California pro captures event and season championships

CLEARLAKE, Calif., April 27, 2002 –Aaron Martens loves Clear Lake. On Saturday the Northern California fishery returned some love to Martens allowing the California pro to claim both the California CITGO BASSMASTER Western Open Championship and the season points championship on the CITGOBASSMASTER Western Open series.

"I wanted this bad," said a relieved Martens who claims $35,000 for the win. "I love this lake. Of all the lakes we fish, this is my favorite lake in the country. So I worked extra hard for this. I can’t wait to come back here next year with the Tour." 

Martens caught 67 pounds 15 ounces of bass over the three-days of competition to claim the victory by a scant 10 ounces over fellow Californian Skeet Reese. Reese ended the event with 67-5 followed by Mark Crutcher, 66-12; Steve Klein, 64-11 and day two leader Mark Kile, 64-2. "The wind kind of messed up fishing for us today," explained Martens. "So my partner and I put our heads together and tried some flipping and some swimbaits."

The baits that worked best for Martens throughout the event included a Zipper Grub by Robo Worm, a Mission Fish and large swimbaits. Reese, who finished second in the event was also attempting to qualify for this summer’s CITGO BASS Masters Classic, but fell short—by one point.

"It was a war going into this last day," said Reese who found success on Terminator Snapback plastics rigged with Extra Edge sinkers. "I struggled to get a small limit sight fishing then decided to make a gamble on a spot I hadn’t fished in two years. I went for broke throwing a big swimbait and caught a nine pounder in the last 15 minutes of the day."

The four anglers qualifying for the CITGO BASS Masters Classic include Martens, Nevada’s Jack Gadlage, and Californians Luke Clausen and Mike O’Shea.

Overall the field found fishing slightly tougher today for numbers of fish, but weights were up slightly. The field brought in a total of 250 bass weighing 918-6 compared to 261 weighing 859-7 on Friday. Larry Hopper captured the big bass award for his 9-14 lunker.

The 32nd CITGO BASS Masters Classic will take place July 25-27 in Birmingham, Ala.

Sponsors of the California CITGO BASSMASTER Western Open include: CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Chevrolet Trucks, Mercury Marine, Yamaha Outboards, Triton Boats, Skeeter Boats, Lowrance Electronics, Flowmaster Exhaust Systems, Stowaway Batteries, Kumho Tires, Long John Silver's, Gore-Tex Outerwear, MotorGuide Trolling Motors, Bass Pro Shops, Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools, GMAC/ B.A.S.S. Vehicle & Boat Insurance, B.A.S.S. Platinum Visa/First USA.

Associate Sponsors include: Bass Cat Boats and G3 Boats