Mark Farver (Goshen) and Steve Kline (Albion)

Mark Farver (Goshen) and Steve Kline (Albion) won the R&B Circuit West Division tournament on Diamond Lake last weekend.

The tourney winners ($550) had 10.37 pounds which included the Native Pride Tackle Big Bass ($200) - a 4.77 pound largemouth. They fished a combination of tube jigs and bass jigs around weedbeds in 12-14 feet of water. The big fish bit the jig.

The victory also earned them the distinction of 2017 Season Champions of the West Division. A prize of $300 and plaques await them at the classic tournament on Houghton Lake.

A three-pronged attack by John Gipson, Jr., (Battleground, Ind.) and Tom Noe (Benton Harbor) landed them 9.59 pounds to finish second ($300). They also had the second biggest bass of the day, a 3.59-pound largemouth, to win another $50. The duo caught two keepers in 20 feet on drop shots before moving up to the 6-8 foot depths where they landed two more keepers on tubes. Last, they moved up to the bank and landed two more keepers, including the big fish, on jigs.

Despite never seeing the lake before, Matt Kiefer (Fort Wayne) and Landon Baker (Decatur) caught 5 keepers on jerkbaits to finish third ($190). The fish were in 5 feet of water and were relating heavily to weeds. Most bites occurred when the wind was blowing the hardest.