Nollar nets lead in Arizona

Tough fishing conditions, high winds keep leaderboard tightly packed at Stren Series Western Division contest at Lake Havasu

LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. – As expected, Lake Havasu offered anglers few favors during Wednesday’s opening round of Stren Series Western Division competition in Arizona. By the time weigh-in had concluded, Havasu had only yielded a paltry 37 limits in the Pro Division and an even more anemic six limits overall in the Co-angler Division. In total, 77 anglers didn’t even manage one fish worthy enough to bring to the scales.

According to many pros, the recent string of multiple cold fronts and higher-than-average winds served as the main culprits in keeping weights down across the board. The relative lack of big bites also kept the entire 10-top pro leaderboard within an amazing 2 pounds, 11 ounces of each other. However, while many pros continue to be frustrated by the conditions on Havasu, bass-fishing fans are clearly in for a treat – as this tournament has all of the makings of one of the closest contests in recent memory.

Given the tough fishing conditions, conventional wisdom also dictated that locals would have a real advantage during the four-day event. However, Lake Havasu quickly dispelled that theory as the day-one pole position belonged to Brian Nollar, a native of Homer, Alaska.

Using modified homemade bait known as a “Tail Spin,” Nollar was one of the few anglers who showed the ability to unlock the complex Lake Havasu jigsaw puzzle.

“The best part is that nobody else has this bait,” said Nollar, who recorded a total catch of 14 pounds, 14 ounces. “I poured this bait myself and tweaked it the right way. Basically, a Tail Spin is a lead lure with a spinner on the back. It’s kind of like a Little George but different. The one thing this lure does is allow me to cover lots of water really quickly.”

Nollar said that he fishes the bait on the bottom and is able to cover miles of water at a time.

“I probably made 800 casts today,” he said. “I’m concentrating on about four miles of shoreline. I’m fishing breaks and slowing down when I find some habitat. Basically, I’m just beating the banks. There is absolutely no pattern to it.”

Nollar, whose stringer included four smallmouths and one largemouth, said he is going after any and all qualifying species.

“I caught about 11 fish today and all of those fish came at different depths,” said Nollar, who landed his catch anywhere between 9 and 25 feet of water. “But it was definitely tough out there. Because of the wind, the bite changed completely from practice.”

While excited to be in first place, Nollar said that he has a long way to go before he is able to hoist the winner’s trophy.

“Consistency is what wins these tournaments,” said Nollar. “And if the fishing gets back to where it was last week, I won’t have any trouble bringing in a limit every day. It’s still early. But I really think I have a shot at winning this thing.”

Best of the rest

Finishing the day in second place, only 12 ounces behind Nollar, was Tim Wilsterman of Lake Havasu City. Right behind him were two other Lake Havasu City residents, Terrence Rath (third place – 14 pounds, 1 ounce) and Shaun Bailey (tied for fourth place – 13 pounds, 14 ounces).

Robert Lee of Angels Camp, Calif., also finished the day tied for fourth place with a catch of 13 pounds, 14 ounces. Lee is also coming off an impressive third-place finish at Lake Shasta this January – the opening Stren Series Western Division event of the 2008 season.

Meanwhile, Brandon Ober of Camarillo, Calif., won the day’s Big Bass award with a 5-pound, 2-ounce catch. Ober won $250 for his efforts.

Zanotelli grabs co-angler lead

Using an impressive catch of 13 pounds, Tony Zanotelli of Redding, Calif., captured the top spot in the Co-angler Division standings. Zanotelli currently holds a 2-pound, 5-ounce lead over his next closest competitor.

Sean Kimble of San Leandro, Calif., netted second place overall with a 10-pound, 11-ounce catch.

Rounding out the top-five co-angler leaders at the FLW Series Lake Havasu event:

3rd: Austin Ziemann of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., 10-9

4th: Gayle Janes of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., 9-13

5th: Michael Wright of Grass Valley, Calif., 9-3

Mike Krnaich of Petaluma, Calif., won the day’s Big Bass award in the Co-angler Division with a 4-pound catch.

Day two of Stren Series Western Division action at Lake Havasu continues at Thursday’s takeoff, scheduled to take place at 7 a.m. (Mountain Time) at Lake Havasu State Park, located at 699 London Bridge Road in Lake Havasu City, Ariz.