Spraying of weeds in harbors and shallow bays, along with what seemed like an almost random weather pattern, left fish in a non-biting funk on Prior Lake during the 1st of 4 FWBass events.

“Fish were there, but they were all pee-wees”, said tournament director Bob Wood. “I tried shallow and deep, and couldn’t find big fish anywhere.”

Dale Kimball, fishing with boater John Nooyen, spun his way into the big fish of the day – 2lbs 11oz – working spinnerbaits along the breaks. “We couldn’t find anything that worked…worms didn’t work”, stated John. The spinnerbait pattern fell a little short of the field, putting only 3 in the livewell for 4lbs 6oz.

“We had a worm bite going, but that was it – just one bite”, said Bob Wood. “The fish would hit a worm on the fall, and just as quick they were gone. They never came back to it either. Just a quick stab at it, and then nothing.; I couldn’t get a hook them.”

The fish were not offering up any second chances, and neither was the father-son team of Bob and Jerry Wood. “Brunner and Chorzempa tend to go on winning streaks. They closed out last season with a win, so if someone was going to shut them down, it had to be now.” The Wood duo got it done, weighing the big bag of the day at 7lbs 12oz, with Brunner and Chorzempa bagging 6lbs 5ozs for 3rd place. Taking second was the team of Brent Muilenburg and Jeff Agrimson, weighing 6lbs 13ozs after culling a fish late in the tournament. Erik Larson and teammate were unable to make the event, and rounded out the field in 5th place.

“First I have to thank my dad for subbing; he culled a critical fish that helped to put us in the lead. Then I need to thank God for the Booyah.”, said Bob Wood. “When the fish wouldn’t hit on anything, I went to my old standby – a Booyah Boo Jig. They wouldn’t bite often, but when they did they held on; I got our limit and culled a couple of 12” fish out of the box on a jig pattern.”

The next FWBass event is scheduled for Tuesday, July 8th at 12:30pm. Prefishing is closed July 5th through the 7th.