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LAKE COUNTY, CAlif. — "Moving Day" lived up to its name at the inaugural WON Bass Winter Open, but not before Mother Nature threw a freezing curveball at the field.
Friday morning began with a harsh frost warning as temperatures plummeted to 27 degrees.
The cold was so intense that anglers arrived to find their livewell lids frozen shut during the AM boat check, and many struggled with icy landings while boarding their vessels. Despite the shivering start, the competition on the water was red hot.
The leaderboard saw incredible movement Friday, with three separate "30-pound bags" brought to the scales, putting the top contenders within striking distance of the coveted Century Belt.
Bakersfield resident Mason McAbee’s 9.97-pound monster took Day 2 “Big Bass” honors. He is currently in 13th place with 41.44 pounds.
After a stellar Day 1 with 30.97 lbs, Vance Hayes of Chico surged into the lead by backing it up with a massive 36.24-pound bag.
Garrett Ellison of Nine Mile Falls, Washington, held steady in second place, proving his consistency with another “mega bag” weighing 33.76 pounds.
Joe Uribe Jr. of Surprise, Arizona, stole the show Friday, taking “Big Bag” honors with a staggering 36.79-pound haul, the heaviest of the tournament so far.
The tournament also marked a significant milestone for the Uribe family. Rachel Uribe of San Diego made her professional debut during the tournament.
As the sole female angler in the field, she is currently holding her own in 40th place with a total weight of 18.78 pounds.
The stage is set for a thrilling finale on Saturday. With the Ranger Prize Package on the line, the margins are razor-thin.
In a tournament of this caliber, a single cast on Saturday could be the one that changes a competitor's life forever.
Craig Nelson is a former professional golfer who fell in love with tournament bass fishing 20 years ago. He found Lake County after fishing an FLW Stren Series event and never left. He’s the back-to-back winner of the Konocti Classic and runner up in the inaugural WON Bass Clear Lake Open.
