LEWT Geneva, drivers seat for TOY.
The final regular season LEWT out of Geneva is in the books and we finished with a solid 4th place. Jason and I started the day strong and had 30lbs sitting in the livewell at 9:30am. However, I feel like we left something on the table due to the fact that we could not upgrade after that. The currents were crazy out there and the better fish were definitely on the move! Regardless, we control our own destiny for the coveted Team of the Year race going into the championship mid-October, you can’t ask for anything more than that in this field of anglers! It’s a tight race with some great friends and anglers! It felt good yesterday to put away the deep-water, eastern-basin, trolling gear away for the season and I look forward to getting the casting gear out and fishing some shallow water structure. For now, I’m shifting focus to trying to bring home some hardware for Team USA in the Predator World Championship in Ireland, and enjoying some family time with the girls!
LEWT RECAP below...
"LEWT DB Marine GOTL Recap
Labor Day weekend 2024 is in the books! The annual Quality Mark Lake Erie Walleye Trail G.O.T.L. event is always the sign of things coming to a close on the LEWT season, but only means that we are gearing up for fall fishing and that means the B’laster Fall Brawl and big fish!
The last stop on the LEWT trail started out with a Fall Brawl sign up party at DB Marine and Outdoor Sports in conjunction with the DB Marine Big Fish Friday. Over 50 Teams joined the party this year, making this the biggest BFF in LEWT history. 35 teams brought big fish to the scales, enjoyed a DB Marine cookout and got their registrations in for the 2024 B’laster Fall Brawl. As always DB Marine was great host and many anglers won sponsor donated prizes. Huge thanks to Johnny Gribble and his staff that worked hard to put on a great gathering.
As for the fishing, many teams brought their fish to the scales and we witnessed what great fishery Lake Erie can be with every team weighing a 5+ lb fish. The problem is in a big fish derby, 5 lbs just isn’t going to do the job. Only 6 teams were able to find a way to get what we would consider a “kicker fish” and weigh in a 7 lb or better catch. Austin Troeter’s crew weighed in early and set the bar high, as they put up a 7.80 lb fish. Although very respectable, nobody thought that fish would hold onto the lead. Mike Miller and Brian Fisher have been extremely tough to beat in this event, winning the last two BFF Titles.
When the dust settled Miller was taken off his throne and settled for 8th place on the day with a big fish for 6.88 lbs. Troeter’s crew managed to hold off the field and took 1st place despite a 7.70 lb close call from Bill Atkinson and Joe Tenebria. Roger Riggs and Darren Zabrowski took home the last paying spot with a 7.38 lb fish holding off Frank Broskey and Don Lint by .07 lbs. Big Fish Friday paid out $5,500 to the top three teams and every team that weighed a fish took home door prizes. Thank you all who participated in the event.
Tourney Saturday was yet again a crazy morning with what seems to be a never ending story titled “What Will Mother Erie Do to Keep Us Off the Water Today?” When we went to bed, the forecast showed south winds and a decent day to fish. As always in the summer time you battle pop up storms and never really know if the previous forecast will hold. This time we were on the receiving end of a 30% chance of storms forecast. Geneva was hit with a torrential downpour as boats started arriving for boat checks. There was a chance of delaying the start but the skies cleared up and gave anglers an opportunity to uncover boats and make their way out to the lake. Residual rollers from the 4am storm had things churned up pretty good but the waves appeared to have no bite as none were capping, just big slow rollers.
2023 Team of the year leaders Ryan Buddie and Jason Kopf led the 86 boat field after the National Anthem and headed straight north out to the deeper waters offshore. The team left sendoff in 2nd place currently for Team of the Year, but that wouldn’t be where they found themselves at the conclusion of the day. Buddie and Kopf always find a way to get it done and put up a clean 30 lb mark good enough for 4th place and $1,000. Buddie and Kopf edged out Miller and B-Fish’s lead and now lead the 2024 Team of the year race by 4 points. What a showing from the 2023 champs, way to grind.
Buddie and Kopf explained that they ran about 12 miles off Geneva and worked a pod of fish they found the day before with Dipsy’s. Finding that their grade of fish had gone down the duo headed with the current and moved west hoping that the fish had traveled in that direction. Buddie explained that he used his Lowrance Electronics to find fishable marks as he made the mid-day adjustment. Being able to make moves like that is exactly the reason they find themselves at the top yet again in 2024. Good luck heading into the Championship guys.
The LEWT paid out 8 spots in the LEWT division and 4 spots in the Open Division on the day for nearly $35K in prize money with another $8K on the line for Ranger Cup. In 8th place we find familiar faces Steve Hendricks and Brian Ulmer. The team has been gutting it out this year finding themselves amongst the top but missing it by razor thin margins. The previous Team of the Year duo finally put up another check cashing performance with 5 fish for 28.96 lbs and a $550 check. Hendricks and Ulmer moved into 6th place in the TOY race heading into the Championship.
In 7th place we have the Adventure Recreation Finance team of Brian Zarembski and Jon Cozze. Zarembski and Cozze put up 29.13 lbs to take home $650 on the day. These guys have strung together top finishes at Magee East, Fairport Make-Up Event, Geneva joint LEWT/MWC and now the GOTL open to move into 8th place overall in the TOY race.
Kyle Kokanovich and Charlie Klaus is a team we’re starting to hear more and more of with each event. Finishing 10th overall in the GOTL and 6th in the LEWT division. These guys improved from 32nd overall in 2023 and now sit in 17th moving into the Championship event, great improvement boys! Klaus and Kokanovich sacked 29.39 lbs of eyes good enough for $750.
