It’s almost cruel to start the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier presented by Bass Pro Shops at Lake Champlain. Sure, there is beautiful scenery. Yes, fishing is amazing. You can absolutely catch either largemouth or smallmouth.
The problem is, almost every angler caught them well in this tournament, which means the difference between Bailey Gay in 21st and Blake Smith in 50th is only a little over 2 pounds. But the points difference between those positions is massive in terms of attempting to reach the Top 10 in points at the end of the EQ schedule.
Familiar names will lead the way into Wheeler Lake. 2024 Classic qualifier Matt Messer is obviously in the driver’s seat after winning this tournament. Two more fellow College Series alumni Sam Hanggi, Aaron Jagdfeld and Cody Stahl are in the Top 10. Veterans Russ Lane and Grae Buck made statements at Champlain as well.
Plenty of good anglers are still in contention, no doubt, but there are several anglers who were predicted to factor the whole division that have put themselves in a massive hole. Alabama’s Laker Howell, who finished the regular season with a win at Leech Lake, finished 97th after landing only three bass on Day 1 of this tournament.
Division I points winner Lucas Lindsay finished 82nd. 2025 Classic qualifier Tyler Campbell finished 74th. Longtime pro Casey Scanlon finished 102nd after mechanical issues forced him to trailer from his fishing spot in Ticonderoga back to takeoff. He was forced to throw back his limit before he left, and could only manage one bass once he returned to the water in Plattsburgh.
Four Opens winners from this season – Yui Aoki, Dillon Falardeau, Chase Clarke and Scanlon – finished below 60th-place.
The next two fisheries on the schedule, Wheeler Lake and Lake Okeechobee, are entirely different fisheries. It will be much more difficult for the entire field to stay consistent over three days.
Wheeler will be in the middle of its drawdown process and generally, the bite is pretty tough on the Tennessee River in the early fall. There will be chances to make up ground should anglers stumble on Day 1. Okeechobee is a true wild card for anglers not from the Sunshine State. It will likely be a tournament that is made by the appearance of a lunker largemouth or two.
Interesting Points
- Last year’s College Bracket Champion, Dylan Akins, finished Champlain in 16th. He’s in contention to be the second-straight College Series champion to then qualify for the Elite Series the next season, following Easton Fothergill.
- Lane is an Alabama resident, so arriving at Wheeler Lake inside the Top 10 has to be a good feeling.
- 11 former College Series anglers are in the Top 25. Fisher Anaya and Aaron Yavorsky aren’t even 20 yet and are in the Top 25.
- Behind but in striking distance: Zach Goutremout (28th in points), Jack Dice (32), Jimmy Washam (33rd), Michael Neal (36th), Matt Adams (43rd), Jack York (44th), Kyle Austin (45).
