Syracuse.com - St. Lawrence bass fishing tournament this weekend features $20,000 in prize money

[HuntingNY-News]

The interesting part about last year’s tournament is the Canadian Waters were put off limits due to border issues; however, those issues have since been resolved and anglers can simply phone Canadian Customs on the morning of the event to announce they’ll fish Canadian waters.

The following is a press release:

Calcium, NY -- The NY BASS Chapter Federation (NYBCF) will fish the St. Lawrence River on Sunday (July 22)with anglers competing for their portion of the $20,000 in prize money.

The first place boater wins a guaranteed $2,500 and the first place non-boater earns $1,500 in their respective division. The morning launch and afternoon weigh-in will be held at the Massena Intake located on Route 131.

This event is the number two stop on the NYBCF 2012 tournament trail and many anglers are excited to get back on the big river. Last year marked the NYBCF’s first time launching that far north on the river and every angler in attendance caught fish and several fish five limits in excess of 16 lbs were brought to the scales with the big bass prize money going to a smallmouth weighing 5.52 lbs. caught by Joe Tefft of Washington County Bassmasters.

The interesting part about last year’s tournament is the Canadian Waters were put off limits due to border issues; however, those issues have since been resolved and anglers can simply phone Canadian Customs on the morning of the event to announce they’ll fish Canadian waters.

With the expanded angling opportunities and buzz going into this event we caught up with last year’s winner and defending champion Steve Pickard of Port City Bassmasters to get his take on it all and here’s what he had to say.

Q: With this warmer spring how do you think it will affect the bass fishing this time around?

Pickard: Honestly, I don’t think this year’s higher than normal temps will have a huge impact on the fish in the River. There’s such a good flow of water in that section of the river that the fish should still be holding in their normal areas.

Q: What’s your projected weight for the winner and weight needed to cash a check?

Pickard: I’d say the winner will need 19 lbs. or better in order to take top honors at this tournament. A lot of the anglers gained valuable information during last year’s tournament and that will help them put together a better game plan going into practice this year. Keep in mind that the playing field has also grown in size with the Canadian waters being open. This should also play in increasing the weights from last year. As far as cashing a check, I’d put the cut weight at around 14 lbs.

Q: Any predictions on the big bass weight?

Pickard: I believe last year it was around 5 1/2 lbs. and I think it will take another one of those to take Big Bass honors, but don’t be surprised if a 6 pounder comes to the scales this year though.

Q: What techniques do think will be the most productive?

Pickard: I think fishing a drop shot in about 30-40 ft. off one of the Islands proves to be a very productive technique in catching a heavy stringer. However, there is an aggressive current running through that part of the river, so shallow water smallmouth could be productive as well.

Q: Who are the top five anglers you’d pick to win the event?

Pickard: This is a tough question since we have so many great anglers in our federation, but to throw some names out there that could be in the winner’s circle……. I would say that Chris Flint, Gary Menchen, Kerry Rice, Joe Matt, and Ken Bracy definitely have as good a chance as anyone to win this event.

For additional information media can contact NYBCF Public Relations Officer, Burnie Haney at 315.408.7622 or [email protected]m

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