Canada’s national fishing team is back on the global stage this week, aiming to surpass last year’s seventh-place finish at the World Black Bass Championship. The 2025 event is underway at Arabie Dam in South Africa, where 15 nations are competing for top honors.
Aurora, Ontario’s Dave Chong is among the six-man Canadian squad, joined by Ben Stokdijk of Lower Truro, Nova Scotia, Phil Curtis of St. Catharines, Ontario, Adam Foster of Charters Settlement, New Brunswick, Rick Kewell of Kingston, Ontario, and Jason Hynes of Gananoque, Ontario. The team is split into three two-man duos—Chong-Stokdijk, Curtis-Foster, and Kewell-Hynes—who will battle through three days of competition.
Chong, Curtis, and Foster also represented Canada in last year’s tournament on Italy’s Lake Bolsena, where the squad finished seventh. Prior to that, Canada placed eighth in Portugal in 2023 and fifth in Mexico in 2018. This year’s venue, the sprawling 1,295-hectare Arabie Dam, is home to over 40 species of fish, including largemouth bass, but also crocodiles—a reminder of the unique challenges posed by competing abroad.
With the season reversed in the Southern Hemisphere, the Canadian anglers are targeting pre-spawn largemouths rather than the fall conditions they would typically face at home. Chong explained that pre-spawn bass are heavier and more aggressive feeders, unlike spawning fish that can be seen but often refuse to bite. “If you can find them pre-spawn, that would be the deal,” he said.
The competition is also introducing a digital scoring system for the first time, allowing anglers to record and release their catches using an app. The technology automatically tallies scores, eliminates smaller fish through an auto-cull feature, and displays live leaderboards, all while reducing handling stress on the bass.
Chong noted that communication between boats is permitted in this event, unlike most North American tournaments. “Teamwork is a big, big part of this championship,” he said. “It’s something we’re getting better at every year. Teamwork and which teams can find the most pre-spawn fish will be the two biggest keys.”
Armed with shared strategy, online research, and even tips from South African friends, Canada is hoping to land its best finish yet. The tournament wraps up Saturday, when the final weights and world rankings will be decided.