MACOMB COUNTY, Mich. — The title of the tournament is only partially accurate. This week the pros compete in the Advance Auto Parts Bassmaster Elite at Lake St. Clair.
Only thing is Lake St. Clair is only one of the fisheries open to the competition. So is the Detroit River, which connects to the massive Lake Erie. That smallmouth haven is fishable and so is Lake Huron.
So what’s an angler to do? With literally thousands of square miles, and much of it very different from anywhere else, eliminating water is the highpoint of a fishing strategy at this event.
The season’s largest fishing venue and how to approach it is only one part of the dizzying strategy involved this week. Also in the mix is making the cut for the Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. So is the AOY point title and qualifying for the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Maintaining Bassmaster Elite Series status is even a priority for some.
There is even more to the week that adds to the challenges. That complex, competitive mix sets up to contrasting strategies to follow this week. For those on the bubble of their respective priorities it could mean swinging for the fences, going all out. Playing it safe and not gambling on a long run to Lake Erie qualifies for the same group of anglers. For those at the top the decision is easy. Going all out for the win is a must.
With all the above up in the air it all still comes down to the same thing.
Going fishing.
During part of the official practice doing just that wasn’t easy. The reason, as always here, was the weather. A strong low-pressure system rapidly crossed the region. High winds, heavy rain and storms were notable impacts. Boat control, lure presentation and accessing key offshore areas were the handicaps. The future forecast calls for dry weather and for once, calmer winds.
Here are some of predictions and plans of the pros. Some will swing hard and others will play it safe.
Brandon Palaniuk: No holding back
The AOY leader plans to swing for the fences, go for the win. That should be of no surprise to anyone knowing the all-out fishing style of Brandon Palaniuk.
“I’m going to do things differently this week,” he said. “The only way of guaranteeing that I can win AOY is winning the next two events.”
That also means avoiding fishing pressure. Palaniuk punctuates his strategy in this way. He fully intends to avoid areas that won’t hold up to the kind of returns he expects from his chosen areas.
“I will avoid areas where I’ve fished in the past, because there will be too much boat pressure to sustain a winning pattern over the tournament.”
It’s clear that Palaniuk is fishing for the win. He also believes there will be an equal number of anglers playing it safe, not swinging for the fences.
“I think we’ll see much of the opposite. There may be guys that will not make a crazy, long run, because they are worried about falling out of the Classic.”
Jacob Wheeler: Swing hard
Jacob Wheeler is dangerously within striking distance of the AOY title. That is likely why Palaniuk is going all out. But so is Wheeler.
“Most times of the year it’s like a calculated swing for the fence,” said Wheeler. “It’s like I just want to bunt and get my guy across home plate.”
“Here it’s going to be different,” he continued. “This time I need home runs every day.”
Wheeler said making a Top 12 here is a must. To do that might take the gamble of fishing both types of water. On his list are the Detroit River and lakes Erie, Huron and St. Clair.
“I like high percentage, consistent places but there aren’t that many here,” he continued. “St. Clair is consistently inconsistent but the bite is good there now.”
One thing is for sure. Wheeler is in the Classic. That leaves only one goal remaining. It is within reach.
Seth Feider: Play it safe
The baseball metaphors continue with Seth Feider’s game plan. Base hits are more important than slamming homers.
“I’m going to play it safe, fish in St. Clair,” he said. “If I needed to do something crazy in the points I’d probably got to Erie.”
All he wants is a top 30 finish this week, and that is doable staying close to home.
“A lot of multi-day tournaments are won on St. Clair, because to make it happen on Erie over four days takes a miracle.”
Feider’s success in practice has proven why he’s staying in St. Clair.
Fletcher Shryock: All about the wind
One of the most talented Great Lakes anglers in the tournament is approaching the week like an experienced boater.
“The first thing I did was look at the wind,” said Fletcher Shryock. “That eliminated about one-half the lakes.”
Shryock plans to use past experience with new was that he’s discovered to fish those areas. Even so, it comes down to the wind.
“It’s not so much how the fish are positioning,” he added. “It’s about whether or not I can get to them and fish that spot on a given wind direction.”
Some areas are protected and others are exposed to the wind. Shryock will decide where he goes based on the forecasted wind direction and speed.