Bertrand Tops 20 Pounds Again To Retain U.S. Open Lead

By Dan O'Sullivan
WON Bass

When the second day of the 2022 WON Bass U.S. Open began, the setting was nearly identical to the warm, slick conditions that greeted the anglers on Day 1. The same could be said for the top of the leaderboard at the end of the day in Laughlin, Nev. as Arizona pro Josh Bertrand held onto his lead with another limit of smallmouth that eclipsed 20 pounds.

Pre-tournament logic said that someone would bring in a 20-pound bag from Lake Mohave, but many wondered if it would be a feat that was repeatable. Bertrand proved that it was by backing up his 23.45-pounds Day-1 stringer with 20.39 pounds to retain his lead with a total of 43.79 pounds.

Bertrand, who revealed on Day 1 that he had been holding some areas for the final day of competition, had to touch those areas on Day 2.

“It was a tougher day for me today numbers-wise and I had to expand on my approach a little,” said Bertrand. “I didn’t have to lean on the areas I’d been saving, but I did have to add a couple fish later in the day to top 20 pounds.”

He added that he feels good about the final day.

“It’s no secret that I’m using one of my confidence baits, and I have good areas, so I feel like I have a good chance,” he said. “If I can put my Berkley Flatworm in front of enough smallmouth, I feel like I’ll give myself a chance to close it out.”

MLF Pro Circuit TITLE champion Spencer Shuffield of Arkansas was the final angler to weigh-in, and he put an exclamation point on Day 2. Shuffield brought a 20.73-pound limit to the scales to jump into second place with 39.43 pounds.

Shuffield, fresh off his TITLE victory, finds comfort in his settings.

“I’ve always looked forward to fishing the U.S. Open and Mohave is an amazing smallmouth fishery,” he said. “I have been expanding on my areas every day and I feel like if I can do it again tomorrow, I’ll have a chance.”

Hot on his heels in third place is three-time WON Bass U.S. Open champion Clifford Pirch, who posted his second consecutive 19-pound limit for a total weight of 39.36 pounds heading into championship day. Patrick Touey, who started the event in second place, fell to fourth plce with a 17.33-pound limit to push his two-day total to 37.75 pounds, and Todd Kline caught 19.54 pounds to push his total weight to 36.31 pounds to round out the Top 5 in the pro division.

The champion will be crowned at the conclusion of Wednesday's weigh-in, with the awards ceremony to be held at the E Center in Laughlin.

For full results, click here.