The Ohio Walleye Federation held its 2014 Ravenna Marine Inland Lake 2-Day Champhionship on Berlin Lake June 21 & 22.  After several days of thunderstorms and severe weather Berlin Lake had risen 4ft in just two days before the tournament.  Teams persevered through the tough pre-fishing understanding fluctuating water levels had made a normally tough bite tougher and knowing landing every bite would be critical to claiming the guaranteed $2500 1^st place prize.  The team of Collin Murphy and Jay Dossi persevered over 25 other teams bringing in a 5 fish limit each day for a 2 day total of 25.48lbs capturing the $2500 1^st place prize.  Murphy/Dossi reported a tough day of pre-fishing the day before the tournament eventually catching one 4lber in shallow water.  Knowing that was the size fish that was needed to win the tournament the team decided they were going to focus on shallow water all day and try to grind out 5 bites.  The plan came together and after day 1 they were in the lead with a 5 fish bag of over 14.5lbs.  Day 2 the team was able to scratch out another 5 fish limit securing the first place prize.  Murphy/Dossi reported catching their fish on jig and worms in 3-5ft of water.  Second place went to the team of Robert Burkholder and Marion Erb with a 2 day total of 22.84lbs.   They also caught their fish using jig and worms in 15-22ft of water.  The top two teams were the only teams to bring in a 5 fish limit each day showing once again the consistency is critical to winning a two day tournament.  Other top finishing teams included Mulraney/Sharrone in 3^rd, Drotar/Bowen in 4^th, Dossi/Barwick in 5^th and Shipman/Shipman in 6^th.    Reports from the remaining placing teams were a mix of jigging with worms and trolling crankbaits on leadcore.

The 2014 ILC points team champion was also determined with the team of Robert Burkholder and Marion Erb taking 1^st place.  The team had a great year with a 4^th place finish at Mosquito Lake, 2^nd place at Pymatuning Lake,  2^nd place at Lake Milton, 2^nd place on day 1 of Berlin Championship and 6^th place finish on day 2 of Berlin Championship.  The team of Shipman/Shipman were 2^nd in points and Siembor/Whitlatch were  3^rd.

More details and complete results can be found at www.FishOWF.com

Thanks to our Sponsors: Ravenna Marine, Fin, Feather and Fur, Vic’s Sports Center, Kerr’s Automotive, World Wide Marine, Canyon Coolers, Reef Runner Fishing Lures, Haines Marine, Traxstech Fishing System, B & B Tangle Free Bait Boxes, Cisco Fishing System, Kames Sports, Fish Usa, Rednek Outfitters, Church Tackle Co., Erie Outfitters and Rodmakers Shop.

When it comes to fishing Lake Erie, the main question is always, who is willing to make a long run to find the bigger fish to win the tournament?  That was mostly the case again this year launching out Bolles Harbor.  Bolles Harbor is a nice launch and great parking to hold the event.  The club members  do not have to make a long run out of the launch to catch fish, however, if they want to shoot for the larger walleyes and win the tournament it would be a trip towards West Sister Island and beyond.
The weather started off a little shaky on tournament morning .  The teams that fished Breast Bay had rain and hail that filled the bottom of the boats and of course our friend, the wind, in the morning.  The teams that ran out towards West Sister and beyond had some rain and wind and a lot of dark clouds.  However, by the end of the day it laid down and became a great day to be out.
When it can to the end, 27 boats brought in 88 fish to the scales, three more boats than the previous trip to Lake Erie in 2013.  It was a decent day and everyone enjoyed the outing.  Look for the top 10 to share techniques and location on where they caught fish.  The question has already arisen about next year, are we fishing Port Clinton and are we going to be able to fish in Canadian waters?
Where the club fishes next year will be voted on by the membership and the Board will discuss the Canadian water issue for 2015.  The question will always remain, are you willing to make the run to win a tournament?

View Results

The Brant and Fields Commemorative Walleye Tournament was held June 15, 2014. Thirty-three teams participated. Rainy, cold and windy conditions Saturday  changed to calm, sunny and 80 degrees Sunday for the tournament. The team of John Maholic, Bradford, PA, and Matt Clark, Mount Jewett, PA, cleaned up with the big basket of the day and biggest fish.

They brought a full basket to the scales weighing 11.72 pounds including a big fish of 4.70 pounds. With that catch they took home $4,459.00. A very generous donation to the Alan Ward Whopper Walleye pot of $2000.00 came from the Warren Elks Lodge 223. Their involvement has increased the big fish payout tremendously. Their Exalted Ruler, Jeff Frailey, said they would like to continue their participation.

