By Lee Duracz

Rajin Cajun and Lee Eby 1st Place

Rajin Cajun and Lee Eby won the Polar Bear Opens season opener Saturday at Klinger Lake.

The winners said they had their 8.43-pound limit in the first 30 minutes using blade baits in 5-7 feet of water and that they made small culls throughout the day. They also had big bass of the tournament, a 2.74-pound smallmouth. They won $200 for first and $50 for big bass and said this was their first tournament win.

The tournament drew 11 teams on a day in which air temperatures were in the low 40s under partly cloudy skies and a mild breeze. Eight teams weighed in fish and four limits were caught.

Tackle Shack Owner Brenden Sutter and Andrew Miller were second with 8.38 pounds earning them $125. In addition, they were able to corral a 3.34-pound northern pike which won them the critter pot and an additional $50. They were observed catching several fish on an A-rig.

Jeremy Bunnell and Lee Duracz were third with 6.82 pounds to win $50. They threw blade baits, tubes, and swimbaits to grind out a limit.

The husband and wife team of Steve and Amy Martin finished fourth with a limit weighing 6.53 pounds.

The next Polar Bear Open is Saturday on Lake Wawasee from 7:30 a.m. 2:30 p.m. at the Wawasee Public Access on the South Side of the lake.