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Vernal, Utah — For a lake to be named after a bird that thrives off fish, one would expect it to be stocked to the gills with the water-dwellers.

Members of the District 92 American Bass Anglers club found out first-hand how Pelican Lake got its name for a reason.

The ABA hosted its second weekend tournament May 31 and June 1 in what District 92 Director Steve Drake said was a success.

"I did terrible," he said. "But everybody else did really well. You couldn't have asked for better weather on both days. It was a good weekend and we all had a good time."

The event was broken into two, one-day tournaments.

To place, anglers needed to hook five fish at least 12 inches long with one fish allowed more than 15 inches.

The top three finishers earned money, and more importantly, points that are totaled at the end of the season and placed toward a regional tournament berth.

Vernal, Utah, resident Jesse Atwood had the most success in the event's first day.

Atwood tallied five fish weighing 9.38 pounds, earning $468 and 199 points.

Atwood also earned the "big bass" award, given out to the angler who reeled in the tournaments' biggest fish.

Atwood's largemouth weighed 3.68 pounds, earning him another $95.

"That lake is Jesse's backyard," Drake said. "That's part of the whole thing. Knowing the water you fish in."

First-time ABA angler Rod Thurgood, a Craig resident, won the second day's top prize of $430, totaling 11.25 pounds.

Thurgood also earned 197 points toward regionals.

Atwood claimed the "big bass" award for the second consecutive day, hauling in a fish weighing 3.39 pounds, pocketing another $85 toward his weekend total.

Craig resident Alex Medrano Sr. placed in the top three both days, earning a total of $331 and 393 points.

"It was a good weekend for me," Medrano Sr. said. "The lake had so many fish in it, if you didn't catch anything, you don't know what you are doing."

Medrano Sr. said his success came from using mostly plastic worms. Top-water lures weren't getting any bites, he added.

But, he didn't want to reveal all of his angling secrets.

"I don't want tell everything I did," he said. "Next time, I'll get beat."

The ABA ventures into the waters of Starvation Lake, Utah on June 14 and 15 for the third weekend tournament of the season.