WBSA Tournaments

The Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT)

Sandusky city Ramp 
Sandusky, Ohio

June 11, 2006 - Blow day used

See Tournament Pictures

2006 LEWT point standings

Press release

First time tournament angler pulls off LEWT win


The Western Basin Sportfishing Association (WBSA) held the third event of the Triton Boats Evinrude E TEC Lake Erie Walleye Trail (LEWT) in Sandusky Sunday June 11th. For the second event in a row the club had to utilize the scheduled blow day after Saturday’s weather would not allow the teams to get out. Sunday provided a great day to be on the lake and the anglers were greeted by coffee and donuts supplied by West Marine.

First time tournament angler Andrew Wilson of Commerce Twp., MI teamed up with his cousin and experienced tournament angler Trent Lee of Shelby Twp., MI to bring in the top basket of fish. They brought a total weight of 38.08 lbs of fish for 5 fish to take the victory and easily out distance the other competitors. The team fished Gull Island Shoal pulling spinners behind inline weights to catch their fish. Coming in second was the father and son team of David Hartman of Columbus Grove and Travis Hartman of Bellevue. They also pulled spinners in the Gull Island area to catch their 5 fish tournament limit weighing 31.72 lbs. The team of Dick Chicoine of Port Clinton and Bobby Johns of Fremont backed up there second place finish in the last event with a third place finish with a basket of fish weighing 31 lbs even.

All of the top teams talked of pulling spinners to catch their fish. Areas fished ranged from west of the Bass Islands all the way to Lorain and some teams reported handling up to 40 walleye during the event. Reef Runner 400 series Ripshad’s were also reported as having caught fish during the event.

In the race for the Cranberry Creek Marina Big Fish Award Keith Condon and Jeff Pawlaczyk both of Metamora took top honors with a 9.46 lb fish. In addition to the $380 that they received it also brought them a season ramp pass from Cranberry Creek Marina. The big fish was the last fish they caught for the day just before they had to leave to make the weigh in.

The race for team of the year is shaping up to be a very tight one with just one event left. Right now just 2 points separate the top 3 teams, which are all father and son teams. Since teams can drop their lowest point performance of the year there are still 14 teams that can win the title of Team of the Year and the cash that goes along with it. Currently in first with 564 points is Karl and Darik Warnke and tied for second is David and Travis Hartman and Tommy and Tom Sibert with 562 points. Just 12 points separate the top 8 teams.

Total numbers for the event were 20 boats which brought in 85 fish for over 363 lbs. 15 of the teams in the event brought in a five fish limit. In addition to the money paid out to the top 6 finishers and also for big fish, prizes from our sponsors were provided for everyone else.

The WBSA is a Social based Club for fishermen and women that fish in the Western Basin of Lake Erie and its tributaries. Membership is open to all fisher people no matter what their location. 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 will be presented at our monthly meetings by expert and knowledgeable speakers and tournament anglers in our group. These anglers are very open with techniques and methods and will help any member that is trying to learn new methods. All you have to do is ask (Well, maybe not the day before a tournament)! We will be hosting tournaments ourselves and assisting other groups with their tourneys and fundraisers and also holding or assisting with children's fish outings.

Openings still exist for the final LEWT series tournament in Lorain on July 22nd and also for the Migration Open July 8th held in conjunction with the WRWA in Geneva OH. For more information and complete results you can visit www.wbsa.us The LEWT is sponsored by Triton Boats, Evinrude E-TEC(BRP), D&D Lake Rentals, West Marine, Reef Runner Lures, Cranberry Creek Marina, Sportsmans Outpost, Erie Outfitters, Buckeye Rod Maker, Michigan Stinger Spoons, Sharpnack II Chevrolet, Fisherman’s Wharf, Jim’s Taxidermy, Dixie’s Crafts, Cisco Fishing Systems, Lakeland Products Group, Rich’s Hook Line and Sinker, and Dave’s Bait.