Day one of tournament Logan Maltese of Havasu was in the lead with 18.94 pounder at Havasu Riviera Marina. Photo courtesy
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Since 1982, Won Bass tournaments still remain the steadfast badge of spirited sport fishing eminence. On the early mornings of Tuesday, May 5 and Wednesday, May 6, pre and regular signups occurred just days before the three-day contest. The lake was surrounded by eager fishers from Thursday, May 7 and concluded Saturday, May 9 at the Havasu Riviera Marina.
With competitions that primarily take place in Nevada and Arizona, the contests continue to captivate both accomplished and beginner fisherfolk each season. There are six tournaments a year, with courses that finish annually in catches of supreme bass. This year’s tournament registrations were open as late as April 30 for last week’s casting showdown.
Advanced players are fondly known as pro anglers, were eligible to win $1,000 while novices played for a $400 prize. Pro anglers own their own trailer or boat and is the driver during the contest. Co-Anglers often referred to as amateurs, compete in the championships and stay on the boat of a co-angler.
This gave newcomers time to obtain some expertise from pros, and a chance to someday advance to the pro level. This year ten groups of two maneuvered the waters of Lake Havasu for massive fish and cash prizes. Opening day, fisherman pro Logan Maltese of Havasu along with teammate AAA partner Dennies Saiki from Torrance, CA were in the lead with their capture of an 18.94 pounder. This year
Las Vegas competitor Cody Steckel was the 2026 WON Bass Lake Havasu Open Champion. Steckel’s three-day catches added up to 50.24 pounds. He also won a new Ranger Z5218 Mercury worth over $50,000.
Damon Motley from Orange, CA took the AAA Division Championship title for 46.43 weighs he had caught in last three days of the tournament. It was almost tied with Jason Marquez and Anthony Garcia. The two professionals that almost caught the same amount however, Marquez landed second, with 49.68 pounds and Garcia got third with a catch that weighed 49.65 pounds.
Won Bass Director of Tournaments Bill Eagen who has been in the role for over fifteen years feel he owes the success of last week’s contest to the competitors, and location of where all the action took place. “The year’s fish pulls were awesome to and the Havasu Riviera Marina was great to working with throughout the whole process,” Eagen said.
Phaedra Veronique
