Elite Series Pros Looking for GOLD at the Final Two Events of 2024
The “Northern Swing” in the fishing world is a highly anticipated stretch as the grueling season comes to a close. Anglers vying for a Bassmaster Classic qualification are trying to make a move in the final events and the thought of big smallmouth and cooler temperatures becomes increasingly appealing to anglers.
Two tournaments remain in the 2024 Elite Series season: Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River, both in New York, and both set to deliver on quality smallmouth and largemouth bass. The Minn Kota® and Humminbird® anglers are gearing up to finish the season strong on these world-class fisheries, where many have had significant success in previous years. These expansive lakes in the Northeast are prone to high winds and big swells, making the need for the best and toughest gear, as well as high-quality mapping, essential.
Elite Series anglers Chad Pipkins, Greg DiPalma, and Kyle Patrick are all experienced in the North and have found success fishing the smallmouth-rich waters of Lake Champlain, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Ontario, equipped with the best products for success.
The original Ultrex™, released in 2017, quickly became a go-to motor for anglers. In 2023, Minn Kota introduced the updated and refreshed Ultrex QUEST™, featuring a sturdier platform with increased torque and efficiency. This new model is crucial for anglers who rely on their equipment to perform in rough waters. Pairing the Ultrex QUEST with Humminbird’s One-Boat Network® provides unmatched benefits, unlike anything else on the market.
“The new Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST has been an invaluable tool this year competing in the Elite Series,” said Pipkens. “Being able to keep my trolling motor on 80-90% during 15+ hour practice days while covering water will be crucial during the Northern tournaments. Being able to Spot-Lock in 3+ foot waves and stay in one place while not having to worry about drifting off the spot are small details we take for granted, but I could not fish without.”
Key components of the One-Boat Network, alongside the Ultrex QUEST, are Humminbird Lakemaster® VX Mapping and MEGA 360 Imaging®, each crucial for angler success, especially in the North. Lakemaster VX mapping allows anglers to use depth shading and depth highlights to develop patterns and understand bottom composition, making it easier to find the key spots they are looking for. Accurate mapping is critical when trying to break down the vast waters of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River.
“My Lakemaster VX Mapping is by far the most important piece of the puzzle when trying to break down large bodies of water in the North,” said DiPalma. “Finding subtle changes in contour lines helps me locate areas that hold bigger than average size fish like hard spots, rock piles, depressions, or current breaks. Lakemaster provides a look under the water’s surface and paints an accurate picture of how the lake sets up, which helps me learn what the fish are doing throughout practice and during the tournament.”
With the Elite series transitioning to Northern fisheries for the last two events of the year, structure plays an important role when locating schools of fish. Pairing Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging® with Humminbird MEGA 360 helps anglers see every minor detail that others might pass over. MEGA 360 displays a clear image of the bottom and unlocks key areas where large fish are holding.
Elite Series Rookie Kyle Patrick explained, “With forward facing sonar you will never get the picture and clarity that you do using MEGA 360. When fishing a grass flat, I use it to find holes in the grass, little points, hard spots and rock piles that you would never be able to see with forward facing sonar. When I see someone without a MEGA 360 on their boat, I automatically know I have an advantage over the competition.”
As the final two tournaments approach, anglers are gearing up for intense competitions to close out the 2024 season. Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence River are storied fisheries where many anglers have prior tournament experience. They will put their equipment to the test, hoping for a strong finish to their season.