In a thrilling conclusion at the 2025 Ranger Boats WON Bass Lake Mead Open, Dylan Denny emerged victorious with an impressive total weight of 28.03 pounds. Taking place on September 12, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, the event showcased the intense competition among skilled anglers, with Denny holding a lead over prominent pro Joe Uribe Jr. as the tournament progressed.
Denny kicked off the tournament with an impressive first day, weighing in at 17.63 pounds, largely thanks to significant catches by himself and his day-one AAA partner, Chris Tanner. "The two fish we caught accounted for nearly 10 pounds of the limit," Denny noted, highlighting the importance of teamwork in the angling sport.
Uribe, who started the final day in a solid second place with 16.41 pounds, showcased his skill by landing what he described as, "the largest bass I’ve ever caught at Lake Mead, an 8.05-pound behemoth." This noteworthy catch played a significant role in sustaining Uribe’s momentum throughout the event, even as he ended day two with a weight of 9.32 pounds, ultimately totaling 25.73 pounds.
Emerging as a dark horse in third place was Kevin Hugo, who began the tournament strong and ended with a total weight also sitting at 25.73 pounds but was edged out due to a lesser number of largemouth catches. Denny, who was last to weigh in, needed just over eight pounds to claim the crown. When the scales tipped at 10.40 pounds, Denny clinched the win, prompting elation and surprise.
"I really did not think I could pull this off... it’s just amazing," expressed Denny, clearly taken aback by his triumph. He attributed his success to adaptability in his fishing approach throughout the competition, stating, "I really had to just feel what the fish were doing and throw different things to catch them. The way my two AAA partners and I fished together each day was the real key; we gelled and made a team."
Throughout the tournament, Denny utilized a variety of tactics, successfully employing Lucky Craft LV 500 lipless crankbaits alongside 6th Sense Lures Curve 55 crankbaits. He also incorporated techniques using a 1/2-ounce Evergreen Jackhammer and, when conditions became challenging, he switched to a Carolina rig. However, he chose not to disclose the exact lures for that strategy.
Hugo, who finished in a commendable second place, reflected on his choices, stating that he fished in the Vegas Wash where he had previously found success during practice days. "I caught a couple of frog fish in there on the final day of practice... and once the tournament began, the fishing pressure made me turn to finesse tactics and deeper water," he explained. His finesse techniques proved effective, allowing him to achieve significant catches, including a key fish secured with a Wacky Rigged Yamamoto Senko.
Additionally, the AAA Championship was claimed by Todd Tobiasson from Las Vegas, who surged from second place, finishing with a total weight of 27.90 pounds and pocketing $4,000 for his remarkable performance. Tobiasson noted his progression within the competition, highlighting the fierce nature of the tournament.
The tournament concluded with a robust showing from the competitors, with notable finishes from Uribe, who placed third with 25.73 pounds, Wes Nunley from Washington, Utah, taking fourth with 24.72 pounds, and Noah Sanford from Boulder City, Nevada, rounding out the top five with a weight of 23.60 pounds.
Reflecting on the outcomes, Hugo shared his sentiments about the challenging yet rewarding experience, stating, "I’m happy with the finish, I fished clean and did what I wanted. I would have loved to have won, but Dylan had a great event, congratulations to him."