May 6, 2013.
A very tight finish at the Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Sharpnack Direct, Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) tournament hosted by Hi-Way Bait, Tackle and Lodging.
Teams fishing in the third LEWT tournament of the 2013 season were met with mostly sunny skies and 10-15 knot east winds as they arrived at the Sandusky boat launch facility. “The weather has been stable the past few days” commented LEWT tournament Director Joe Yingling. “But the persistent east and northeast winds usually indicate a tougher bite for the walleye fishing.”
Topping the weights coming to the scales was the team of Mike Robertson and Joe Horstman with five fish weighing 36.18 pounds to take the win. Less than one half pound behind them with five fish weighing 35.73 pounds was Joseph Bird and Bret Berkey. Ryan Wall and Rob Hoover took third place with five fish weighing in at 35.15 pounds. Only 1.29 pounds separated first place from fifth place.
Father and son duo David and Travis Hartman brought in a huge 11.53 pound walleye to win the Big Fish cash prize. Mike Naughton and Scott Hosier had the second largest fish of the day at 10.81 pounds.
Robertson and Horstman also cashed in on the the Medina Plating Early Bird award that goes to the top finishing team that entered all four events before the Early Bird deadline.
LEWT title sponsor Sharpnack Direct pays a cash prize to the highest finishing LEWT angler who owns a vehicle purchased from Sharpnack. Bud Wehrly came away with the $150 cash award.
The 48 teams brought 171 walleye to the scales that averaged 3.56 pounds. The general area north of Kelley’s island was the spot most mentioned by the anglers. The tournament winners used Reefrunner crankbaits to pull their winning bag, while the rest of the teams that cashed checks were using crawler harnesses. Many teams commented that Saturday was a much tougher bite than the day before the tournament, despite the stable weather pattern.
Special thanks to Hi-Way Bait, Tackle and Lodging in Marblehead for sponsoring this event. They also provided some great pizza at the weigh in for our anglers and spectators.
The final remaining 2013 LEWT tournament will be held: June 1st and 2nd –Huron- City Ramp – “Erie Outfitters LEWT Championship”
Please support our 2013 LEWT sponsors: Sharpnack Direct in Willard, Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Medina Plating, Waldo Peppers Restaurant, Happy Hooker Bait and Tackle, Blue Water Fishing Products, Smooth Moves, Reef Runner Lures, Vic’s Sports Center, Erie Outfitters, Ole Pete's Tackle, Navionics, Rednek Outfitters, Hi-Way Bait Tackle and Lodging, Hi Tech Custom Painted Baits.
April 23,2013
Rough and tough conditions at the Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Sharpnack Direct, Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) second 2013 tournament hosted by Waldo Peppers Restaurant.
After two straight days of 30 knot winds that caused the postponement of the tournament to Sunday, anglers were greeted with muddy water, cold temperatures, rapidly rising barometric pressure, and brisk east-northeast winds. “What a difference three weeks makes” said LEWT tournament Director Joe Yingling. “The last tournament we had perfect weather with sunny skies and calm winds, the requirement of dealing with these different conditions is what makes walleye tournament fishing such a challenge.”
Despite the tough conditions, the team of Michael Doornick and David Pontius brought home a bag of five fish weighing 36.90 pounds to take the win. Second place went to Dave Frey and Lonnie Hanchosky with five fish and 32.96 pounds, Jerome Doorlock and Todd Miller took the third spot with five fish weighing 29.54 pounds.
Randy Eyre and Daniel Woodward brought in a 9.82 pound walleye to win the Big Fish cash award. The team of Bob Barnhart and Eric Van Denk took second place with a 9.55 pound walleye.
Doornink and Pontius also won the Medina Plating Early Bird award that goes to the top finishing team that entered all four events before the Early Bird deadline.
LEWT title sponsor Sharpnack Direct offers a cash prize to the highest finishing LEWT angler who owns a vehicle purchased from Sharpnack. Aaron Humbert came away with the $150 cash award.
