Mohave next up with another $10,000. Big Fish prize, fall tourney schedule set. The WON BASS 2010 Pro Circuit has reached the halfway point after 3 intense tournaments on the California Delta, Lake Havasu and Shasta with Paul Bailey of Willits, CA holding the lead in the Angler of the Year race that will culminate at the Gran Finale on the Delta Oct. 22 and 23.

Both the Pro Angler of the Year and the winner of the last event on the Delta will win a Nitro Z-7 fully rigged with a Mercury outboard, Motorguide troll motor and Lowrance sonar unit. Bailey knows exactly what he's shooting for, since he already runs a Nitro Z-7.

Halfway means there's a long way to go, however, and that means two more tangles on the Colorado River with two of the best anglers ever to fish the desert a bow platform away from Bailey in the standings. Havasu Champ and three-time U.S. Open winner Mike Folkestad is in second place and Dave Gliebe, a former Open winner himself, is in third.

All three are probably looking forward to a warm few days in the desert town of Laughlin, NV as they head to Lake Mohave May 21-22 for the second event in the Southern Division of the WON BASS Pro Circuit. Not only will the event start to shake out the contenders for the top 30 spots in the region -- who will all qualify for the Western Classic scheduled for Nov. 5 and 6 at a site to be announced -- but once again WON BASS Director Harvey Naslund has put up $10,000 in big fish money.

That's right, the angler, Pro or AAA, that catches a fish a full tenth of a pound bigger than the WON BASS Pro-Am Mohave standard of 8.27 pounds will win $10,000! That means the biggest fish that's 8.37 pounds or better takes home the 10 Gs.

We've already given away $10,000 at the Delta to Guyle Sternat for his monster 14.60 and we had two anglers make a good run at the Lake Havasu weight, with Folkestad at first just hundredths off the first day and Jeff Klicka sure he was going to score big right up until his lunker weighed 8.29 pounds, a half-pound off the 8.78 needed.

On the AAA side of things, Chris Ricci has emerged as the top points score in that division's Angler of the Year race.

It's important to remember that eventually only 5 events will be scored to determine the Angler of the Year. Many northern hot shots, like Robert Lee and Mark Crutcher, are right in the race with only two events to their credit and could be contenders if they head down to Mohave and fish out the rest of the Pro Circuit at Lake Mead Sept. 10-11 and the Gran Finale at the Delta Oct. 22-23.

And don't forget the granddaddy of all the big bass events, the U.S. Open, is set for the middle of the summer July 18-21. You still have time to get your entry in by May 15 and qualify for the early bird signup drawing for a free entry (Pro and AAA) and a Lowrance HD-5 sonar unit (Pro only).

There's a lot of great bass fishing left before the Western Classic, where the winner will get a fully-rigged Nitro Z-7 with Mercury outboard and the growing escrow account from the Pro Option (25-percent goes to the Western Classic fund) means there will be a sizeable cash payout to go along with a bunch more great prizes from sponsors like Ardent, Lowrance, Rapala, Hi-Seas, Daiwa, Sebile, Quantum, Plano, Owner, Pradco and more.

For more information or to sign up for any Pro Circuit event or the U.S. Open, call (949) 366-0030, ext. 38 and ask for Sally or Ashley.

LAKE MOHAVE ITINERARY
Tournament Dates : May 21 & 22

Headquarters: EDGEWATER HOTEL & CASINO
2020 South Casino Dr. Laughlin, NV 89029

For Special WON BASS rates:
Call: 800 677 4837 Ask For WON BASS

Tournament Itinerary:

Thursday, May 20th:
12:00 Noon - 5:00 PM: Registration and Check-in at Rio Vista Room, Edgewater Hotel
2:00 PM: All boats off the water.
4:00 PM : No-host Cocktails, Rio Vista Room
6:00 PM: Tournament Meeting/Pairing of Partners for both days. Attendance Required.

Friday, May 21st
04:30 AM: Commence Boat Inspection @ Catherine Landing
06:15 AM: Presentation of Colors
06:30 AM: First Flight Departs
3:00 PM: First Flight returns.
5:30 PM: Posting of First Round Results - No Host Cocktails @ Rio Vista Room

Saturday, May 22nd
06:30 AM: First Flight Departs
3:00 PM: First Flight returns.
6:00 PM: Awards Ceremony, Drawing for Prizes -No host cocktails @ Rio Vista Room