Tourney anglers quest for 30-pound entry

They say bigger is better.
In the case of the Crackle Cup bass tournament, heavier live release weights recorded in recent years haves indeed brought on better things for this traditional season-ending angling competition.
Bass Pro Shops Canada, one of the largest North American outdoor retailers with its lone Canadian outlet at Vaughan Mills, will wade in as the event's new major sponsor.
Its presence in the event, now called the Bass Pro Shops Lake Simcoe Open, is expected to bolster the cash and prize incentive structure when this year's tournament takes place Oct. 27, weather permitting, out of Lefroy.
"We've been looking for an event that can offer outstanding market appeal for all tournament anglers, sponsors and the community alike and we believe the Lake Simcoe Open will fast become the grand finale of the Ontario tournament season," said George Wallace, Bass Pro Shops Canadian marketing manager, in a news release.
"With such a tremendous history of record-sized bass, it will be a great showcase for the sport of competitive fishing here in Ontario and Canada as a whole."
In last year's event, a one-day, all-time Canadian tournament record was established by John MacDonald and Steve Hawkins with five smallmouth bass weighing a combined 29.90 pounds.
Anglers remain optimistic the magic 30-pound mark can be broken.
"I've done it, but not in a tournament," said Dave Chong, an Aurora resident who has fished the event for the past two years. "My biggest weight for five fish was 32 lbs. I absolutely believe, without a doubt, that the 30-pound mark will be broken this year."
Many feel Bass Pro Shops' involvement will hook more anglers into taking part in this event.
"For over five years, Crackle has proudly been the title sponsor of this unique bass tournament and I'm thrilled that Bass Pro Shops will now be able to take over that role in order to move this tournament to levels we would have otherwise never have reached," said Des Barnes, founder of Crackle, a gel capsule device that anglers apply to their plastic baits.
The Aurora Bassmaters, an angling and conservation group that has helped run the event since its inception, says Bass Pro Shops' presence will give the competition some added credibility.
"Not only will Bass Pro Shops and their proven marketing abilities be able to achieve incredible exposure for the tournament itself, but it will now heighten awareness for our bass research project, which is a very important part of the tournament itself," said Herb Quan, the group's president.
The field will be limited to 50 teams his year. Total entry fees per team will be $250 including $20 for big fish and $10 for launch at the Monto Reno Marina in Lefroy. Anglers wishing to pre-register should send either a $50 non-refundable cheque as a deposit or the entire amount payable to Aurora Bassmasters, 58 English Ivy Way, Willowdale, Ont. M2H 3M4.
Watch www.basspro.com and www.aurorabass.com for updates.