Ken Johnston
They did it again! Terry Gill and Chad Hanson won the Morson Bass International for the fourth time this past weekend.
The duo had a strong showing on Day 1, with 18.23 lbs., leading the field. However, Pat Gibbins and Pat Handorgan were nipping at their heels with 17.41 lbs.
Rounding out the top five were Mike Graham/Paul Visser-15.38 lbs; Jason Gibbins/Philisity Jack -15.15 lbs.; and last year’s second place winners, Jon O’Connor/Alexis Wilcott-14.70 lbs..
The other 17 teams had to weigh-in before the top five from day 1 could come through the tent. When all was said and done Doug/Troy Kreger stood on the stage having two solid days and a total weight of 30.02 lbs. having the lead.
O’Connor/Wilcott were first of the top five to challenge the Kregers. Needing 15.33 lbs. to take over the lead they held up five nice bass for the audience, but they came in at 14.15 lbs. Not enough to dethrone the leaders.
Up next was Gibbins/Jack. They, too, had five beauties in their live wells. They need 14.88 lbs. to take the top spot. They tipped the scales at 15.46 lbs. and took over the lead.
Graham/Visser now needed 15.24 lbs. to knock Gibbins/Jack out of the top spot. Visser’s daughter Caitlynn helped the duo show the crowd their fish to the “oohs” and “aawws!” But their five fish came up short, weighing 13.14 lbs.
With only two teams left, Gibbins and Jack were feeling nervous. Gibbins/Jack needed only 13.21 lbs. to be in the lead. They cleared that hurdle easily having 15.09 lbs. and the lead!
Returning champs from last year, Gill/Hanson were next. They had five big bass and Emcee Vaughn Murray asked Handorgan what he thought their basket might weigh. They needed 14.28 lbs. to win again. Handorgan said, “It looks like a high 16 (lbs.) to me!”
He was right. They had 16.6 lbs. and yet another championship!
However, with the number of entries in the MBI down from 32 to 22 this year, their prize was not quite as big as last year. They earned $2,000 for first place and also won $500 for largest basket of each day for a total of $3,000.
Prizes were awarded as follows:
•1st Gill/Hanson-$2,000;
•2nd Gibbins/Handorgan-$1,000;
•3rd Gibbins/Jack-$750;
•4th Kreger/Kreger-$550; and
•5th O’Connor/Wilcott-floater jackets
Day 1
•Biggest basket: Gill/Hanson—$500;
•2nd biggest basket: Gibbins/Handorgan—$300;
•3rd biggest basket: Graham/Visser—$200;
•Biggest small mouth bass: Richard/Tristan Mckenzie—$250; and
•Biggest large mouth bass: Graham/Visser–$250
Day 2
•Biggest basket: Gill/Hanson—$500;
•2nd biggest basket: Kreger/Kreger—$300;
•3rd biggest basket: Gibbins/Jack—$200;
•Biggest small mouth bass: John/Jules Gibbins—$250; and
•Biggest large mouth bass: Erin/Mike Gate—$250.
No one is certain why the numbers were down this year.
Some suggested it is the economy or perhaps the large numbers of tournaments available to anglers.
Over the past decade the number of entries has been as follows: 2011-22, 2010-32, 2009-26, 2008-34, 2007-37, 2006-27, 2005-30, 2004-41, 2003-55, 2002-47 and 2001-45. Prior to 2005 the tournament was hosted by Buena Vista resort. Since then, the Morson Tourism Association has played host and held it under the big tent near the Govt. Dock.
