A look at Elite venues

A look at the St. Lawrence

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After a hiatus of seven weeks and three days, the Bassmaster Elite Series returns to action this week for the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Black Velvet.
After a hiatus of seven weeks and three days, the Bassmaster Elite Series returns to action this week for the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River presented by Black Velvet.
The 75 Elites will fish the St. Lawrence River, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The complete 1,900-mile St. Lawrence Seaway is a major shipping waterway that drains the largest freshwater system on the planet and serves as part of the international boundary between Canada and the U.S.
The 75 Elites will fish the St. Lawrence River, which connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The complete 1,900-mile St. Lawrence Seaway is a major shipping waterway that drains the largest freshwater system on the planet and serves as part of the international boundary between Canada and the U.S.
Fishing boundaries for the 19th event B.A.S.S. has held here are approximately 100 miles from Lake Ontario to near Cornwall. The St. Lawrence now ties Lake Eufaula for fifth in overall events held.
Fishing boundaries for the 19th event B.A.S.S. has held here are approximately 100 miles from Lake Ontario to near Cornwall. The St. Lawrence now ties Lake Eufaula for fifth in overall events held.
The host is the Village of Waddington, N.Y., pop. 972, which again has big things planned for the week with its Family Summer Festival that includes the Elite event.
The host is the Village of Waddington, N.Y., pop. 972, which again has big things planned for the week with its Family Summer Festival that includes the Elite event.
With all kinds of activities drawing people from miles and miles, the festivities have helped B.A.S.S. set Elite Series attendance records. The first came in 2013 when 34,100 people turned out, and last year 36,200 fans attended to set the current record.
With all kinds of activities drawing people from miles and miles, the festivities have helped B.A.S.S. set Elite Series attendance records. The first came in 2013 when 34,100 people turned out, and last year 36,200 fans attended to set the current record.
Whitaker Park is tournament central, with the daily launches leaving at 9 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins will be held at 5 p.m. ET daily, with a huge expo and tons of events surrounding it, including concerts and fireworks.
Whitaker Park is tournament central, with the daily launches leaving at 9 a.m. ET. Weigh-ins will be held at 5 p.m. ET daily, with a huge expo and tons of events surrounding it, including concerts and fireworks.
In July, B.A.S.S. named the St. Lawrence River the No. 1 fishery in the nation in its annual rankings. The famed smallmouth fishery ranked eighth in 2015 and again last year in Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes.
In July, B.A.S.S. named the St. Lawrence River the No. 1 fishery in the nation in its annual rankings. The famed smallmouth fishery ranked eighth in 2015 and again last year in Bassmaster’s 100 Best Bass Lakes.
In last year’s Elite, Seth Feider was among the seven anglers to weigh in more than 20 pounds of bass on each of the four days of the event. There were nine bags topping 25 pounds, led by Matt Lee’s 27 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 1. The big fish was a 6-12.
In last year’s Elite, Seth Feider was among the seven anglers to weigh in more than 20 pounds of bass on each of the four days of the event. There were nine bags topping 25 pounds, led by Matt Lee’s 27 pounds, 12 ounces on Day 1. The big fish was a 6-12.
Brandon Lester, who held the Day 2 lead before finishing third, might have lost the winning fish on Bassmaster LIVE. He had a 6-pounder on the line and finished just 1-2 back of the winner. Kevin VanDam, who had won on the St. Lawrence the year before with a total weight of 90-3, remarked that, “This is the best smallmouth tournament ever in the history of man.”
Brandon Lester, who held the Day 2 lead before finishing third, might have lost the winning fish on Bassmaster LIVE. He had a 6-pounder on the line and finished just 1-2 back of the winner. Kevin VanDam, who had won on the St. Lawrence the year before with a total weight of 90-3, remarked that, “This is the best smallmouth tournament ever in the history of man.”
