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Canadian team drops to ninth at world black bass competition

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 6th 2025 at 1:12 GMT by Toronto Star
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Canadian Anglers Place Ninth at the World Black Bass Competition

The Canadian delegation finished in ninth place overall at the 2024 World Black Bass Competition (WBC), a high‑stakes tournament that drew anglers from across North America to battle it out for a share of the $30,000 prize purse. The event, which unfolded in the warm‑water ponds of Waukesha, Wisconsin, highlighted the sheer skill and endurance required to succeed in a sport that blends strategic planning with the unpredictable nature of freshwater fishing.

A Brief Overview of the World Black Bass Competition

The WBC, organized by the World Black Bass Competition Association, is a biennial contest that pits the best black bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass) anglers against one another in a 48‑hour format. The tournament, which has been running since 2002, is renowned for its “All‑In” rules—each angler is allowed only a single line, and each fish must be weighed, measured, and released after being removed from the water. The stakes are high: the top ten teams receive monetary awards that can cover a significant portion of the costs associated with travel, equipment, and training.

For the Canadian team, the event was an opportunity to test their mettle against the United States’ leading contenders while showcasing the depth of Canadian talent in a sport that has traditionally been dominated by American anglers.

The Canadian Team

The Canadian delegation consisted of six seasoned fishermen:
- Ryan McLeod (lead angler, Ontario)
- David Bouchard (Alberta)
- Emily Chen (British Columbia)
- Liam O’Connor (Quebec)
- Nina Patel (Saskatchewan)
- Miguel Hernandez (Manitoba)

All six members were selected through a rigorous trial process held at the 2023 Canadian National Bass Championship, where they demonstrated not only their fishing prowess but also their ability to work cohesively as a unit. McLeod, the team’s skipper, praised his teammates’ commitment to teamwork, noting that “the key to our strategy was consistency and the willingness to adapt on the fly.”

A Challenging Start

From the very first hour of competition, the Canadian anglers faced an unforgiving environment. The water temperature hovered around 32 °C (90 °F), and the ponds were teeming with bass that had been heavily fished during the early morning hours. The Canadian team’s first catch—a 2‑pound 4‑inch smallmouth bass—was a modest start, but the group quickly adjusted to the local fish behavior by incorporating more fly‑like lures and employing the “top‑water” strategy favored by many Wisconsin‑based anglers.

“It was a steep learning curve,” said Hernandez, who has a background in freshwater biology. “The fish seemed to have a different hunger pattern than what we’re used to in Canada. Adapting our bait and timing was essential.”

Peak Performance in the Mid‑Game

Midway through the tournament, the Canadian anglers found a rhythm that saw them climb the rankings. Their combined weight of fish caught in the third and fourth hours was among the top three teams, which included the USA’s “Bass Battalion” and “Blue‑Sky Baiters.” Their most impressive haul that day was a 6‑pound 1‑inch largemouth bass that weighed in at 2.8 kg.

O’Connor credited the success to strategic collaboration: “We swapped knowledge in real time. By the third hour, we were sharing which lures worked best, where to fish, and how to manage our tackle—much like a chess game on the water.”

Final Standings and Takeaways

At the close of the 48‑hour contest, the Canadian team ranked ninth overall, earning a cash prize of $3,000—a welcome financial cushion that will go toward future competitions and equipment upgrades. The top five positions were claimed by U.S. teams: the “WBC Elite” took first place with a staggering 90‑pound haul, followed by the “Bass Battalion,” “Blue‑Sky Baiters,” “Sailfish Squad,” and “River Runners.”

“While we were disappointed not to finish higher, the experience was invaluable,” said McLeod in a post‑tournament press release. “We learned a lot about how the fish reacts in this climate, how to manage a tight schedule, and most importantly, how to support each other under pressure.”

Looking Ahead

The Canadian team will use the insights gained from the WBC to refine their training regimen for the upcoming 2025 National Bass Championship. They plan to experiment with new lure technologies, invest in advanced GPS mapping of the ponds, and continue to emphasize team cohesion through regular simulated tournaments.

“We’re already looking at the next competition,” said Bouchard. “The experience here has given us a roadmap for improvement, and we’re excited to come back stronger.”

About Black Bass

Black bass (Micropterus spp.) is a predatory freshwater fish prized for its size, vigor, and spirited fight when caught. The species thrives in warm, slow‑moving waters with abundant cover such as submerged vegetation, fallen logs, and rocky outcrops. Anglers often employ a wide range of techniques—jigging, top‑water lures, and live bait—to entice these fish, whose feeding patterns shift dramatically with temperature and light conditions.

Sources and Further Reading

• World Black Bass Competition Official Site – [ https://worldblackbass.com ]
• Canadian National Bass Championship – [ https://cnbcangling.ca ]
• “Understanding the Thermodynamics of Bass Behavior” – Freshwater Fisher (April 2024) – [ https://freshwaterfisher.com/thermodynamics ]

The 2024 WBC served as a reminder that, in the world of black bass fishing, perseverance, adaptability, and team spirit are just as critical as raw talent. The Canadian team’s ninth‑place finish, while not headline‑winning, exemplifies the depth of competitive angling talent in Canada and sets the stage for future international success.