A look at Elite venues

A look at St. Clair

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The ninth and final regular season event of the Elite Series is the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair. Besides prize money, the tournament will finalize the top 50 anglers who advance to next month’s Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota.
The ninth and final regular season event of the Elite Series is the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair. Besides prize money, the tournament will finalize the top 50 anglers who advance to next month’s Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship on Mille Lacs Lake in Minnesota.
Lake St. Clair is a 430-square mile lake near Detroit. The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday, with takeoffs set for 6:30 a.m. ET daily at Lake St. Clair Metropark at 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, Mich. Weigh-ins are at the same local at 3:15 p.m. ET.
Lake St. Clair is a 430-square mile lake near Detroit. The tournament runs Thursday through Sunday, with takeoffs set for 6:30 a.m. ET daily at Lake St. Clair Metropark at 31300 Metro Parkway, Harrison Township, Mich. Weigh-ins are at the same local at 3:15 p.m. ET.
If Lake St. Clair’s waters in Michigan, Ohio and Ontario weren’t large enough, the anglers may also fish the Detroit River, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and all the rivers, creeks and canals connected to those waters that are open to public fishing. No boats are allowed in Pennsylvania waters. This bathymetry map shows the depth of the waters -- St. Clair’s average depth is 11 feet.
If Lake St. Clair’s waters in Michigan, Ohio and Ontario weren’t large enough, the anglers may also fish the Detroit River, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and all the rivers, creeks and canals connected to those waters that are open to public fishing. No boats are allowed in Pennsylvania waters. This bathymetry map shows the depth of the waters — St. Clair’s average depth is 11 feet.
Anchor Bay is north of the launch site, which is at the tip of the peninsula at center bottom. At top right is the St. Clair River feeding down from Lake Huron.
Anchor Bay is north of the launch site, which is at the tip of the peninsula at center bottom. At top right is the St. Clair River feeding down from Lake Huron.
On the southwest end of Lake St. Clair is the Detroit River, which empties into Lake Erie. Boaters pass the city’s Miracle Mile on the 24-mile route that serves as the international border, the U.S. on the north and Windsor, Ontario on the south.
On the southwest end of Lake St. Clair is the Detroit River, which empties into Lake Erie. Boaters pass the city’s Miracle Mile on the 24-mile route that serves as the international border, the U.S. on the north and Windsor, Ontario on the south.
Downtown Detroit, where concrete shoreline bounces waves like a washing machine, is considered one of the worse sections to run in a bass boat. Here Fletcher Shryock cruises past Joe Louis Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings.
Downtown Detroit, where concrete shoreline bounces waves like a washing machine, is considered one of the worse sections to run in a bass boat. Here Fletcher Shryock cruises past Joe Louis Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings.
On most summer days and especially the weekends, boaters can expect to pass some incredible scenes as well as some huge freighters.
On most summer days and especially the weekends, boaters can expect to pass some incredible scenes as well as some huge freighters.
Chad Pipkens of Holt, Mich., won the 2014 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open by making long runs into Lake Erie. Having little more than two hours of fishing time was enough as he secured a Classic berth.
Chad Pipkens of Holt, Mich., won the 2014 Bass Pro Shops Northern Open by making long runs into Lake Erie. Having little more than two hours of fishing time was enough as he secured a Classic berth.
Chris Lane also secured a Classic berth with his St. Clair victory in 2013. Lane, who needed a win to fish the Classic on his home lake of Guntersville, captured his first Elite title in unlikely fashion -- the grass expert was plying the waters at Lake Huron where the St. Clair River began.
Chris Lane also secured a Classic berth with his St. Clair victory in 2013. Lane, who needed a win to fish the Classic on his home lake of Guntersville, captured his first Elite title in unlikely fashion — the grass expert was plying the waters at Lake Huron where the St. Clair River began.
