In local bass tournament angling circles, the Crackle Cup marks one of the final competitions held before the year comes to a close.
But for those who have taken part in this one-day event on Lake Simcoe, hosted by the Aurora Bassmasters, it’s one of the biggest in terms of the size of bass that have been weighed.
Wil Wegman, a Crackle Cup tournament spokesperson, was quick to point out in the 2003 event, the all-time Canadian heaviest one-day, five-bass limit was brought in that tipped the weigh scales at 29.59 pounds. That’s almost a six-pound average per bass.
If you think that was a fluke, Wegman recalled the winning weight in the 2005 event was 28.38 lbs. and 27.38 lbs. in 2004.
Wegman is optimistic the existing record could be topped if Mother Nature allows anglers to venture out of Monto Reno Marina near Lefroy for Saturday’s event.
His reasoning was that in early season bass tournaments held this year on Lake Simcoe, there were plenty of six-pounders brought in to the weigh scales. With a full summer to add pounds, he feels these same fish and others in the swim, if caught during the Crackle Cup, will be even heavier.
“If these same fish had the chance to fatten up ... they will be at their peak weights come Oct. 28,” he said.”
“The biggest, fattest and most obscenely beautiful smallmouths are caught near the end of the season...for those who can tough out the weather the challenge of topping 30 lbs. (for a five-fish limit) is too sweet to resist.”
To catch these behemoths, Wegman said a variety of techniques can be used including dragging tube jigs in deep water, jigging spoons, drop shotting and even suspending jerk baits.
With this year’s event receiving additional sponsorship from Bass Pro Shops, Wegman hopes participation will be even greater than last year’s 27-team field.
What could entice additional piscators to register, he predicted, is some remnants of Indian summer-like weather conditions.
With standard tournament rules in effect, the event will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with registration starting at 6:30 a.m.
Entry fees per team is $150. As well, there’s a $20 fee for the big fish pot and a $10 launching fee.
There’s an 80-per-cent payback with remaining funds going to the Aurora Bassmasters for their conservation and youth projects.
For safety reasons and with water conditions on Lake Simcoe having the potential to change in a New York second, participants are asked to bring one cell phone per team and to wear floater suits.
For more tournament information, contact Wegman at: [email protected] or call Aurora Bassmasters president Marc Coratti at 905-989-0090.
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