This week I want to talk about the Mystery Lake we’ll be fishing the last of June and why I think it’s one of the best things B.A.S.S. has done in years.
To begin with, it was amazing that they could keep it a secret. I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise to anyone that some of the anglers put a lot of time and effort into trying to figure out where we were going. Several of the guys thought they had it figured. In fact, a few were so sure of their choice that they actually fished on what they thought would be the right venue.
Of course, they were wrong. No one had it figured out, at least no one I’ve heard about. That’s a credit to B.A.S.S. and the people who work there. The place was as tight as a drum when it came to revealing the secret. They caught us all by surprise. Well done, guys and gals!
Another thing I think that’s great about Green Bay on Lake Michigan is that very few, if any, of us know much about it. And, because it’s now off-limits, we aren’t going to know much about it until the official practice starts. With the Toyota Tundra Bassmaster Angler of the Year title up for grabs, that makes things as fair as fair can be.
In my humble opinion, this venue is a much better choice for the middle of the summer than cranking in the middle of a Tennessee River impoundment. It’s not that I don’t like those places. They are great fisheries, and I enjoy fishing them. It’s just that we’ve been there and done that. It’s time for something different. Part of the prestige of being an Elite Series angler is that we’re supposed to be able to catch fish anywhere.
Another thing about Green Bay is the great smallmouth fishing we’re all going to experience. I have more than a little Great Lakes experience, although none on Green Bay and only some on Lake Michigan, and I can tell you things will be wild up there. There are lots of brown bass in the area and they’re big. Hawgs are the norm, not the exception.
Assuming the wind doesn’t run us off the lake, I think you’ll see some of the heaviest weights ever. At least one Elite Series angler says that there could be a 5-pound average over all four days. This man has a record we all envy. He knows fishing. He should be taken seriously. Can you imagine — 100 pounds of smallmouth bass?
And so I take my hat off to B.A.S.S. and all the men and women who put this thing together. It’s one heck of a good deal for B.A.S.S., the anglers and the fans. It’ll put some real excitement into the last half of the season. That’s something we haven’t always had. I’m really looking forward to it.
Make sure you follow this one on Bassmaster.com as it unfolds. You don’t want to hear about it secondhand.