Oh. My. Goodness.
What a showdown in store for us at the Lowrance Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River. Surely you know this already, but I’m going to write it anyway: Trey McKinney, Drew Cook and Cory Johnston are all within two points of each other in the Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year race. Last time the Elites visited this greatest of smallmouth waters, Johnston won and McKinney finished third. Cook wasn’t far behind in 22nd.
It’s going to be a banger.
AOY aside, we also get to close out the Rapala Bassmaster Fantasy Fishing season. I’m in terrible shape in the standings because I missed a tournament (though I wasn’t exactly crushing it anyway). This is my last shot at redemption.
Here goes …
BUCKET A: CORY JOHNSTON
I’ve been on the Trey McKinney bandwagon all season. Somewhere around stop two or three I vowed to pick him in every tournament, no matter who was in his group. That stops now. Chris and Cory Johnston are unbelievable on this system. They may be the two greatest to ever compete here. I only give the nod to Cory because of the extra motivation that comes with the AOY race.
Another great choice:
If you don’t pick Cory, pick Chris.
BUCKET B: FOTHERGILL
This group was a stumper for me. Let’s assume everyone is going to catch a limit. Will this event come down to who’s willing to take the bumpy ride into Lake Ontario? Will it be a ’Scopers’ challenge to find those true giants? I don’t have a great guess, so I’m going with my gut and picking Easton Fothergill. I am a tad concerned though. He’s right on the Classic cut bubble. I need my Bucket B pick to finish Top 20, so here’s hoping he doesn’t play it too safe.
Another great choice:
Cody Meyer is a stellar finesse smallmouth angler. He’s my second pick, though there are several sonar experts with high past finishes on the St. Lawrence also in this group.
BUCKET C: FUJITA
Kyoya Fujita has multiple Top 10s in smallmouth country, and he’s a wizard with live sonar. I’d say he’s a tad underrated as a Bucket C option. Clearly, Fantasy Fishing players agree. He’s been picked by 25% of players, second only to Taku Ito in this group.
Another great choice:
Smallmouth tournaments where everyone is going to catch a limit require unique strategies, and Austin Felix is excellent at game planning for smallie derbies. But then, Kyle Patrick, fresh off a Top 20 at Champlain, is also in this group. So is sonar ace Emil Wagner. There are some great options here.
BUCKET D: PALANIUK
Honestly, I wasn’t feeling this pick at first. Brandon Palaniuk has an incredible track record on the St. Lawrence, but he’s also been picked by 36% of players. I sort of wanted to go against the grain. What settled it for me is that he’s in 63rd in the standings. He must have a good event to make the Classic. If that means riding some waves on Lake Ontario, he’ll do it. He’s got a ton of experience to lean on, which is why I’m predicting a BP sighting on Sunday.
Another great choice:
This is Mike Iaconelli’s last Elite Series event. I want to pick him for sentimental reasons. I’m rooting for him.
BUCKET E: TRIM
Cooper Gallant is by far the top pick in Bucket E. It’s not even close. He’s an awesome choice. But this is where I’m actually going against the grain. Nick Trim has had a mediocre rookie season, but I know because I spoke with him the other day that he stayed up north and jumped in the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender just to get in some more reps on big water. He’s putting in the work, and he’s due for a big performance. I’d be more confident if this was a river where shallow backwaters could win, but at least it’s a Northern river, and Trim is a river rat.
Another great choice:
In addition to Coop, Aaron Jagdfeld is a smallmouth guy with some chops.
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
• Kyoya Fujita, Minamitsuru, Japan
• Chris Johnston, Otonabee, Ontario
• Cory Johnston, Otonabee, Ontario
• Taku Ito, Chiba, Japan
• Bryant Smith, Roseville, Calif.
• Brandon Palaniuk, Rathdrum, Idaho
• Evan Kung, Pickering, Ontario
• Tyler Williams, Belgrade, Maine
