2023 Abu Garcia Lunker of the Year Sponsored by MTB Brokerage
The first stop of the season sponsored by Lucky Strike Bait Works was Harvey Lake. This lake is known for its large fish even though they may be hard to track down! At least one fish over five pounds (5 pounds 4 ounces) was caught from Harvey Lake in 2022.
And Harvey did not disappoint with 5 fish weighed in that tipped the scales at over 4 pounds. However, that elusive 5 pounder couldn’t be tracked down.
The team of Rodney Gallant & John Ellsworth are the early leaders for the Lunker of the Year. They weighed a very nice 4.7-pound fish that took home the Lunker of the Day and the associated cash prize. The lunker helped them secure a fourth-place finish in the tournament.
The Lunker of the Year (LOTY) ramped up in 2021 when Abu Garcia and MTB Brokerage stepped aboard and made substantial contributions of prizes and funds making this prize package worth over $1,850. In 2022 the package value increased to over $2,600 thanks to the generosity of the same two companies. The prize package is only getting better for 2023. The LOTY could be worth up to $4,000. Abu Garcia has stepped up again and put together an unbelievable prize package for the LOTY winners that’s worth about $2,500. Thanks to MTB Brokerage the cash prize for the LOTY is $1,000, plus the tournament lunker prize $ that the fish was caught in, and the largest fish for the season could be worth a total of around $4,000 or more.
To give you an idea of what size fish is required to win this package here’s the recent winners and the smallmouth weight:
· 2021 – Team of Howard Martell & Steve Watson, 4.80-pound Smallmouth
· 2022 – Team of Donnie & John MacLeod, 5.10-pound Smallmouth
The 5.10-pound fish was caught in the Nackawic Spring Tournament and although challenged several times was able to stand the season.
That value ($4,000) rivals what the Team of the Year and the Classic Champions receive for their respective wins. Not bad for one fish! The prize package includes top of the line Abu Garcia reels, Fenwick rods, Berkley hard & soft baits, line, and accessories.
The prize package includes:
· 2 – Abu Garcia Revo EXD SHS LP RT Casting Reels with a Spare Shallow Spool & 8.0:1 Retrieve
· 1 – Fenwick World Class Casting Rod 7’ Medium Heavy Fast
· 1 – Fenwick Techna Casting Rod 7’ Medium Heavy Fast
· 1 – 8 lb. Spiderwire Stealth with 8 lb. Trilene Fluorocarbon Leader Material – 125 yards
· 1 – 15 lb. Spiderwire Stealth with 10 lb. Trilene Fluorocarbon Leader Material – 125 yards
· 2 – 30 lb. Spiderwire Dura Braid – 150 yards
· 2 – 3700 Plano Edge Terminal StowAway Utility Boxes
· 2 – 1170 Berkley Bait Binders
· 2 – Berkley Mesh Back Trucker Hats
· 2 – Berkley Freezer Koozies
· 2 – Berkley Mobile Line Spoolers
· 2 – Berkley Line Stripper Max
· 2 – Spiderwire Scissors – Stainless Steel Blades
· 2 – Berkley PowerBait Floating Keychains
· $1,000 cash
The next event in the series is May 20th & 21st out of the Nackawic marina. We hope to see you there!
Please don’t forget the great sponsors that make this prize package possible. Support those that are supporting you.
