By Kyle Charters
Asst. Sports Editor

One of the biggest rivalries in college sports will resume on Lake Monroe in southern Indiana on Saturday.

"In the spring, we have a big tournament; the top 20 fishermen from each of the Purdue and IU teams get together and we fish for the Old Minnow Bucket, a kind of spin off of the Old Oaken Bucket," said bass fishing club member Cory Miller, a freshman in the School of Management.

Members of the rival schools will get into their respective boats and cast off on Lake Monroe near Bloomington, Ind., at 7 a.m. Saturday.

"And at 3 in the afternoon, everyone has to check in and weigh in their fish," said Miller. "The team with the most pounds of fish wins the tournament; plus, individual efforts from both sides are rewarded."

The Purdue team, which includes more than 35 members, has a 5-3 advantage since the teams first started hooking up to compete for the Minnow Bucket back in 1992. Miller said that record may help give the Boilers the edge for this weekend's tournament.

"I think we have a little more drive and motivation," he said.

The Boilers compete in three tournaments during the fall. During those, club members earn points depending on where they finish. Mike Smith, a junior in the Schools of Engineering, is ranked at the top for the Boilers this season. He's followed by Kent Wamsley, a junior in the School of Agriculture; Ross Giesler, a junior in the School of Technology; Rhett Steele, a junior in the School of Forestry; and Miller.

Miller said the club meets once a month for a fishing seminar.

"We have a guest speaker come in and give tips on how to fish better — what lures to use, what the best fishing methods for certain times of the year are, places and clarity of water," he said.

He hopes those seminars will help the Boilers bring the Old Minnow Bucket home to West Lafayette.

Because of unpredictable conditions, Miller said he didn't know how many pounds of fish it would take to beat the Hoosiers this weekend.

"That depends on weather; it depends on lake conditions such as the clarity of the water," said Miller. "Part of it depends on the weather and the water temperature; plus, you've got to find the right spot."