Rich Tauber, a 24-year-old public relations representative for fishing...

LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- Rich Tauber, a 24-year-old public relations representative for fishing equipment companies, wrapped up the $303,000 Western Bass U.S. Open at Lake Mead Saturday by grabbing the top prize of $50,000.

The tournament, the richest in fishing history, attracted 262 anglers from 26 states who survived searing desert heat of more than 110 degrees on the final day.

Tauber, of Woodland Hills, Calif., entered Saturday's final round with a slim lead over another 24-year-old, Gary Klein. But Tauber turned in a five-fish limit of largemouth bass that weighed 10.21 pounds, giving him a four-day total of 37.38 pounds. Klein, of Oroville, Calif., finished fourth.

Turning in the heaviest limit of bass Saturday was Guido Hibdon of Versailles, Mo. Hibdon's final-day surge left him in second place with a prize of $20,000. Third was defending tournament champion Greg Hines of Santa Ana, Calif.

Rounding out the top 10 were Rick Butler of Ventura, Calif., Roland Martin of Clewiston, Fla., Larry Nixon of Hemphill, Texas, Renaud Pelletier of Longview, Wash., Chuck English of Cypress, Calif., and Mike Folkestad of Anaheim, Calif.

Tauber was presented with the $50,000 in stacks of $50 bills at Saturday night's award ceremonies.