Hawkins/Hensley win at ManitouHeath Hawkins (Bremen) and Bobby Hensley (Argos) landed a 9.77-pound limit in the R&B Bass Circuit Open on Lake Manitou last weekend.

The winners ($500) fished jerkbaits in 3 feet of 44-degree water and said that long pauses between twitches were critical.

Kris Thornton (Osceola) and Chuck Lee (South Bend) slung a combination of lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, and silver buddy blade baits along breaklines to gather a 9.65-pound limit and finish second ($300).

Andy Buss (North Liberty) and Mark Fennell (Lagrange) used Erie Darters to catch 9.35 pounds and finish third ($200). They rigged the Darters on D's Lures grub heads that they fished in 2- to 4-feet of water. Jim Jenkins (Winamac) and Greg Kiser (Winamac) captured big bass honors with a 3.74-pound largemouth caught on a jerkbait.

The R&B regular season opens April 26 at Lake Wawasee. More information can be found at www.randbbasscircuit.com