Posted: 2010-January-31 at 7:35am | IP Logged

Last nite in preparing the logistics for next Saturdays B1 registration opening, Ben and I discussed whether we thought the 30.35 MONSTER bag of Nigel and Charles would be broken at this years B1. With both of us having fished it quite a few times in the fall while participating in some fishin-canada RIPPLE events, or simply fun fishing, you can literally watch the 4 lb. fish transition into a 5 as the weather and water cool off. We both commented on how 5 lb. fish are not a rarity that time of the year, the trick is to get into the 6's and 7's. We looked at the data we had accumulated over last fall and agreed that stars are definately aligned to accomplish the challenge. I'd like to hear from the rest of you that plan on participating, or attending the event. One thing is for sure, every bag that comes to the stage could potentially be the new Canadian tournament record.

Posted: 2010-January-31 at 3:54pm | IP Logged

Hey guys,

Do i believe that the record can be beat? For sure...... but there are a few things we cannot forget.

1) The tourny we held last year had little to no practice pressure and we were limited to 21 boats. St Francis is an immense body of water for a 150 boat tourny let alone 21 boats..... even if the majority of the people including the winners were fishing in the same area.

2) This basin on the St Lawrence has now become famous... Everyone and their brother will be fishing the Franny next year looking for monster smallies so the pressure in my opinion will be going up by at least 200% if not more. Alot of the bass fisherman are also getting better and better each year so these fish will be found and hammered even more.

3) With a 150 boat tourny and the quality of anglers that the B1 will attract Francis will be getting hit hard all year and especially the 3 weeks leading up to the B1 therefore those wolfpacks of 5 lb smallies that we all get so horny over will be ALOT more skittish and harder to find!

4) I am not saying that this year was an anomaly but it was definately a BIG FISH year..... look at previous years tourny weights compared to 2009 and there was a huge increase in overall catches. I'm not saying the famous SEPT/OCT "pattern" that was unreal this year will not produce again this season but i wouldnt be surprised if it was less lucrative.

All in all what i'm trying to say is i'm not going to hold my breath waiting for a weight heavier than 30.35lbs, but i am not saying it can't be done.......... it is St Francis!!!

Jason G

Posted: 2010-February-01 at 9:56am | IP Logged

It'll be interesting to see how many more boats we see out there this year... it's a large area but with the media attention it's received it can only have a negative effect over time.

Will a new record be accomplished.. possibly but it depends on many variables. 

Posted: 2010-February-08 at 8:14am | IP Logged

First of all congratulations for the 75 teams on the 1st day

I think this event is ready to go "Pro-Am" and 3 days, it would be nice to see who can go at it alone !

As for breaking any records, I dought very much that it will happen, but what is the record for a two day tournament in Canada ???

If there is one, it was probably set either on Erie or Couch&Simcoe

My personal prediction base on the fishing pressure the lake is going to receive is 43.5 to 44.5 Lbs and you better have some fresh water to fish because the prime water in front of "well you know" is going to be tremendous and it's going to look like the Chinesse Navy out there.

Posted: 2010-February-08 at 3:45pm | IP Logged

I agree with Jason,

This body of water has become a venue for people seeking that magic # this past fall and will be showered this coming season for sure. With all that attention and the pressure from the B1 guys as well as the other tournaments being held there I could only imagine that it will hit the same status as Simcoe,Erie or Quinte when it comes to fish being under pressure. I would expect to see around 23-24 lb mark consistanlty to  win the B1

Posted: 2010-February-21 at 11:06am | IP Logged

I agree the pressure will increase this summer, I'm going to do at least a weeks worth of pre-fishing

I agree with the fact that increased presssure will change the nature of the bigger fish, thanks to the internet and all the "news" the area's that hold the bigger fish are now well known.  

Simcoe gets alot of pressure and a few years ago 7lbers were being caught and their 2009 BPS tournament had a 29lb bag to win. Simcoe gets lots of pressure and big bags are still being caught.

Can the record be broken YES will it be broken YES. To say that with all the added pressure no-one will ever get a heavier bag says thjat this was luck and can't be repeated with increased competition. 

I believe it will be broken maybe not this year but as the competitors get better and newer techniques are developed it will be broken. The plateau has not been reached yet, but I think it will not last and will cycle down after a few seasons of increased pressure, just like all the lakes that tournaments are held on.  Look at Lake Champlain these days. 

I predict a bag bigger than 30 lbs could be brought in but most likely it will a consistent 22lb average to win. Not saying that 30 plus lbs is not attainable but for a team to come in with 30lbs each day is hard to imagine.

My 2 cents