In the afternoon before the teams returned to the scales, National Professional Anglers Association member Brent Long put on a fishing clinic for 13 children. He covered PFD safety, knot tying, bait and casting. Using poles baited with  plastic minnows, they had the opportunity to cast for some plastic fish. The clinic ended with a book and brand new fishing pole for each of the children.

The day ended for the fishermen with 116 fish for 160.62 pounds. There were 19 limits and 5 blanks. Total payout for the day was $7,651.00.

View Results

Huge weights, and a new champion is crowned at the Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Sharpnack Direct, Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) “Championship” tournament, hosted by Erie Outfitters of Sheffield Lake Ohio.

The final event of the 2014 season kicked off with 10-12 teams still within striking distance of the prestigious 2014 LEWT Team of the Year award. The two day championship event held at Huron Ohio would decide the 2014 battle for Lake Erie Walleye Supremacy!

The first day of the tournament was sunny and calm as the team of Ronnie Rhodes and Joe Whitten brought in a monster bag of five fish weighing 49.23# to take nearly a seven pound lead going into Sunday. On day two anglers were met by cloudy skies that were in no time giving way to rain. No problem for Rhodes and Whitten as they added another 44.36 pounds for a two day total of 93.59 pounds, as they cruised to their second victory of the 2014 campaign. Second place went to Jason Kopf and Rodger Riggs with 10 fish and 82.14 pounds. In the third spot Robert and Anna Lester had a two day total of ten fish and 78.54 pounds.

Winners – Ronnie Rhodes and Joe Whitten

Randy Eyre and Corey Miller used a strong sixth place finish at the Championship to capture the coveted 2014 LEWT Team of the Year title. LEWT sponsor Smooth Moves is awarding our Team of the Year anglers a pair of Smooth Moves Ultra Suspension seats. Tournament host “Erie Outfitters” is also supplying embroidered Team of the Year jackets to each of our winning team members.

Rhodes and Whitten also brought in the largest walleye of the tournament at 11.33 pounds to win the first place Big Fish cash prize. Second place cash went to Randy Cline and Robert Kitts for an 11.22 pound walleye.

Randy Cline and Robert Kitts cashed in on the $150 Medina Plating Early Bird award that goes to the top finishing team that entered all four events before the Early Bird deadline.

2014 LEWT Team of the Year, Randy Eyre and Corey Miller

LEWT title sponsor Sharpnack Direct pays a cash prize to the highest finishing LEWT angler who owns a vehicle purchased from Sharpnack. Randy Cline also won this $150 cash award.

Using a random drawing, four teams were awarded vouchers for a free electronic mapping chart from LEWT sponsor Navionics. This is a great prize. The $50 J&J Roofing Loyalty cash was also given via random drawing.

The top three teams in the Team of the Year race will receive bids to represent the WBSA/LEWT at the Cabela’s National Team Championship event in 2014, sponsored by The Walleye Federation.

Over two days the 46 teams brought 432 walleye to the scales that averaged 6.49 pounds. Teams mentioned fishing from Kelley’s Island clear over to Lorain. The winners used Reefrunner crank baits to pull their winning bag, while the rest of the teams reported using a mixed bag of crank baits and crawler harnesses.

For more information about WBSA/LEWT, and full results on our tournaments and Team of the Year standings, please visit www.wbsa.us

The Western Basin Sportfishing Association is a social based club for anglers that fish in the Western and Central Basins of Lake Erie and its tributaries. Membership is open to anyone interested in fishing, no matter their location or skill level. Our goal is to present information in a manner that will help sustain and improve fishing in one of the greatest inland sport fisheries in the world. Scientific information, fishing techniques, locations and presentations are presented at our meetings by expert and knowledgeable speakers and tournament anglers from our group. These anglers are very open with techniques, and will help any member that is trying to learn new methods.

Please support our 2014 LEWT sponsors: Cabela’s, Crown Battery Systems, Sharpnack Direct in Willard, Magee East Campground and Marina, Medina Plating, Ranger Boats, Waldo Peppers Restaurant, Smooth Moves, Worldwide Marine Underwriters, Reef Runner Lures, Vic’s Sports Center, Erie Outfitters, Navionics, Rednek Outfitters, Hi-Way Bait Tackle and Lodging.