Bryant Smith Wins 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open with 64.74 pounds

Laughlin, Nev. – The first two days of the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open presented by Ranger Boats and Mercury had proven to be the shootout that was predicted.  As the 172-boat field ventured out on to the waters of Lake Mohave in Laughlin, Nev. for Championship Wednesday less than two pounds separated the day two leader Bryant Smith (43.84 pounds) and second place pro, Kyle Grover (41.88 pounds), the defending Champion.

Like most events, the one thing that is a certainty is that once the field gets accustomed to the conditions, they will change.  The first two days featured barely a breath of wind, and the water’s surface resembled a mirror.  The final day brought winds in in the 10 mile per hour range which added a wrinkle to the narrative of the event.

The question remained as to which of would be able to maintain the quality results they had to date, or would they fall to the hard charging efforts of pros like third place pro Spencer Shuffield (40.99 pounds), fourth place pro Josh Bertrand (40.16 pounds) or fifth place Julius Mazy (40.03 pounds).

The answer to that question would be Smith.  The Roseville, Calif. pro bagged 20.90 pound of Lake Mohave smallmouth bass to push his final weight to 64.74 pounds to earn the top prize of a fully rigged 2024 Ranger Z520R powered by a Mercury ProXS 250 equipped with Lowrance Electronics, Bioenno Lithium Batteries, Power Pole Charge, Megaware Keelguard and DD26 Accessories valued at more than $90,000.  Along with the Ranger / Mercury prize boat, the $70,000 winner’s share of the payout brings his total package to $160,000.

Shuffield finished second after posting a 21.10-pound limit of smallmouth bass to bring his total to 62.09 pounds for the Championship.  2023 U.S. Open Champion Kyle Grover caught a 19.61-pound limit to finish third for the event with 61.49 pounds.  Arizona pro Joe Uribe Jr. weighed 19.89 pounds to post 58.62 pounds and finish fourth while Shane Edgar posted 19.44 pounds to finish with 57.29 pounds to round out the top five.

Bryant reported that his practice period started slow, but that he began to put the pieces of the puzzle together as his pre-tournament scouting progressed.  “It took me a while, but I was able to find them in the same areas I fished last year, but had to make adjustments,” he said.  “I targeted smallmouth that had sand, grass and bait in the main bowl and my depth varied from the 10 to 20-foot range.”

He caught his fish using a green pumpkin Stike King Half Shell on a drop shot rig.  He set it up on a 6’10-inch Alpha Angler DSR spinning rod designed by Elite Series pro Brandon Palaniuk, a Lew’s Custom Lite spinning reel spooled with 10-pound-test braided main line to a 6-pound-test Seaguar Tatsu Fluorocarbon Leader.  His Half  Shell was rigged on a size 4 Gamakatsu Drop Shot hook and 3/8 and 1/2-ounce Tour Grade Tungsten Drop Shot Weights.

He said he had dreams of winning the U.S. Open for many years.  “Every serious angler from the West dreams of being the U.S. Open Champion, and it has been for me for years,” he said.  “Now I can say that I am the winner and is something that hasn’t hit me yet, but this is absolutely humbling; I can’t believe it.”

Like Smith, Shuffield fished on the bottom as well. He fished in the main bowl himself and targeted edges where short grass and rock were inhabited by baitfish.  “I fished a dropshot rig on a 7’3” medium-light Ark Reinforcer spinning rod with 15-pound white Yozuri Super Braid with a 10-pound-test T7 Fluorocarbon and a Baby Too,” he said.  “I also Ned rigged a 7’1” Reinforcer with the same line and caught all of my fish on those two setups using my Livescope to find those edges.”

This marks the second time Shuffield has placed second in the U.S. Open and finishing fourth in his other attempt.  “I am thrilled to have another strong finish out here, but to come close again makes me want it even more,” he said.  “I just wasn’t able to chase Bryant down, but gosh I really want to win this tournament.”

Martin DeHaven, who led the AAA Division after day one, become the AAA Division Champion by posting at three-day total of 51.42 pounds.  Zack Hayes finished second for the championship with 51.14 pounds, he was followed in third position by Dean Yamagata with 51.10 pounds.  Fourth place went to Larry Llanes with 49.91 pounds and Nicolas Skerston finished fifth with 49.82 pounds.

The top 10 standings in each division are below – to see full results go to: https://wonbassevents.com/pages/2024-us-open-pairings-and-results

2024 WON Bass U.S. Open Pro Standings - Final

2024 WON Bass U.S. Open AAA Standings - Final

Other than Smith who is already a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro, and any others who may be double qualified, the Golden Tickets to the 2025 Bassmaster BASS Nation National Championship will be awarded to the top five Pro and AAA anglers and will finalize the season long WON Bass Angler of the Year competition to see who will receive guaranteed slots into the 2025 Bassmaster Opens Elite Qualifiers.

Daily takeoffs and weigh-ins occurred at Katherine Landing at Lake Mohave Marina in Bullhead City, Ariz. with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open Awards happened at the Tropicana Hotel Laughlin.

The 2024 WON Bass Western Opens Series of events consisting of five events in California, Arizona and Nevada culminates with the 2024 WON Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mohave in October 14-16, 2024.  The full schedule of the five event dates are as follows:

Jan. 31–Feb. 2, Lake Shasta - Champion Nick Wood – 47.42 pounds

April 17-19, Clear Lake – Austin Bonjour – 83.28 pounds

May 15-17, Lake Havasu – Joe Uribe Jr. – 57.31 pounds

Sept. 18-20, Lake Mead – Julius Mazy – 45.24 pounds

Oct. 14-16, U.S. Open at Lake Mohave – Bryant Smith – 64.74 pounds

For complete details or to register for the 2025 season, look to wonbassevents.com and WONews.com to hear the latest news about the 2024 season and beyond and follow along at Facebook.com/WONBassTournaments.

The 2024 WON Bass Northern California Lake Mead Open was brought to you by Bass Pro Shops, Ranger Boats, Mercury Marine, Nitro Boats, Triton Boats, Bridgford Foods, Phenix Rods, Yamamoto Baits, Bill Lewis Lures, Buckeye Lures, Steel Shad, Bioenno Power, DD26 Fishing, SOG Knives, Cold Steel Knives, Gamma Line, Power Pole, Lowrance, Daiwa, AFTCO, Costa, Berkley, Abu Garcia, Anderson Toyota, A&M Graphics, Anglers Marine, PRP and Signature Gates.

Local presenting sponsors were Visit Laughlin and Katherine Landing