The tournament winners used deep diving Reef Runner lures in the area of Middle Bass Island to catch their winning bag. Again, crank baits were reported to catch the majority of the fish, with a couple caught on crawler harnesses. A total of 67 walleye were brought to the scales by 47 teams, with the average weight being 6.21 pounds.
A big “thank you” to Waldo Peppers restaurant in Port Clinton for sponsoring this event. They also provided some excellent food at the weigh in for our anglers, and spectators.
The remaining 2013 LEWT schedule is as follows:
May 4th – Sandusky – City Ramp “Hi-Way Bait, Tackle and Lodging LEWT”
June 1st and 2nd –Huron- City Ramp – “Erie Outfitters LEWT Championship”
The WBSA 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.
For more information about the LEWT you can visit www.wbsa.us
Please support our 2013 LEWT sponsors: Sharpnack Direct in Willard, Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Medina Plating, Waldo Peppers Restaurant, Happy Hooker Bait and Tackle, Blue Water Fishing Products, Smooth Moves, Reef Runner Lures, Vic’s Sports Center, Erie Outfitters, Ole Pete's Tackle, Navionics, Rednek Outfitters, Hi-Way Bait Tackle and Lodging, Hi Tech Custom Painted Baits.
April 1, 2013
Big bags brought to the scales at the Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Sharpnack Direct, Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) Season Opener hosted by “Happy Hooker” Bait and Tackle.
Sunny skies and light winds greeted the fifty teams fishing the sold out season opener held out of Fenwick Marina. “After the cold spring we have had this year I was pleased to have such good conditions for our tournament” commented LEWT tournament Director Joe Yingling. “I felt that these conditions would result in some big weights being brought to the scales.”
The LEWT anglers did not disappoint, with the team of Mike Knippenburg and Stephen Puruczky bringing home a whopping bag of five fish weighing 51.86 pounds to take the win. That was the second largest bag weight recorded in LEWT history. Second place went to Mike and Shane Solomy with 49.14 pounds, John Warrington and Andy Paramuschchuk took the third spot with 48.62 pounds.
The first place Big Fish cash award also went to Knippenburg and Puruczky for landing a 14.21 pound monster. The team of Barry Gropp and Jim Coolican took second place with a 13.34 pound walleye.
LEWT Title sponsor Medina Plating once again sponsored our Early Bird award that goes to the top finishing team that entered all four events before the Early Bird deadline. Knippenburg and Puruczky continued their sweep of the top awards by winning the $150 prize.
Long time LEWT supporter and title sponsor Sharpnack Direct offers a cash prize to the highest finishing LEWT angler who owns a vehicle purchased from Sharpnack. Scott Bogan came away with the $150 cash award.
The wide majority of the teams reported that they were slow trolling crankbaits in the area of the reef complex. A total of 142 walleye were brought to the scales by 50 teams, with the average weight being 8.33 pounds.
Very special thanks to Dave and Carolyn from “Happy Hooker” Bait and Tackle for opening their store early for our anglers needing last minute suppies. They also provided food for our anglers, their families, and our spectators at the weigh in.
The remaining 2013 LEWT schedule is as follows:
April 20th – Lakeside - Lakevue Marina “Waldo Peppers LEWT” (sold out)
May 4th – Sandusky – City Ramp “Hi-Way Bait, Tackle and Lodging LEWT”
June 1st and 2nd –Huron- City Ramp – “Erie Outfitters LEWT Championship”
The WBSA 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.
For more information about the LEWT you can visit www.wbsa.us
Please support our 2013 LEWT sponsors: Sharpnack Direct in Willard, Cabela’s, Crown Battery, Medina Plating, Waldo Peppers Restaurant, Happy Hooker Bait and Tackle, Blue Water Fishing Products, Smooth Moves, Reef Runner Lures, Vic’s Sports Center, Erie Outfitters, Ole Pete's Tackle, Navionics, Rednek Outfitters, Hi-Way Bait Tackle and Lodging, Hi Tech Custom Painted Baits.
March 21, 2013.
WBSA/LEWT Founder, and former President and member of Board of Directors honored.
