A look at Elite venues

A look at La Crosse

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An upper stretch of Ol’ Man River once again will be visited during this week’s Bassmaster Elite at the Mississippi River presented by Go RVing. It's the fourth time the Elites have competed on this stretch of river that creates the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota.
An upper stretch of Ol’ Man River once again will be visited during this week’s Bassmaster Elite at the Mississippi River presented by Go RVing. It’s the fourth time the Elites have competed on this stretch of river that creates the border between Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The host city is La Crosse, Wis., a historic river town of more than 52,000 that serves as the county seat and is the state’s largest city on its western border. The Elites began practice Monday and compete Thursday through Sunday in Mississippi River pools 7, 8 and 9.
The host city is La Crosse, Wis., a historic river town of more than 52,000 that serves as the county seat and is the state’s largest city on its western border. The Elites began practice Monday and compete Thursday through Sunday in Mississippi River pools 7, 8 and 9.
This section of the Mississippi River, as seen from Brady’s Bluff north of La Crosse, cuts through the hills and runs much clearer than the Muddy Mississippi of the South. The anglers will find plenty of backwater areas to fish as well as main river currents.
This section of the Mississippi River, as seen from Brady’s Bluff north of La Crosse, cuts through the hills and runs much clearer than the Muddy Mississippi of the South. The anglers will find plenty of backwater areas to fish as well as main river currents.

The fourth Elite event held out of La Crosse has its headquarters at Veterans Freedom Park, Clinton St., La Crosse, WI 54603. The launches are at 5:45 a.m. CT each morning and the weigh-ins are there at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
The fourth Elite event held out of La Crosse has its headquarters at Veterans Freedom Park, Clinton St., La Crosse, WI 54603. The launches are at 5:45 a.m. CT each morning and the weigh-ins are there at 3 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.
The anglers will have a short drive from the launch area for the weekend weigh-ins, which are being held at Valley View Mall beginning at 3 p.m. CT. The Elites will be joined on the mall grounds by the Rotary Rock-n-Ribs Festival.
The anglers will have a short drive from the launch area for the weekend weigh-ins, which are being held at Valley View Mall beginning at 3 p.m. CT. The Elites will be joined on the mall grounds by the Rotary Rock-n-Ribs Festival.
When the Elites last competed here, Ott DeFoe won his first blue trophy with a four-day total of 63 pounds, 10 ounces. “I’ve done well in La Crosse before,” DeFoe said. “It’s an amazing fishery, and I feel very comfortable fishing here ... It’s hard for me to put into words what winning this tournament means. To beat 106 of the world’s best bass fisherman is something that I don’t take lightly, and it’s something me and my family are very proud of.”
When the Elites last competed here, Ott DeFoe won his first blue trophy with a four-day total of 63 pounds, 10 ounces. “I’ve done well in La Crosse before,” DeFoe said. “It’s an amazing fishery, and I feel very comfortable fishing here … It’s hard for me to put into words what winning this tournament means. To beat 106 of the world’s best bass fisherman is something that I don’t take lightly, and it’s something me and my family are very proud of.”
DeFoe stayed in Pool 8, starting each morning in front of a low-head dam/spillway where Pool 7 dumped into Pool 8. “The spot is no secret. In fact, I had several other anglers fishing it with me,” he said. “But that didn’t bother me because I knew I was fishing it differently than they were, and I could still go behind them and keep catching fish.” He caught his fish on an unweighted swimbait.
DeFoe stayed in Pool 8, starting each morning in front of a low-head dam/spillway where Pool 7 dumped into Pool 8. “The spot is no secret. In fact, I had several other anglers fishing it with me,” he said. “But that didn’t bother me because I knew I was fishing it differently than they were, and I could still go behind them and keep catching fish.” He caught his fish on an unweighted swimbait.
DeFoe barely bested Minnesota native Seth Feider, who weighed in 62-7 to finish second. Feider's finish gave him enough points to continue his season at the AOY Championship on his home lake of Mille Lacs, where he won the weight competition but missed qualifying for the Classic. Still, Feider credits his late-season run with allowing him to continue his career at B.A.S.S.
DeFoe barely bested Minnesota native Seth Feider, who weighed in 62-7 to finish second. Feider’s finish gave him enough points to continue his season at the AOY Championship on his home lake of Mille Lacs, where he won the weight competition but missed qualifying for the Classic. Still, Feider credits his late-season run with allowing him to continue his career at B.A.S.S.
