CHIPPAWA, Ontario — Scott Huffman and Rob McIntosh won the 2016 Canadian Tire Lake Erie Open Live Release Bass Tournament, Oct. 8, with 25.07 pounds. The annual tournament is hosted by the St. Catharines Bassmasters, an Ontario B.A.S.S. Nation Club.
The 75 two-person teams launched in rain and dealt with changing wind directions all day.
In second place was the husband-and-wife team of Simon and Melanie Frost with 24.89 pounds. The couple won the event in 2015.
The champions from 2014 finished in third place. John and Perry Poirier weighed in 25.32 pounds and caught the biggest bass, a 6.42-pounder.
Sy Phenchanh and John Stathakos earned fourth place with 23.48 pounds, and Joe Fonzi and Larry Mazur took fifth.
One hundred of the smallmouth caught were tagged and released as part of a new program.
Children in attendance participated in a coloring contest, and won rod-and-reel combos, Canadian Tire gift cards and other prizes.
Total payout of the event surpassed $38,000, more than 235 percent of angler-collected funds.
Jason Clay, tournament director for St. Catharines Bassmasters, said he was pleased with the tournament, prizes and payout.
“The sponsors of this event deserve nothing but thanks and appreciation for their generous contributions, led by title sponsor Canadian Tire,” Clay said.
Additional sponsors included Shimano Canada, Freedom Tackle Corp., G.Loomis Canada, Fishbum Outfitters, Athens Printing, Mountainview Homes, Pure Fishing Canada, Anglers’ Choice, Carstar Niagara Falls, Jack Link’s, Live Target Lures, Power Pro, Dirty Pig BBQ, Set the Hook, Vigor Eyewear, Ultra Tungsten, The Rod Glove, X-Zone Lures, Niagara Outdoor Show and C-Tow Niagara.
“On behalf of the St. Catharines Bassmasters, we wanted to thank all sponsors, volunteers, the Chippawa Public Dock Committee, city of Niagara Falls, the Lighthouse Church of God and Shirley Fisher for allowing parking, and most of all the anglers who participated and families who came out to support them,” Clay added.
Results and photos are posted at this link.