Ten years ago we didn't have a fishing club, or any real options for fishing a walleye tournament trail on Lake Erie. A small group of people led by Marc Hudson had a vision, and because of that, today we have a fishing club with hundreds of members. The very popular, well run and inexpensive Lake Erie Walleye Trail now sells out events weeks in advance.
This is an honor well deserved, Thank you, Marc!
WHEN: Thursday March 21, 2013, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: The Brass Pelican, 414 West Perkins Ave., Sandusky, Ohio
A new season of fishing is ready to start up! Let’s welcome it in with a get-together to share some important updates and fishing information.
SPEAKER: An officer from U.S. Customs and Border Protection will be on hand for a look at requirements and procedures for crossing the international border, fishing in Canada, and returning to the U.S., followed by an opportunity for your questions.
LAKE ERIE WALLEYE TRAIL: Come and meet our new tournament director, Joe Yingling. Joe is a former supervisor with the Ohio Division of Watercraft with years of experience guiding on Lake Erie and in Alaska. He will give an overview of the upcoming tournament series and field your questions. Joe is taking on a big job for WBSA, and can certainly use our help and support.
I would like to thank Marc for all of his time and effort that he has invseted into the WBSA and LEWT. Marc and I knew each other prior to the start up of the WBSA but the club allowed us to become good friends. I am sure there are many other people that can say the same. I wish him the best in all he does going forward.
Below is an excerpt from his resignation letter.
To the officers and Board of Directors of the WBSA. I am resigning from the club BOD, and also want to end my term as the Statutory Agent. I will remain in contact, with my present addresses, if any of you wish for historical or other info you may need, but I am turning a new direction and will be looking south for a new residence and new fishing atmosphere with my son.
Club business looks like it is continuing in a reasonable manner, and that my input is no longer required.
Thanks for all the support you have given the club and LEWT in the past, and also going onward.
Marc.
We will be holding elections later this year for the BOD after we get through the tournament series. We have a very good group of officers in place and look forward to the continued success of the club. If there are any questions feel free to contact me.
Matt D
October 2012
Club Meeting and Lake Erie Update – Please join us on October 28 as Travis Hartman, Ohio Division of Wildlife presents a long-anticipated update on the 2012 walleye and perch hatching success, future fishing outlook and much more!
When: Sunday, October 28, 2012, 5:00 p.m.
Where: Sandusky Brown Derby RoadHouse, corner of Rt. 250 and Rt. 2
(5608 Milan Rd., Sandusky, Ohio)
Open ordering of food or snacks following Travis’ presentation
If you’re fishing that day, come in afterward and swap some stories!
WBSA Christmas Party – Mark your calendar for December 15, 2012 when we’ll get together for the annual club Christmas party; the location and time will be announced later. Dinner will be courtesy of the club, and we’ll have a special winter presentation. Club member and long-time ice guide John Hageman will present advanced ice fishing tips – techniques that guides use to get those walleyes to cooperate.
Another Outreach Walleye Success – Bob Hanko and Mike Loper held a great youth event on September 15 – the final Outreach Walleye fun youth tournament of the year, held on Lake Erie. Outreach Walleye takes disadvantaged kids from around the state and lets them fish competitively with expert anglers on various waters around Ohio. The winning kids from each event are invited to Lake Erie for a great finale – a day of fishing with WBSA members.
A special word of thanks goes to our club members who volunteered to take these kids out – Ron Bradway, Jeff Graves, Nick Meisner, Randy Eyre, Nick Zoeller, Ronnie Rhodes and Rob Cline.
We’re in a time when a smaller percentage of today’s kids are attracted to outdoor sports like fishing and hunting. The electronic media and entertainment world have captured a lot of youthful attention, reducing youth participation in outdoor sports. Yet these young folks, as they grow up, are the people we will depend upon to stand by the outdoor sports as others interests try to snip away at the freedoms to fish and hunt. Any efforts to engage kids in outdoor sports and build their interests should be regarded as gold-star events; we all send our thanks.
Fred