Todd Faircloth is the winner of the most recent event on St. Clair, taking the 2015 Elite event after a trying season. His string of nine consecutive Classics had been in serious jeopardy.
Todd Faircloth is the winner of the most recent event on St. Clair, taking the 2015 Elite event after a trying season. His string of nine consecutive Classics had been in serious jeopardy.
Faircloth landed most of his big smallmouth bass from Bell’s Hump on the Canadian side of the lake. “I wasn’t really fishing a specific spot, rather it was an expansive area that had all the right components to continue producing 20-pound bags each day,” he said.
Faircloth landed most of his big smallmouth bass from Bell’s Hump on the Canadian side of the lake. “I wasn’t really fishing a specific spot, rather it was an expansive area that had all the right components to continue producing 20-pound bags each day,” he said.
Faircloth had 22 pounds, 2 ounces 2 on Championship Sunday to total 84-7, which knocked off Day 2 and 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk by more than 6 pounds.
Faircloth had 22 pounds, 2 ounces 2 on Championship Sunday to total 84-7, which knocked off Day 2 and 3 leader Brandon Palaniuk by more than 6 pounds.
The victory put Faircloth back inside the top 50 cut to advance to fish the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship, where he secured a Classic berth. “To come from behind and win this tournament means a great deal to me, but to make such a big jump in the points and continue my season in Wisconsin makes it that much sweeter,” he said.
The victory put Faircloth back inside the top 50 cut to advance to fish the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship, where he secured a Classic berth. “To come from behind and win this tournament means a great deal to me, but to make such a big jump in the points and continue my season in Wisconsin makes it that much sweeter,” he said.
The event was historic for Aaron Martens, who finished sixth and clinched his third AOY title -- he went to the AOY Championship with title in hand. Martens even apologized to fans that he ended any drama for that event early.
The event was historic for Aaron Martens, who finished sixth and clinched his third AOY title — he went to the AOY Championship with title in hand. Martens even apologized to fans that he ended any drama for that event early.
Palaniuk comes into this year’s St. Clair event with the AOY points lead. He has 729 to stand 40 points ahead of Jacob Wheeler and Casey Ashley, tied with 689. Jason Christie is fourth with 686. Finishing 50th or better is another goal for many who want to reach the AOY Championship next month On Mille Lacs, and from there the title as well as Classic berths will be decided.
Palaniuk comes into this year’s St. Clair event with the AOY points lead. He has 729 to stand 40 points ahead of Jacob Wheeler and Casey Ashley, tied with 689. Jason Christie is fourth with 686. Finishing 50th or better is another goal for many who want to reach the AOY Championship next month On Mille Lacs, and from there the title as well as Classic berths will be decided.
Besides hosting launches and weigh-ins, the Lake St. Clair Metropark features a free family oriented outdoor expo with interactive sponsor displays. On Friday-Sunday is the Bass, Brews and BBQ Festival with concerts, craft beer, tours of a U.S. Navy training vessel, vendor displays and local BBQ. Times are 1-6 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday, and it’s free.
Besides hosting launches and weigh-ins, the Lake St. Clair Metropark features a free family oriented outdoor expo with interactive sponsor displays. On Friday-Sunday is the Bass, Brews and BBQ Festival with concerts, craft beer, tours of a U.S. Navy training vessel, vendor displays and local BBQ. Times are 1-6 p.m. ET Friday and Saturday and 1-5 on Sunday, and it’s free.
Only the top 50 in the AOY points move on to Mille Lacs, while the sun sets on everyone else’s season. After Mille Lacs, the first eight anglers outside the Classic cut head north to Pokegama Lake for the Classic Bracket, a match-style battle over four days to determine one berth to the 2018 GEICO Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.
Only the top 50 in the AOY points move on to Mille Lacs, while the sun sets on everyone else’s season. After Mille Lacs, the first eight anglers outside the Classic cut head north to Pokegama Lake for the Classic Bracket, a match-style battle over four days to determine one berth to the 2018 GEICO Classic on South Carolina’s Lake Hartwell.

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