It was a very solid start to the 2025 world black bass tournament for Canadians Dave Chong and Ben Stokdijk.

Chong, of Aurora, Ont., and Stokdijk, of Lower Truro, N.S., topped the team competition with a five-fish bag of 10.41 kilograms (22.9 pounds) on Thursday, the first day of competition on South Africa's Arabie Dam. The Canadians will enter Friday's action with an advantage of .42 kilograms (almost one pound) over an Italian twosome.

Phil Curtis, of St. Catharines, Ont., and Adam Foster of Charters Settlement, N.B., are 34th with 4.77 kilograms (10.49 pounds) while Jason Hynes of Gananoque, Ont., and Rick Kewell of Kingston, Ont., stood 40th at 4.11 kilograms (9.04 pounds).

Canada was eighth in the overall standings with 19.29 kilograms (42.44 pounds). Italy leads the 15-country ev

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