Over 80 boaters will be fishing for prizes and bragging rights this weekend in Chatham-Kent.
The Canadian Tire Mitchell's Bay Open Bass Tournament is back for the sixth year, and organizers expect it to be the event's biggest year yet.
"We had 95 boats register shortly after last year's final weigh-in. Our capacity is 80 boats we feel, so we had an extensive waiting list to come on board," said tournament co-chair Tom Beaton. "[The] tournament starts first thing Friday morning, 7 a.m., with final weigh-ins at 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m."
The boats head out at 7 a.m. on both Friday and Saturday. Beaton explains how the competition works.
"Each boat weighs-in five fish, so it's a total of 10 fish over two days, and there are also prizes for big fish. So there's about $2,000 in prizes for big fish alone. You can fish all day and not catch anything, but if you get the big fish, you're going to go home with some money."
Last year's winner weighed in a total of 51 pounds for 10 fish. About $45,000 in prize money will be handed out, with the 1st place winner getting almost $10,000 and a brand new 25 hp Evinrude tiller.
Beaton said around 800 spectators attend over the two days to watch the weigh-ins, so they're giving the fans a chance to win.
"Compliments of Canadian Tire, we are going to give away a $600 paddle board package. So if you're there at the final weigh-in on Saturday and you're in the crowd, you're going to be automatically entered into a draw to go home with a $600 prize package."
For more information on the Mitchell's Bay Open, click here.