Our 4th place team in the Open Division finished 9th overall with 29.49 lbs and took home $600 on the day. Team DB-1 with Captain Zach McBride was able to edge out the field and all three of the DB Marine Boats and get that last paying spot in the Open Division. Captain Zach runs charters for DB Marine all summer out of Geneva or traveling to the most productive port in the spring and fall. To book a charter or for more info call DB Marine at 440-428-6591.
In 8th place overall and 5th place in the LEWT we have early bird team Jason Blondin and Vince Price. These guys currently sit 13th in the TOY race and have strung together top finishes this year against tough LEWT fields. Jason and Vince were dragging small cranks behind dipsy’s in the mud to catch their bigger bites. They said they had a snag or a big fish and that was the goal. Jason and Vince took home $850 on the day for their 29.75 lbs bag, great work boys.
In 7th overall and 4th place in the LEWT winning $1,000 on the day we have the previously mentioned TOY race leaders Ryan Buddie and Jason Kopf. It will be a great opportunity to see these guys chance a back-to-back TOY title in October at the LEWT Championship. Head out to the LEWT Banquet October 12th to celebrate with us at Bays Edge.
Taking 6th place overall and 3rd in the LEWT division we have Big Fish Tim Bock and sub partner Larry Germovsek with 5 fish for 30.20 lbs. Larry subbed in for LEWT angler Mike Ruffo who got married today. We want to thank Mike for being a loyal angler and wish him and his wife all the best. Tim and Larry weighed in early so they could make the reception, but not after they sealed the deal on a 3rd place finish good enough for $1,400.
In 5th place overall and 3rd place in the Open Division we have Team Yoder with Captain Bill Yoder with 30.32 lbs. Captain Bill had a great weekend taking home the $4,000 sponsor prize package at Big Fish Friday at DB Marine along with Big Fish in the Open Division with a 7.24 lb pig. Team Yoder follows up an Ashtabula Win with another top finish here in Geneva. This goes to show you how the Open Division gives great opportunities to big boats or anglers who would just like to fish with more anglers making it easier to learn the basics of tourney fishing! Thanks Captain Bill!
4th place overall and 2nd in the Open Division goes to another Amish crew Team Miller. The Amish community loves to fish as a group and the Open division provides a perfect opportunity for that. Allowing 9 rods and unlimited anglers Team Miller and crew were able to put together 30.36 lbs to edge out the Yoder’s for 2nd overall. Team Miller actually put up a winning bag, but they lost a tie breaker to the Open Division Champions Team DTF, Captain Jason Niewiadomski. Captain Jason brought the whole family up on stage while bringing home the title by breaking a tie with his 7.20 lb big fish, just .10 lbs bigger than Team Millers. Captain Jason said that he didn’t go far from port and fished into the waves using direction and current to keep his baits working properly. Jason also said that he used down riggers to keep baits in the zone. It was awesome seeing the whole family out to support the win, great job Team DTF! Team Miller takes home $2,080 for 2nd and Team DTF $3,870 for 1st.
In 2nd place both overall and in the LEWT we have 2023’s 8th place team Duane and Devon Phillips. Duane and Devon explained that they fought the weather and traveled far to get the bigger bites leading them to the second place finish. Devon explained that they slowly picked at them to get slightly bigger fish. The difference on the day was simply what the fish were eating. The eyes out east are targeting perch and carrying more weight than the Geneva fish eating Smelt. Duane and Devon sacked 30.72 lbs good enough for $3,700.
In 1st place overall we have anglers who have made a reputation over the last few years as being Lake Erie big guns, Gary and Alex Kisel. Gary and Alex used Dipsy’s and worms to get their better bites, but Alex said Colorado blades on worm harnesses took their bigger fish. Gary ran two Dipsy’s on his side and a Bandit on leadcore to keep the eyes honest on the crankbait bite. Being able to adapt and use different tactics is what it’s all about being a tourney angler. These guys often throw the book at’em trying to get bites. The Kisels move into 3rd place in the TOY race with the win. With the prize money and Ranger Cup Bonus the Kisel’s take home $15,560 on the day! Good Lord it pays to have a Vic’s Sports Center Ranger 622 FS PRO!!!
The LEWT moves out of Bay’s Edge - Sandusky Shelby St. Boat Ramp for the LEWT Championship. We will feature a LEWT 2-man Division and an Open Unlimited Angler Division. The event will be held at Bay’s Edge Bait and Tackle and have a LEWT banquet to conclude the season. Any angler is welcome to fish the Championship and big boats welcome in the Open Division. We would like to invite everyone out to Tournament Director Jason Fischer’s 40th Birthday Party the LEWT Banquet to conclude the season. We can’t wait for the LEWT Championship October 11th-12-(13th if needed).
To book a room at Bay’s Edge Please call Misty at 419-635-6326 and tell her you're ready to book for the LEWT Championship. Only 10 6 person condos remain at the time of this recap.
Things coming up
September 14th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Shines 1-5
September 15th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Shines 12-4
September 19th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Mid Ohio Sports 5-8
October 5th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Central Basin Bait & Tackle - Huron 12-4
October 8th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Jann’s Netcraft 5-8
October 11th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Sandusky Bait Co. 2-6 at LEWT Championship Weigh-Ins
October 12th B’laster Fall Brawl Sign Up Party - Bay’s Edge Bait and Tackle 2-6 at the LEWT Championship Weigh-Ins"
