Ending the 2024 season at the nation’s top-ranked fishery fosters plenty of well-established optimism, and the 101 anglers competing in the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will do their best to unlock this legendary region’s bounty. Competition days will be August 15-18 with daily takeoffs from Whitaker Park at 7 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at the park at 3 p.m.
Topping Bassmaster Magazine’s 2024 100 Best Bass Lakes rankings, the St. Lawrence River’s Thousand Islands region boasts the nation’s premier smallmouth bass fishing. The Elites have seen this renowned region in various weather complexions, and it never fails to deliver the goods.
“I expect it to be almost a repeat of last year; it’ll be about looking for the better pods of fish,” said third-year Elite Series pro Jay Przekurat. “The water is starting to get up to the peak summer temperatures in the upper 60s and lower 70s in the river, and in the lake you can get into the 70s.
“The water never really gets dirty there, but you want to look for water that isn’t stagnant. So, if you’re finding water temps in the upper 70s on the Great Lakes, chances are you’re in an area that doesn’t have any current. I try and look for areas that have water flowing through them, so you have the conditions you need for smallmouth.”
The Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River is free and open to the public.
Coverage of the Humminbird Bassmaster Elite at St. Lawrence River will air on FS1 on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and Sunday on FS2 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET. Bassmaster LIVE will be streaming on Bassmaster.com all four days.
The St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce is hosting the tournament.
Women who are interested in fishing are encouraged to join a passionate community of female anglers at the St. Lawrence River BassmastHER workshop. Although gender does not dictate how successful you can be on the water, we know it helps to have a like-minded support system for education, travel, inspiration and ideation. BassmastHER was created to build a passionate community of female anglers, to inspire confidence when you make it to the water's edge and to be the conduit for creating lifetime friends and memories. The St. Lawrence River BassmastHER workshop will be held Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Donald M. Martin Civic Center, 100 Pine Street in Waddington, N.Y., 13694 (Lunch included). The BassmastHER workshop for St. Lawrence River is currently full. Coverage from the event will be featured on Bassmaster.com as well as on Bassmaster's social media platforms.
WHO: The tournament pits 101 of the top bass anglers in the world — including Progressive Bassmaster Angler of the Year leader and 2024 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors champion Justin Hamner and New York pro Kyle Patrick — against big bass and one another as they battle for the coveted championship trophy, $100,000 first-place prize and a total purse of more than $750,000.
WHERE: Whitaker Park, 100 Park Lane, Waddington, N.Y., 13694
RESOURCES: B.A.S.S. has a media boat and local angler available in two-hour increments each day of the tournament, launching at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and noon. Please email cgay@bassmaster.com to request a spot.
Angler interviews and photography/video are available to help preview the tournament. Daily results, leader photos and video clips are available upon request.
Backstage access, preferred seating and a designated angler interview area are available at the venue.
WHEN:
Thursday & Friday, Aug. 15 & 16
7:00 a.m. ET The full field of 101 anglers will launch on St. Lawrence River from Whitaker Park
3:00 p.m. ET Official weigh-in takes place at Whitaker Park. Coverage on Bassmaster.com
Saturday, Aug. 17
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. BassmastHER workshop at Donald M. Martin Civic Center in Waddington (Lunch included)
Noon ET Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens
Fun for everyone with Kids' Corner, food trucks and merchandise vendors.
Fishing's BIGGEST brands, including Bass University, the Toyota experience, Power-Pole, Garmin & Yamaha
Free demo boat rides from Nitro/Ranger/Mercury & Skeeter/Yamaha
Military & First Responder Appreciation Day: Show military or first responder ID to a staff person in the Bassmaster merchandise booth for a free hat (while supplies last)
B.A.S.S. Member Appreciation Day: B.A.S.S. members who stop by the Bassmaster merchandise booth will receive a free hat (while supplies last)
3:00 p.m. ET Official weigh-in takes place at Whitaker Park. Coverage on Bassmaster.com
Sunday, Aug. 18
7:00 a.m. ET The Top 10 anglers launch for Championship Sunday from Whitaker Park
Noon ET Elite Series Outdoors Expo opens
3:00 p.m. ET Championship Sunday official weigh-in at Whitaker Park. Coverage on Bassmaster.com
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