A look at Elite venues

A look at Lake Champlain

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The northern swing of B.A.S.S.’s top circuit continues this week with the Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels.
The northern swing of B.A.S.S.’s top circuit continues this week with the Bassmaster Elite at Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels.
The anglers have a quick turnaround with back-to-back events. Fortunately, they only had a two-hour trip from the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence presented by Go RVing to Plattsburgh and Lake Champlain.
The anglers have a quick turnaround with back-to-back events. Fortunately, they only had a two-hour trip from the Huk Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence presented by Go RVing to Plattsburgh and Lake Champlain.
Lake Champlain is a large natural freshwater lake on the border of New York and Vermont, with a portion in Canada. The lake is roughly 125 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point. It covers 490 square miles and has a maximum depth of 400 feet.
Lake Champlain is a large natural freshwater lake on the border of New York and Vermont, with a portion in Canada. The lake is roughly 125 miles long and 14 miles at its widest point. It covers 490 square miles and has a maximum depth of 400 feet.
A number of Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens have been held on Lake Champlain. The most recent Elite tournament was in 2007, when Alabama pro Tim Horton won with 83-10.
A number of Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens have been held on Lake Champlain. The most recent Elite tournament was in 2007, when Alabama pro Tim Horton won with 83-10.
Horton, who entered the final day with nearly a 10-pound lead, had a long run south but his area continued to bear fruit. A rockpile he found in practice quickly produced a 19-4 limit on Day 4.
Horton, who entered the final day with nearly a 10-pound lead, had a long run south but his area continued to bear fruit. A rockpile he found in practice quickly produced a 19-4 limit on Day 4.
After an hour of fishing, he decided to play it safe and return to the Plattsburgh Boat Basin early. He got there at 10 a.m., more than 5 hours ahead of his 3:15 check-in. What to do, what to do? Let’s chill out at the dock and relax. And yes the story is true; a pizza was delivered to his boat.
After an hour of fishing, he decided to play it safe and return to the Plattsburgh Boat Basin early. He got there at 10 a.m., more than 5 hours ahead of his 3:15 check-in. What to do, what to do? Let’s chill out at the dock and relax. And yes the story is true; a pizza was delivered to his boat.
When it was time, he bagged his fish and blew away the field. Skeet Reese was the closest angler to Horton, finishing 12 pounds, 13 ounces back.
When it was time, he bagged his fish and blew away the field. Skeet Reese was the closest angler to Horton, finishing 12 pounds, 13 ounces back.
The Elites also visited Lake Champlain in their inaugural season in 2006, with Denny Brauer knocking out a number of milestones during his victory. Rookie Chris Lane led going into the final day but Brauer blew him and the field away by 8 pounds.
The Elites also visited Lake Champlain in their inaugural season in 2006, with Denny Brauer knocking out a number of milestones during his victory. Rookie Chris Lane led going into the final day but Brauer blew him and the field away by 8 pounds.
By winning, Brauer became the second angler to top $2 million in career earnings, and he took the B.A.S.S. all-time money lead back from Kevin VanDam. It was Brauer’s 16th of 17 victories.
By winning, Brauer became the second angler to top $2 million in career earnings, and he took the B.A.S.S. all-time money lead back from Kevin VanDam. It was Brauer’s 16th of 17 victories.
B.A.S.S. has visited Lake Champlain 10 times, starting with Roland Martin’s victory in the 1997 Vermont Top 100. Mike Iaconelli also won there (way back in 1999), but the last four visits have been Bass Pro Shops Northern Opens. Bryan Schmitt won last year’s with 59-13.
B.A.S.S. has visited Lake Champlain 10 times, starting with Roland Martin’s victory in the 1997 Vermont Top 100. Mike Iaconelli also won there (way back in 1999), but the last four visits have been Bass Pro Shops Northern Opens. Bryan Schmitt won last year’s with 59-13.
This year’s Elite event launches daily from the Plattsburgh City Marina at 2 Dock Street, with blastoffs to begin each day at 6:15 a.m. ET. Attendance is free to the public. The park area there will also host the weigh-ins on Days 1 and 2, which are set to begin at 3:15 p.m. ET.
This year’s Elite event launches daily from the Plattsburgh City Marina at 2 Dock Street, with blastoffs to begin each day at 6:15 a.m. ET. Attendance is free to the public. The park area there will also host the weigh-ins on Days 1 and 2, which are set to begin at 3:15 p.m. ET.
On Saturday and Sunday, the takeoff site remains the same but the weigh-ins will move from the City Marina to the Crete Civic Center, at 2 Beach Road. For the weekend, Plattsburgh will create a festival atmosphere with its Summer Fest ‘17.
On Saturday and Sunday, the takeoff site remains the same but the weigh-ins will move from the City Marina to the Crete Civic Center, at 2 Beach Road. For the weekend, Plattsburgh will create a festival atmosphere with its Summer Fest ‘17.
Along with the live weigh-ins, there will an outdoors expo, interactive B.A.S.S. sponsor displays and chances to meet Elite pros. Other activities on Saturday and Sunday include East Coast Watercross competitions, beach volleyball, kids' activities, local vendors and more. While Bassmaster events are free, there is a $7 admission fee per car.
