Forward-facing sonar will definitely play some type of role in most of the Bassmaster Elite Series events, but in my opinion there is not a fishery in the country that sets up better for sniping smallmouth on your electronics than Lake St. Clair.
This is the epitome of a tournament location where you are just donating if you are not tuned into your forward-facing setup. Pick your lineup with a combo of smallie specialists and those with a high aptitude for their electronics and you should be in good shape. Also, beware that St. Clair is known for being featureless, so anglers that really love targeting structure and contour changes may find themselves out of their comfort zone.
LET THE SMALLMOUTH GAMES BEGIN!!
BUCKET A: PRZEKURAT
Jay Przekurat missed the final day in 2023 last time the Bassmaster Elite Series visited Macomb County, Michigan, but he took home the win in the 2024 St. Croix Bassmaster Open. Przekurat’s track record on northern smallmouth fisheries is quite stellar.
Taku Time
Both of Taku Ito’s visits to Lake St. Clair have resulted in being within striking distance of the win. Taku seems to have formed a special bond with Lake St. Clair and definitely should be considered for your Fantasy lineup.
BUCKET B: WAGNER
Emil Wagner had a strong Bassmaster Open event on Lake St. Clair and showed his smallmouth skills were no fluke on Leech Lake. If you are like me and trying to find some sneaky value in a few Buckets, I like the calculated risk with Emil Wagner on St. Clair.
Monster Pick
Cooper Gallant notched a solid 4th place on this Michigan smallmouth venue in 2023. I expect Coop to be solidly in Bassmaster Classic contention after this next stop.
BUCKET C: REDWINE
Alex Redwine lives about 4 hours from Lake St Clair and has had two solid events on this system and has been putting in some time prepping for this event. He has shown to be a factor in most northern smallmouth events.
Defending Champ
After an amazing rookie campaign, Joey Cifuentes had a tough sophomore season and needs to finish strong in the final two events to maintain his spot on the Bassmaster Elites series for 2026.
BUCKET D: FOUTZ
Jacob Foutz is another angler that needs a strong finish to make sure he is back again in 2026. Two years ago, Foutz turned his Elite Series career around on the northern swing and that started with a 6th on St Clair. There’s no doubt he loves to fish for smallmouth up north.
Proven consistency
In 2023, Cody Huff strung together three top 20s in a row on the northern smallmouth swing. Huff is well versed with and without his electronics, he should be a safe bet in Michigan.
BUCKET E: KELLEY
“Pebbles” AKA Jonathan Kelley had a solid 24th on St Clair two years ago and is a northern angler very adept at picking of big plump smallmouth with this electronics.
Fan Favorite
St Clair has shown that just about any angler can win if they find the right pod of giants, so might as well pick an angler you like pulling for, so take a chance on Matty Wong!
Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge
Now onto the eighth event and first of the northern swing for the Falcon Rods Bassmaster Drain the Lake Challenge. This additional Fantasy Fishing game not only offers a fresh way to play the game, but a completely separate prize pool. Drain the Lake is an elimination or survivor style game where you can only use an angler once all season.
As we hit the final events, you will start to feel the pressure as you have probably used up many of your favorite anglers and hopefully you have a few smallmouth assassins left for your rosters.
Alex Redwine
Taku Ito
Jay Przekurat
Austin Felix
Andrew Loberg
Jacob Foutz
Cooper Gallant
Seth Feider
