US Open Set to Begin Monday on Lake Mead

The practice has wrapped up, the anglers are ready, and the 30th Anniversary of the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open is set to takeoff into the Nevada desert on Lake Mead tomorrow morning. Along with the start of the most prestigious single event in Western bass fishing, the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open Live presented by Costa Sunglasses will also commence.

Noted as one of the toughest tournaments in the world to win, the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open is a challenge to angles because of the harsh desert conditions coupled with the fact that Lake Mead can often be less than generous with her bass populations.

Conditions for the 30th Anniversary event are expected to be pleasant. The temperatures are expected to be warm, with highs in the low to mid 90's with overnight lows dipping into the mid 70s. Winds are expected to be light, with steady breezes and only minimal gusts expected. What this means is that the anglers will be able to target bass on Lake Mead wherever they desire, as light winds will not whip up the surface of Lake Mead into a churning washing machine basin. Day one may prove to be interesting, as afternoon thunder showers with a chance of rain present themselves on the horizon, and we will see what that means for day one.

Historically, the U.S. Open of Bass Fishing has been a tight contest, and that should be no different this year. Two time U.S. Open John Murray of Phoenix, Ariz. said it has not been easy fishing. "You can catch quite a few out there, but good ones are harder to come by," said Murray. "The little bit of weather we're supposed to get might help a bit, at least with the quality fish."

Mike Folkestad, a three-time WON Bass U.S. Open Champion said that fishing should be good. "everyone is going to catch them, it will come down to who can get one or two bigger bites," he said. "It's been tough for me, but I believe that it will still take 11 to 12 pounds a day to win."

The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury U.S. Open takeoff will occur at Callville Bay Marina on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday beginning at 5:45AM, with daily weigh-ins starting at 2:00PM. Following the event's conclusion on Wednesday, a champion will be crowned at Boulder Station Casino the final evening of the event.

The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses Webcasts will begin with a pregame show from the Boulder Station Casino after the Sponsor Showcase and mandatory partner pairing meeting.   Daily event coverage will begin following tournament take off with hourly updates at 7:00AM, 8:00AM, 9:00AM, 10:00AM and 11:00AM each day, followed by weigh-in coverage beginning at 2:00PM and finally a 6:00PM post game show; all show times are Pacific Standard Time. Also, catch the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses today at 4:00PM PST.

The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses Webcasts can be accessed by visiting www.wonbass.com, or directly at the event page of the 2012 The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses - http://www.wonbass.com/archives/2012/pro/news/us_open/us_open.html

The WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open presented by Costa Sunglasses is also brought to you by Nitro Boats, Mercury Outboards, Costa Sunglasses, Mustad Hooks, Yozuri, SNUGTop, Seaguar, Plano Tackle Systems, ZBlok, Daiwa, TOP This, Mud Hole, Promar, Big Hammer Swimbaits, Trolling Motor Doctor, River2Sea, SPRO, YUM, Seeker Fishing Rods, Optimum Baits an Zip Baits.

128 Pros and their AAA partners will head out onto the waters of Lake Mead tomorrow to contest the 30th Anniversary of the WON Bass Nitro Boats / Mercury Marine U.S. Open. The list of pros is below in alphabetical order.