Tour target-rich areas on Champlain

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It’s Wednesday, the final day of practice for the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. It’s a big lake, and so big this gallery focuses on the Inland Sea region, a popular area where the largemouth and smallmouth population flourishes.
It’s Wednesday, the final day of practice for the 2021 Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. It’s a big lake, and so big this gallery focuses on the Inland Sea region, a popular area where the largemouth and smallmouth population flourishes.
This spot is known as The Gut. It’s a channel between North Hero and South Hero Islands, and located in the middle of the lake. The Gut is also a pinch point for current coming in and out of the area.
This spot is known as The Gut. It’s a channel between North Hero and South Hero Islands, and located in the middle of the lake. The Gut is also a pinch point for current coming in and out of the area.
Current swept-baitfish are the primary attractant for the bass, which stage along the rocky shoreline and offshore grass.
Current swept-baitfish are the primary attractant for the bass, which stage along the rocky shoreline and offshore grass.
Much of those rocks and vegetation, serving as ambush points, are evident in this photo.
Much of those rocks and vegetation, serving as ambush points, are evident in this photo.
Big rocks also serve as ambush points.
Big rocks also serve as ambush points.
The bass can roam up and down the rocky shoreline separating either side of The Gut from the middle section of the lake.
The bass can roam up and down the rocky shoreline separating either side of The Gut from the middle section of the lake.
Another pinch point for current and baitfish is this bridge getting upgraded. The pilings are key ambush points for the bass, which suspend there until passing baitfish bring them out to feed.
Another pinch point for current and baitfish is this bridge getting upgraded. The pilings are key ambush points for the bass, which suspend there until passing baitfish bring them out to feed.
The current is strongest at the middle section of the bridge.
The current is strongest at the middle section of the bridge.
Bass hold there to ambush baitfish.
Bass hold there to ambush baitfish.
Islands like this are another player.
Islands like this are another player.
Smallmouth spawn nearby.
Smallmouth spawn nearby.
And then move outward to ledges in the deeper water for the summer.
And then move outward to ledges in the deeper water for the summer.
This is the classic offshore bite setup for which the lake is known.
This is the classic offshore bite setup for which the lake is known.
The vertical walls are ideal for the smallmouth to use in such spawning areas.
The vertical walls are ideal for the smallmouth to use in such spawning areas.
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These bridges provide the better of two worlds for the bass. They have two areas from which to stage, and ambush baitfish.
These bridges provide the better of two worlds for the bass. They have two areas from which to stage, and ambush baitfish.
The bridge to the right is for a railroad; to the left is the highway bridge between Vermont and New York.
The bridge to the right is for a railroad; to the left is the highway bridge between Vermont and New York.
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The railroad bridge has a bonus, with a rock jetty and pilings for staging bass.
The railroad bridge has a bonus, with a rock jetty and pilings for staging bass.
Current-swept baitfish can come through this narrow passage way being used by a tournament boat.
Current-swept baitfish can come through this narrow passage way being used by a tournament boat.
Another key player will be vegetation, although low water levels have prevented it from matting at the surface.
Another key player will be vegetation, although low water levels have prevented it from matting at the surface.
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Another bridge provides an ideal setup for migrating postspawn bass.
Another bridge provides an ideal setup for migrating postspawn bass.
This area shows more promise, with a more flourishing area of vegetation.
This area shows more promise, with a more flourishing area of vegetation.
The final series of photos show areas of vegetation and pads that are ideal areas for the bass to be during the week.
The final series of photos show areas of vegetation and pads that are ideal areas for the bass to be during the week.
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