Lake Champlain has been a recurring favorite of anglers fishing the Bassmaster tournament trail over the years. One ferry ride from Vermont to Plattsburgh, N.Y., however, reveals quite a different playing field than in years, creating an interesting, smallmouth-focused dynamic to kick off the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier Series.
Unlike last year’s Elite Series tournament, the water level is historically low on the famous lake amid drought conditions in the region. Rock veins and structures normally underwater are plenty visible on the bank. There is also a limited amount of shallow vegetation that is fishable.
“My first trip up here was in 1998, and the lake has changed quite a bit,” Menendez said. “The shallow bite is relatively nonexistent due to the low water. That’s what we used to count on, that 4- to 8-foot range for green and brown fish. That isn’t happening.”
After a cold snap in late August, temperatures have felt more like summer during the practice period in eastern New York. A cold front is expected to come through Thursday afternoon and evening, bringing lows crashing into the 40s while the highs are only forecasted to reach the mid-60s.
The ingredients dealt to the 106-boat field, almost all of whom will be battling for Elite Series invites, likely means we will see anglers predominantly focus on pelagic smallmouth getting ready to start their fall feed.
“It’s been a pretty good practice,” New York’s Zach Goutremout said. “I think guys will really catch them. The weights will be a little higher than other tournaments here in the past. The fish are a little fatter, and it will take some serious weight to win. I haven’t had much luck with the largemouth, and it seems like most guys are struggling with largemouth. I think it will be dominated by smallmouth.”
There are plenty of smallmouth to be caught, and they are all over the place. Illinois pro Erik Brztowski has caught quality brown fish in as shallow as 8 feet of water all the way out to 60 feet of water.
Texas pro Jack York has also seen smallmouth in all depths.
“The bigger ones have been singles,” York said. “I’m catching a lot of 3-pounders in the big wolf packs everyone is chasing. Those floating singles seem to be heavier on average.”
With a smaller field size and a massive playing field, anglers have enjoyed having water to themselves in practice. That may change on Day 1, but there is a hope the competitors will spread out. Even if there is some congregation, York notes it’s not the end of the world.
“It seems random. I’ve seen a lot of guys in the Inland Sea,” York said. “You’ll make a pass behind a guy that just went through the area who didn’t see a thing, and you’ll go behind them and see wolf packs everywhere. You just have to cover as much water as possible.”
The question looms though — can largemouth make an impact in the low water conditions? Menendez noted that a lot of fishable vegetation has been sparse or has started decaying in the cooler conditions.
“There aren’t any definitive lines or matted out areas,” Menendez said. “It is already starting to thin, and that will scatter the bass more. You might find an Easter egg out there somewhere, a rockpile around some grass. But being able to pitch to the grass like we’ve done in the past is really a needle in a haystack deal.”
York found only two mats where he could get a quality largemouth bite, and he wasn’t the only to find them either.
Although he will be primarily smallmouth fishing, Elite Series pro and Champlain aficionado Bryan Schmitt thinks kicker largemouth could put someone over the top.
“I’ve been thinking about this tournament since the moment it was announced. I won the 2016 Open here and that was in September,” Schmitt said. “What I wanted to do isn’t on fire. The largemouth are there, but they aren’t on fire. I burned so much gas in practice. I searched for it hard, because it is there. With the lower water they get ganged up, some of the biggest ones too.
“I’m gonna need some smallmouth too, though. I’m a little nervous.”
York is going to focus on smallmouth until he reaches 21 pounds. Then, he plans to hunt for a 5-pound largemouth bite.
Of course, a jighead minnow will be a popular bait this week, but look for some sneakier baits to play as well. Menendez plans to throw a spinnerbait a decent amount this week, while glidebaits and Carolina rigs have made big statements in the past. Other reactionary style presentations have been hinted at as well.
Anglers to watch
Matt Adams: After barely missing the Elite Series last year, Adams will want to get off to a good start and leave nothing to chance this go-round. In Division 1, his worst finish was 19th at Clarks Hill Reservoir.
Fisher Anaya: Anaya made the roller coaster ride that was Division 2 look very easy. Expect that to continue at Lake Champlain and don’t be surprised if he finishes well inside the Top 10 at the end of the season.
Yui Aoki: If it indeed comes down to finesse tactics, Aoki should be in contention to win his second event of the year. He excels in these open-water situations and with forward-facing sonar.
Zach Goutremout: What’s the best way to make up for a second-place finish on your home fishery? Winning the next tournament. The upstate New Yorker may not have as much experience on Lake Champlain, but the fishing style suits him
Grae Buck: After a disastrous start to his season at Clarks Hill, Buck clawed his way back up the Division 1 standings to make the EQ. Expect the Pennsylvania native to dial in the smallmouth bite and keep the positive momentum rolling.