Gerald Swindle finished 12th on the Mississippi, but more importantly his sixth Top 12 of the season sent him to the AOY Championship with a virtually insurmountable 43-point lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Race. Swindle struggled on Mille Lacs but left as only the 11th pro with more than one AOY title. Shortly after, he underwent surgery for an ailing knee and ended up with a health scare that required emergency surgery to save the limb and possibly his life.
Gerald Swindle finished 12th on the Mississippi, but more importantly his sixth Top 12 of the season sent him to the AOY Championship with a virtually insurmountable 43-point lead in the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Race. Swindle struggled on Mille Lacs but left as only the 11th pro with more than one AOY title. Shortly after, he underwent surgery for an ailing knee and ended up with a health scare that required emergency surgery to save the limb and possibly his life.
Tommy Biffle won when the Elites visited three years earlier in 2013. He went into the final day 7 ounces behind Aaron Martens but was confident with his early morning bite. “It will be over by 8:30. (Martens) might not even have his lures tied on yet.” But Biffle had to go off script, making a move late to catch two 4-pound smallmouth and a 3-pounder that propelled him to victory with 64-2.
Tommy Biffle won when the Elites visited three years earlier in 2013. He went into the final day 7 ounces behind Aaron Martens but was confident with his early morning bite. “It will be over by 8:30. (Martens) might not even have his lures tied on yet.” But Biffle had to go off script, making a move late to catch two 4-pound smallmouth and a 3-pounder that propelled him to victory with 64-2.
There was another major story line to come out of the 2013 event, and it involved Brandon Palaniuk. He led the first two days with impressive bags and had a 6-pound lead over Martens. However, Palaniuk culled just inside the Minnesota border that strayed from the main river channel, which was against state laws at the time. His Day 2 weight was disqualified and he fell outside the cut to 77th, missing not only a shot at winning the event but also his hope of gaining the Classic berth that went with tournament wins.
There was another major story line to come out of the 2013 event, and it involved Brandon Palaniuk. He led the first two days with impressive bags and had a 6-pound lead over Martens. However, Palaniuk culled just inside the Minnesota border that strayed from the main river channel, which was against state laws at the time. His Day 2 weight was disqualified and he fell outside the cut to 77th, missing not only a shot at winning the event but also his hope of gaining the Classic berth that went with tournament wins.
“I made one cull today — just one — in Minnesota, in an area that I believed was in Wisconsin. It was only in Minnesota waters by less than 100 yards,” he said. “I had 18 1/2 pounds before I made that one cull that just cost me, possibly, $100 grand and a Classic berth.” Palaniuk owned up to his mistake and left La Crosse pretty depressed, but he said he’d just have to go win the next one on the St. Lawrence River -- and he did.
“I made one cull today — just one — in Minnesota, in an area that I believed was in Wisconsin. It was only in Minnesota waters by less than 100 yards,” he said. “I had 18 1/2 pounds before I made that one cull that just cost me, possibly, $100 grand and a Classic berth.” Palaniuk owned up to his mistake and left La Crosse pretty depressed, but he said he’d just have to go win the next one on the St. Lawrence River — and he did.
The year before that, Todd Faircloth broke his four-year victory drought in the 2012 La Crosse Elite. “I feel like a brick’s off my shoulder now,” he said then. “It was a pretty nerve-racking day.” Faircloth focused on a shallow spot on the point of an island. “One of the biggest things about that spot was there was current coming through it,” he said. “That was a key.” A variety of grasses over a hard bottom was another key. If he missed a strike on top, he’d punch through the weeds and manage to catch the fish that way.
The year before that, Todd Faircloth broke his four-year victory drought in the 2012 La Crosse Elite. “I feel like a brick’s off my shoulder now,” he said then. “It was a pretty nerve-racking day.” Faircloth focused on a shallow spot on the point of an island. “One of the biggest things about that spot was there was current coming through it,” he said. “That was a key.” A variety of grasses over a hard bottom was another key. If he missed a strike on top, he’d punch through the weeds and manage to catch the fish that way.
Faircloth led Martens by 7 ounces going into the final day, and he needed a 3 1/2-pounder in the final minutes to stave off Cliff Pace. He totaled 62-4 to beat Pace by 1-4 to earn $100,000 and a Classic berth.
Faircloth led Martens by 7 ounces going into the final day, and he needed a 3 1/2-pounder in the final minutes to stave off Cliff Pace. He totaled 62-4 to beat Pace by 1-4 to earn $100,000 and a Classic berth.
B.A.S.S. also held events in 1983 and 1984 on the Mississippi called La Crosse Invitationals. Charlie Ingram won the May 25-27, 1984 tournament with 29-4, and Rick Clunn won the May 25-27 in 1983 with 22-11.