Along with the live weigh-ins, there will an outdoors expo, interactive B.A.S.S. sponsor displays and chances to meet Elite pros. Other activities on Saturday and Sunday include East Coast Watercross competitions, beach volleyball, kids’ activities, local vendors and more. While Bassmaster events are free, there is a $7 admission fee per car.
Champlain was named after a French explorer who came across it in 1609. France mapped its land in North America, and this one of the Lac Champlain region was done from 1739 surveying.
Champlain was named after a French explorer who came across it in 1609. France mapped its land in North America, and this one of the Lac Champlain region was done from 1739 surveying.
“Champ” is the name of the legendary Lake Champlain monster, which was first seen in the 1609 expedition. The monster, which has been “sighted” more than 300 times, has been memorialized in local sports team names and mascots.
“Champ” is the name of the legendary Lake Champlain monster, which was first seen in the 1609 expedition. The monster, which has been “sighted” more than 300 times, has been memorialized in local sports team names and mascots.
For a little more than two weeks, Lake Champlain was actually recognized as the nation’s sixth Great Lake. A Vermont senator had pushed the bill as that status would allow neighboring states to receive federal research funds. There was a small uproar and the status was rescinded after 17 days, however, New York and Vermont universities still get funds to study the lake.
For a little more than two weeks, Lake Champlain was actually recognized as the nation’s sixth Great Lake. A Vermont senator had pushed the bill as that status would allow neighboring states to receive federal research funds. There was a small uproar and the status was rescinded after 17 days, however, New York and Vermont universities still get funds to study the lake.
As experienced in practice, Champlain is a big body of water and can get difficult to navigate. There is $100,000 on the line to the winner, and decisions by the anglers will help determine valuable points toward the Toyota Angler of the Year standings.
As experienced in practice, Champlain is a big body of water and can get difficult to navigate. There is $100,000 on the line to the winner, and decisions by the anglers will help determine valuable points toward the Toyota Angler of the Year standings.
After Champlain, there is one more regular-season event, on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair in late August. From there, only the top 50 in the AOY point standings advance to the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota. Then the top 40 or so anglers will receive a berth into the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
After Champlain, there is one more regular-season event, on Michigan’s Lake St. Clair in late August. From there, only the top 50 in the AOY point standings advance to the Toyota Angler of the Year Championship on Lake Mille Lacs in Minnesota. Then the top 40 or so anglers will receive a berth into the 2018 GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods.
The debate began during St. Lawrence Bassmaster LIVE whether the Champlain event will be won on largemouth or smallmouth. “The popularity of both species of bass has been increasing, and a very healthy resource exists thanks to the lake’s dynamic forage base and modern catch-and-release practices,” said Bernie Pientka, fisheries biologist with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The debate began during St. Lawrence Bassmaster LIVE whether the Champlain event will be won on largemouth or smallmouth. “The popularity of both species of bass has been increasing, and a very healthy resource exists thanks to the lake’s dynamic forage base and modern catch-and-release practices,” said Bernie Pientka, fisheries biologist with the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife.
“Recently, we’ve really seen the bass’ focus shift from traditional prey species like sunfish and perch to a heavier focus on the alewife population,” Pientka said. “As a result, the bass are very healthy and in plentiful numbers. I fully expect to see a smallmouth tip the scales at 5 pounds or better, and a largemouth over 6 pounds.”
“Recently, we’ve really seen the bass’ focus shift from traditional prey species like sunfish and perch to a heavier focus on the alewife population,” Pientka said. “As a result, the bass are very healthy and in plentiful numbers. I fully expect to see a smallmouth tip the scales at 5 pounds or better, and a largemouth over 6 pounds.”
In the most recent Open, Schmitt won with nearly 20 pounds a day, and Pientka said a 20-pound, five-bass limit each day is very likely. “It’s been a cool spring and early summer in this part of the country,” he said. “The water north to south is cooler on average for this time of year, and that will impact how anglers approach their patterns. The bass quality won’t suffer very much, but the fish may be spread out and somewhat unpredictable when compared to years past.”
In the most recent Open, Schmitt won with nearly 20 pounds a day, and Pientka said a 20-pound, five-bass limit each day is very likely. “It’s been a cool spring and early summer in this part of the country,” he said. “The water north to south is cooler on average for this time of year, and that will impact how anglers approach their patterns. The bass quality won’t suffer very much, but the fish may be spread out and somewhat unpredictable when compared to years past.”

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