4th Annual Morson Bass International on Lake of the Woods, Ontario

4th Annual Morson Bass International

Day one ended with Terry Gill and Chad Hanson on the top with a weight of 16.57 lbs. Ron Mazur and Rich Zebleckis had a bag of 16.32 lbs securing their spot in the boat parade for the first time in the tournament. Ron stated, “Before the tournament, all I wanted was to be in the boat parade, throw candy and toys to the kids in the audience. Now that I know we’re in the parade, I’d like us to win”.  Team #32 Jon O’Connor and Joe Frohreigh one day total was 15.99 less than ½ lb behind first place. Oliver Gibbons and Jason Gibbons had 15.89 and their brother Reuben Gibbins and his partner Brian Paulson had 15.62 to be in the boat parade. The rivalry was on. Would last year’s team of Doug Vandersteen and Mark Pentney with a day one finish in 8th place have a comeback after missing the top 5 spots on day one?Day two had John Gibbins and Mike Salvador on stage before the start of the boat parade. The music was turned on, the audience looking forward to seeing the first boat come into the tent. Team #10 glided in with a young helper in the boat to throw candy and toys to the spectators. Rueben Gibbins and Brian Paulson were soon on stage waiting to see who in the boat parade could knock them off the podium. Then came the team of Oliver Gibbons and Jason Gibbons but they couldn’t take over with their 13.04 lb bag. Then Joe O’Connor and Joe Frohreigh arrived looking confident in a good showing. Their bag of 14.69 put them in second place, knocking Gibbins and Paulson to third. Then the nail biter, the weather was rough, could Gill and Hanson stay on top? The MC Paul Morrison covered the scale numbers. Gill and Hanson needed 14.12 lbs to win. Their bag was 15.42 lbs and made their team the MBI Champs for the second time.  Chad Hanson stated, “Today (day 2) was a struggle due to the wind changing but we found a couple of good spots near the end of the day.” Terry Gill said that while others chose to stick with fishing weed beds, they chose to stay with reefs using tubes and jerk baits. 

Day 1

$ Prize Team
1st   Largest total weight $500 Terry Gill and Chad Hanson
2nd  Largest total weight $300 Ron Mazur and Rich Zebleckis
3rd  Largest total weight $200 Jon O’Connor and Joe Frohreigh
Smallmouth $250 Oliver Gibbons and Jason Gibbons
Largemouth $250 Mike Hanson and Susie Stafford
Day 2    
1st  Largest total weight $500 John Gibbins and Mike Salvador
2nd  Largest total weight $300 Terry Gill and Chad Hanson
3rd  Largest total weight $200 Gerry Hanson and Barry Marmus
Smallmouth $250 John Gibbins and Make Salvador
Largemouth $250 Jules Gibbins and Pat Gibbins
14” Lund Boat-Angler Draw   Mike Hanson
Floater Jackets- Team Draw   Terry Gill and Chad Hanson
Early Bird – Team Draw Trolling Motor Bill Godin and Bryce Godin
1st Place Final $5000 Terry Gill and Chad Hanson
2nd Place Final $2500 Jon O’Connor and Joe Frohreigh
3rd Place Final $1500 Reuben Gibbins and Brian Paulson
4th Place Final $1100 John Gibbins and Mike Salvador
5th Place Final $700 Oliver Gibbons and Jason Gibbons
6th Place Final $500 Doug Vandersteen and Mark Pentney
Friday’s rule meeting and angler supper launched the 4th Annual Morson Bass International on Lake of the Woods Ontario, August 15, 2008. The early bird entries were tallied and the lucky winning team pulled from the hat was Bill and Bryce Godin of a Minn-Kota Trolling Motor donated by Tompkins Hardware. The pork roast supper was served by the Morson Women’s Institute and sponsored in part by Ernest Thompson Distributors and the MBI.Saturday kicked off with breakfast sandwiches, sweet rolls, juice and coffee for anglers and spectators served by volunteers with proceeds going to the Lake of the Woods Volunteer Fire Department. The Canadian National Anthem was song live by Willie and Rodie Longenecker on the Government docks just before the send off of the first flights of boats. The Silent Auction tables were set up by the Morson Women’s Institute with various donated items that encourage locals and visitors to try to out bid one another.  At 11:00 AM, excitement was in the air for the $800 jackpot Bingo plus smaller prizes to a nice crowd of players under the big tent. Concessions started at noon plus MBI merchandise was put out for sale. Beer Gardens opened after the close of Bingo. After the Day One weigh-ins, a MBI trivia game launched into action with various players running the length of the tent to win prizes. Music kept the fun alive till closing.Sunday kicked off with breakfast again and the sending off of the flights of boats. The Kids Fishing Tournament free to kids 14 and under started at 12:30 PM. All that participated received a T-shirt and prizes sponsored by the Bergland Friends of Recreation. There were 37 kids that participated. Everyone stayed for the final weigh-ins and boat parade, a highlight for kids and spectators. Angler and volunteer prizes were drawn.

Next year’s tournament is Saturday and Sunday, August 15 & 16, 2009. Entry Fee of $500 remains the same. Late entries after August 1st will be $550 and must be money order or cash. No personal cheques accepted after August 1st. Angler supper is at 6 PM with the Rules meeting starting at 6:30 PM on Friday August 14th. The Kid’s fishing tournament will again be on Sunday.

See "Registration" for entry forms and event schedule.