LAKEPORT — Nathan Phillips of Cobb was the last person to weigh in Friday during the final round of the three-day 11th annual WON BASS California Open pro-am bass tournament at Library Park in Lakeport.
With Kelseyville’s Jackson Juarez holding the lead with 68.18 pounds, Phillips, a Kelseyville High School and Simpson University (Redding) graduate seeking his first California Open title, needed 15.65 pounds to overtake Juarez and win a $67,500 prize package that included a new bass boat along with $25,000 in cash.
Phillips didn’t disappoint. While Juarez weighed in the biggest bag of the day, a five-fish limit of 26.62 pounds, Phillips brought 22.30 pounds to the weigh scale to move atop the standings and claim the victory with 76.34 pounds.
Consistency was the key for Phillips as he was the only pro in the 148-man field to weigh in 20-plus pounds each day. Phillips brought big bags of 28.48 and 25.56 to the weigh scale on Wednesday and Thursday as he led the tournament wire to wire.
Juarez had a good start with 24.69 on Wednesday but fell off to 16.87 on Thursday, which was the difference. Juarez pocketed $15,000 for his runner-up finish. He and Phillips exchanged a big hug after Phillips was declared the winner. Both men were sponsored by Clearlake Outdoors of Lakeport.
Gary Collins of Upper Lake also finished high in the standings. After briefly holding the lead early Friday, he ended up eighth overall in the standings with 57.94 pounds, one of 29 pros to weigh in 50 or more pounds during the tournament.
Top-10 finishers in the pro division besides Phillips, Juarez and Collins were Daylon Smith of Frazier Park, third with 64.70; Paul Ramsey of Ojai, fourth with 60.86; Chris Costello of Gilroy, fifth with 59.31; Kent Brown of Roseville, sixth with 58.45; John Karayan of Ventura, seventh with 58.24; Jake Evans of El Cajon, ninth with 56.51; and Todd Kline of San Clemente, 10th with 56.45.
Other pros
Paul Bailey of Kelseyville placed 15th overall with 53.97 pounds and Zach Ploeger of Nice was 32nd with 49.39 pounds.
Amateur
Troy Mays of Ione won the amateur or co-angler division with 57.72 pounds, which earned him $6,000. He edged out David Drake of Placentia, Phillips’ amateur partner on Wednesday. Drake ended up with 57.28 pounds.
Lakeport’s Jason Nuchols finished sixth overall with 53.68 pounds.
Big fish
Ethan Hammer of Peoria, Arizona, competing in the amateur division, caught the big bass of the tournament, an 8.24-pounder.