Not only was the top spot in the tournament a battle between good friends Josh Bertrand and Justin Lucas, but both were also vying for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Lucas totaled 94-6 to finish second, but he went on to top Bertrand and win AOY.
Not only was the top spot in the tournament a battle between good friends Josh Bertrand and Justin Lucas, but both were also vying for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year title. Lucas totaled 94-6 to finish second, but he went on to top Bertrand and win AOY.
In winning his first ever Elite, Bertrand weighed in 95-3 to top Lucas by 13 ounces. It was a big breakout for the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, as Lucas and Bertrand both utilized the soft plastic that was introduced at ICAST that summer.
In winning his first ever Elite, Bertrand weighed in 95-3 to top Lucas by 13 ounces. It was a big breakout for the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, as Lucas and Bertrand both utilized the soft plastic that was introduced at ICAST that summer.
Keith Combs had an eighth-place finish throwing a crankbait and jerkbait, one of the few to utilize those techniques. Catching the abundant smallmouth was not a problem for the field, as anglers only missed bringing in a limit 13 times out of 275 chances.
Keith Combs had an eighth-place finish throwing a crankbait and jerkbait, one of the few to utilize those techniques. Catching the abundant smallmouth was not a problem for the field, as anglers only missed bringing in a limit 13 times out of 275 chances.
The number of 20-plus pound bags also more than doubled the previous year’s Elite on the St. Lawrence. In 2017, there were 48 bags topping 20 pounds, and that was topped last year on Day 1 with 52 en route to a total of 116. Rick Morris eclipsed 20 pounds each day in taking sixth.
The number of 20-plus pound bags also more than doubled the previous year’s Elite on the St. Lawrence. In 2017, there were 48 bags topping 20 pounds, and that was topped last year on Day 1 with 52 en route to a total of 116. Rick Morris eclipsed 20 pounds each day in taking sixth.
The introduction of goby as a baitfish has helped the smallmouth grow in the St. Lawrence and all the Great Lakes. The river has experienced another high water summer but fishing reports remain positive.
The introduction of goby as a baitfish has helped the smallmouth grow in the St. Lawrence and all the Great Lakes. The river has experienced another high water summer but fishing reports remain positive.
Besides the first-place prize of $100,000, anglers will be vying for AOY points. With two win-and-you’re-in berths from Basspro.com Opens to the Classic already left open, the qualifiers from the Elite AOY standings now falls to 42nd place. Hank Cherry stands well within the cut at 22nd with 440 points, and he is 62 out of the lead and 74 points from Bill Weidler in 42nd.
Besides the first-place prize of $100,000, anglers will be vying for AOY points. With two win-and-you’re-in berths from Basspro.com Opens to the Classic already left open, the qualifiers from the Elite AOY standings now falls to 42nd place. Hank Cherry stands well within the cut at 22nd with 440 points, and he is 62 out of the lead and 74 points from Bill Weidler in 42nd.
The first mission for many of the Elites this week is to stay in or get inside the top 50. After next week’s SiteOne Bassmaster Elilte at Cayuga Lake and the regular season finale on Fort Gipson Lake, the top 50 in the points advance to the Toyota AOY Championship on Lake St. Clair to finalize Classic berths and AOY prize money.
The first mission for many of the Elites this week is to stay in or get inside the top 50. After next week’s SiteOne Bassmaster Elilte at Cayuga Lake and the regular season finale on Fort Gipson Lake, the top 50 in the points advance to the Toyota AOY Championship on Lake St. Clair to finalize Classic berths and AOY prize money.
Black Velvet, a Canadian whisky made in the region, is again sponsoring the event and will be on-site at the Expo. The activities at the Family Summer Festival include displays from B.A.S.S. sponsors and a number of bands playing on the Band Stage at Whitaker Park and the B.A.S.S. stage. See the complete schedule of events and be there. All B.A.S.S. events are free.
Black Velvet, a Canadian whisky made in the region, is again sponsoring the event and will be on-site at the Expo. The activities at the Family Summer Festival include displays from B.A.S.S. sponsors and a number of bands playing on the Band Stage at Whitaker Park and the B.A.S.S. stage. See the complete schedule of events and be there. All B.A.S.S. events are free.

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