Immediate Press Release
For more information, contact:
Jon Siembor-OWF Committee
(440)344-0145
fishowf@gmail.com
Booher/Burns “Bridge the Gap” at OWF Pymatuning Lake Tournament!
ANDOVER, Ohio -The Ohio Walleye Federation held its third tournament of the 2017 season on Sunday May 21st at Pymatuning Lake. Twenty five teams took the water looking for the big bag of walleye that would earn a share of $4200 in prize money.
Anglers reported little to no fish being caught prefishing. Walleye were not yet set up in the shallow weed flats for their typical presummer bite. Trolling efforts were also proving fruitless. Over abundant schools of baitfish, leftover from the mild winter, continue to provide a smorgasbord for the finicky walleye. Fisherman struggled to find any kind of bite pattern.
One team put the key pieces of the puzzle together on tournament day. The team of Steve Booher of Wadsworth, Ohio and Donnie Burns of Austintown, Ohio claimed the 1st place finish with 4 fish at 12.40 lbs. Their creel also included the Haines Marine Big Fish of the day at 7.65 lbs. This is their second victory of the 2017 season. The team once again vertically jigged ¼ oz. Vibes as the winning presentation. At the weigh in, Steve Booher explained, “We were targeting mid lake bridge pillars in 16’ to 20’ feet of water where the current was forming an eddy. We had the left the spot earlier in the day, as the wind made it too hard to hold the boat. Around noon, the wind died down and I felt we could hold our position so we returned to the spot. Between 12:30 to 1:30 pm, we caught the fish we needed, with the last fish being the biggest!” Their efforts earned the team $1800 in prize money for the day.
Second place was awarded to the team of Chad Fenstermaker and Tom Brenkert with 7.53 lbs. Third place went to Mark Drotar and Travis Bowen with one fish at 5.84 lbs., also earning the team 2nd Big Fish of the day. The teams of Bob Honaker and Kevin Kalinowski with 4.21 lbs. and Erick Williams at 2.60 lbs. completed the top five.
The top five teams reported catching fish using Vibes, jigging, and trolling mixed crankbaits. Clown, green flash, gold, black and chartreuse colors were used in their presentations. Of the 25 teams fishing the event, only six teams recorded catching a fish and only twelve walleye were brought to the scales.
A picnic was held Saturday evening sponsored by the OWF Committee and volunteers. 40 fisherman and family members attended and talked fishing, ate good food, and relaxed. The OWF promotes “Fishing, Family, Friends and Fun!”
The Ohio Walleye Federation will hold its fourth and final Inland Lake event of the season at Lake Milton Sunday June 25th 2017. The OWF events are possible because of our sponsor support. For more information please visit www.fishowf.club or e mail fishowf@gmail.com. Check us out on FACEBOOK- Ohio Walleye Federation.
The general public is welcome to attend our weigh-in beginning at 3 pm the day of the event
Ohio Walleye Federation-Pymatuning Lake
1st Place $1600 Steve Booher and Donnie Burns 12.40 lbs
2nd Place $800 Chad Fenstermaker and Tom Brenkert 7.53 lbs
3rd Place $600 Mark Drotar and Travis Bowen 5.84 lbs
4th Place $400 Bob Honaker and Kevin Kalinowski 4.21 lbs
5th Place $300 Erick Williams(A one man team!) 2.60 lbs
6th Place $150 Paul Kerr and Brian Davies 1.28 lbs
Big Fish $200 Steve Booher and Donnie Burns 7.65 lbs
Special Thanks to all of our sponsors:
Ravenna Marine-OWF’s ILC Title Sponsor
Vic’s Marine-OWF’s Lake Erie Title Sponsor
Haine’s Marine
Fin Feather & Fur
Worldwide Insurance
Warrior Lures
Domka Outdoors
Reef Runner
Kerr Automotive
Fish D Funk
Snakebite Snaps
Les’s Bait
Kames
Cisco
Fish USA
Church’s Tackle
Traxstech
These sponsors make our tournaments possible!!!!