B.A.S.S. also held events in 1983 and 1984 on the Mississippi called La Crosse Invitationals. Charlie Ingram won the May 25-27, 1984 tournament with 29-4, and Rick Clunn won the May 25-27 in 1983 with 22-11.
Things to do while the anglers are fishing include riding the roads on either side of the river. They offer bluff-top views, trails and historic river towns, wineries and, oh yes, cheese shops. Try a curd. The Wisconsin Great River Road is the state’s only National Scenic Byway.
Things to do while the anglers are fishing include riding the roads on either side of the river. They offer bluff-top views, trails and historic river towns, wineries and, oh yes, cheese shops. Try a curd. The Wisconsin Great River Road is the state’s only National Scenic Byway.
Up the Minnesota side in Wabasha is the National Eagle Center, a 14,000-square-foot interpretive center on the river dedicated to conservation, research and education efforts relating to eagles.
Up the Minnesota side in Wabasha is the National Eagle Center, a 14,000-square-foot interpretive center on the river dedicated to conservation, research and education efforts relating to eagles.
Inside the Center, visitors can get this close to the five rescue eagles, who are tethered as opposed to behind glass. There is also a 45-minute educational feeding program each day.
Inside the Center, visitors can get this close to the five rescue eagles, who are tethered as opposed to behind glass. There is also a 45-minute educational feeding program each day.
One of the most interesting things to do in La Crosse is visit the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, one of the most historic and cultural attractions in the region. The 100-acre grounds include a visitors' center and outdoor devotional areas such as a rosary walk, Stations of the Cross, and a votive candle chapel.
One of the most interesting things to do in La Crosse is visit the Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, one of the most historic and cultural attractions in the region. The 100-acre grounds include a visitors’ center and outdoor devotional areas such as a rosary walk, Stations of the Cross, and a votive candle chapel.
The Shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is a “spiritual destination for pilgrims from all over the world.”
The Shrine, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of Guadalupe, is a “spiritual destination for pilgrims from all over the world.”
On the opposite spectrum, La Crosse is a famous brewery town and one of the biggest beer items to visit is the world’s largest six pack. City Brewery took over Heileman’s facility -- Old Style had adorned the cans -- and plastered them with La Crosse Lager. The large six-pack is said to equal 7.3 million cans of beer. There’s a tour of the brewery and right across the street is a photo op with Gambrinus, “King of Beer,” standing with a golden goblet of suds.
On the opposite spectrum, La Crosse is a famous brewery town and one of the biggest beer items to visit is the world’s largest six pack. City Brewery took over Heileman’s facility — Old Style had adorned the cans — and plastered them with La Crosse Lager. The large six-pack is said to equal 7.3 million cans of beer. There’s a tour of the brewery and right across the street is a photo op with Gambrinus, “King of Beer,” standing with a golden goblet of suds.
The La Crosse Queen is the name of seven different sightseeing and excursion boats that have operated out of Riverside Park, a short trip south from the Elite launch site. The current vessel, La Crosse Queen VII, was built in 2008 and offers public and private cruises. It’s licensed to carry up to 149 passengers.
The La Crosse Queen is the name of seven different sightseeing and excursion boats that have operated out of Riverside Park, a short trip south from the Elite launch site. The current vessel, La Crosse Queen VII, was built in 2008 and offers public and private cruises. It’s licensed to carry up to 149 passengers.
Apparently up north there are giant fish statues almost everywhere. Just north of La Crosse is Onalaska, the Sunfish Capital of the World. This 15-foot high, 25-foot long statue is Sunny, the guest of honor at the annual Sunfish Days. Go look around and see if you can also find the statue of Native Americans playing lacrosse who welcome motorists to the city.
Apparently up north there are giant fish statues almost everywhere. Just north of La Crosse is Onalaska, the Sunfish Capital of the World. This 15-foot high, 25-foot long statue is Sunny, the guest of honor at the annual Sunfish Days. Go look around and see if you can also find the statue of Native Americans playing lacrosse who welcome motorists to the city.
Onalaska Lake is a large body of water north of the host town at the lower end of Pool 7 on the Mississippi. It or the backwaters around it might come into play as the Elites begin a northern swing that includes a quick turnaround to South Dakota's Lake Oahe, a new fishery for B.A.S.S. with a Friday-Monday schedule next week.
Onalaska Lake is a large body of water north of the host town at the lower end of Pool 7 on the Mississippi. It or the backwaters around it might come into play as the Elites begin a northern swing that includes a quick turnaround to South Dakota’s Lake Oahe, a new fishery for B.A.S.S. with a Friday-Monday schedule next week.

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