Sr.	Clovis CA	15.61			15.61
103	James Cope	Las Vegas NV	15.46			15.46
104	Bill Hart	Temecula CA	15.34		1.98	15.34
105	Rick Melead	Yorba Linda CA	15.25	0.2		15.05
106	Julius Mazy	Phoenix AZ	14.94			14.94
107	Chris Mason	South Gate CA	14.92			14.92
108	Paul Reutlinger	West Jordan UT	14.74			14.74
109	Stephen Watte	Calipatria CA	14.6			14.6
110	Patrick McLaren	Las Vegas NV	14.69	0.2		14.49
111	Brian Grizzle	Dahlonega GA	14.97	0.6	3.35	14.37
112	Laythe Moore	Banning CA	14.33			14.33
113	Dan Zehring	Gilbert AZ	14.26			14.26
114	Kevin Tucker	Ontario OR	14.21			14.21
115	Rafael Gonzalez, Jr.	Las Vegas NV	14.39	0.2		14.19
116	Larry Triplett	Aurora CO	14.29	0.2	2.73	14.09
117	Oliver Merrick	Carpinteria CA	13.93			13.93
118	Mike Lepori	Saint Helena CA	13.8			13.8
119	Bret Nagelhout	Red Rock AZ	13.96	0.2		13.76
120	Phillip Hudnall	Huntington Beach CA	13.75			13.75
121	Andrew Napoleon	Mesa AZ	13.28			13.28
122	Jess Torre	Corona CA	13.16			13.16
123	Kirk Russell	Payson AZ	13.52	0.4		13.12
124	Daniel Bonaccorso	Concord, Sydney, NSW	12.38		2.95	12.38
125	Andy Sanchez	Antioch CA	12.2			12.2
126	Troy Blankenship	Orange CA	12.11			12.11
127	Robert Lutes	Saugus CA	12.06			12.06
128	Bob Keck	Las Vegas NV	11.59			11.59
129	Mark Rauenzahn	San Diego CA	11.28			11.28
130	Gunnar Stanton	Boulder City NV	11.25			11.25
131	Dan Cranston	Visalia CA	10.72			10.72
132	Darin Guglielmo	Santa Barbara CA	10.88	0.2	2.11	10.68
133	Zach Holt		10.32		3.26	10.32
134	Carson Sims	Boerne TX	10.27			10.27
135	Todd Dunlap	Lake Arrowhead CA	9.9			9.9
136	Szu Nien Yeh	Las Vegas NV	9.69			9.69
137	Vincent Alcantara	Glendale AZ	8.83			8.83
138	Sonny Gibson	Las Vegas NV	7.35			7.35
139	Dave Cunningham	Hawthorne CA	6.98			6.98
140	Ralph Wells	Castaic CA	6.42			6.42
141	Dino Uwanawich	Camarillo CA	6.25			6.25
142	Tom Nguyen	Lawndale CA	2.13			2.13

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