Bass tourneys abound

LCI Bass Tournament Trail a new, 2-state event

By DENNIS APRILL, Outdoors Columnist

This summer should be a busy one for competitive bass angling on Lake Champlain. In addition to the big Wal-Mart FLW Bass Tournament June 19-22 in Plattsburgh and the Operation Bass Everstart Tournament July 24-27 in Ticonderoga, there are dozens of smaller bass tourneys scheduled throughout the summer. At any given time, there could be 500 boats filled with competitors out fishing the big lake.

Most of the bass tournaments are catch-and-release, so there should not be a major drop-off in bass numbers. But our fish will undoubtedly get smarter and harder to catch as the summer progresses.

Just when all the tourney slots seemed filled for this year, we have yet another bass tournament scheduled, this one split between Vermont and New York.

The Lake Champlain International Bass Tournament Trail is billed as an event for the serious local bass angler. Lake Champlain International, organizer of the LCI Fishing Derby in June, has created this new tournament with three main events and a Tournament of Champions.

The Trail for anglers starts June 9 in Ticonderoga. Then, on July 21, the tour moves to the Apple Island Resort in South Hero, VT. The third stop is Aug. 4 in Plattsburgh, with the Tournament of Champions Sept. 8 in Mallet’s Bay, VT.

The Trail will be a team event, with the top prize a Skeeter SX 180 bass boat. For each event, based on 110 entries, the top prize at each will be $5,000, with descending amounts down to number 16 finisher.

The top five teams from each of the three tournaments qualify for the Tournament of Champions. The next 35 spots are determined by overall point totals. Team entry fees are $250 per tournament plus a one-time $30 membership fee.

For more information, see the LCI Derby Gazette or visit the website www.lciderby.com or call (802) 862-7777.