Bass Bling: sponsors add boat to Striper Cup prize pool

Three sponsors have combined their resources to add some serious Bass Bling to the upcoming Miramichi Striper Cup, May 29-31st.  Jeff Wilson, the Saint John man and pro fishermen who approached the city with the idea of the fishing derby, and who is offically the events co-organizer, told MO))) last week that the event's three Diamond sponsors have sweetened the prize pot with a $20,000 boat, motor and trailer.

Princecraft Boats, Mercury Outboards, and Cabano Marine of Tracadie have come together to offer the prize that, according to Jeff MacTavish - co-organizer for the City of Miramichi, will be up for grabs to anyone who pays to compete in the tournament.

In addition to the boat, competitors in the Team , Boat category can win a $5000 first place prize.  The entry fee for teams is $150, and the other prizes in that category are 2nd Place Team - $3,000.00, 3rd Place Team - $1,500.00, 4th Place Team - $500.00.

Teams will be judged on the weight of thier catches, while individuals fishing from shore can enter for $20, and the winner will be chosen by the longest fish. Prizes for individuals start at $500, and there will also be a children's division that is free to register for.

The tournaments web site will have a live leaderboard, and a gallery of the catches. It also has online registration that is now underway.

Jeff Wilson said the buzz the tournament has created is amazing. "It was like throwing a snowball off of Mount Everest," he said, describing how quickly word has gotten around.

MO))) asked Wilson if he felt as some people in Miramichi do that a bass season in Miramichi will benefit the salmon. Wilson says he believes the two species spawn at slightly different times, and that's the way mother nature planned it. He said he feels that the two weeks the bass are in the river is not impacting the salmon the way some people feel they are.

"This bass tournament is a great thing for Miramichi," Wilson said. It's a resource no one else has. The city is in a perfect place to capitalize on it."

Online registrations have been open for a week, and in the early days the majority of teams that have registered online are from Quebec. Looks like the secret is out.