Fantasy Fishing: All-in on St. Lawrence River

Written by

Pete Robbins

With the win-and-you’re-in format of the season-ending event on the St. Lawrence River, even the most woebegone slump-sufferer on the Elite Series circuit still has something to fish for. In fact, it’s something pretty big – a Classic berth. While someone could indeed come out of left field to claim the victory, don’t get sucked into picking wild cards this week. If they’re stuck on a bad beat, I think they’re more likely to get further entrenched in the quicksand than they are to pull out a “W.”

Instead, pick anglers with a proven history on this water and others like it, particularly forward-facing sonar experts who have a knack for catching smallmouth that average just a few more ounces than everyone else catches. I know that many of you don’t want to hear that FFS will be a difference maker, but at this point you can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube…at least not this season.

One group to be wary of, however, is the crew that has little reason to take a risk or go big. If they’re locked into the Classic, but don’t have a chance at AOY, they might not want to make the long run in big water to what are perceived to be the most fertile grounds. Then again, they might. This is a weird bunch and they consistently defy expectations.

And if you can, pick a handful of Johnstons.

BUCKET A: PICK ONE

MY PICK: I’m going with Chris Johnston in the pole position simply because he has a legit shot at the AOY, and the brothers will fight for themselves, but also for the bonuses that come with that title. It doesn’t hurt that he’s finished in the top six on five occasions here.

MY BACKUP: Cory Johnston still has an outside shot at AOY, although some dominoes will have to fall, and his reputation and track record on the St. Lawrence are stellar as well, although he lacks a win here.

BUCKET B: NEEDING THE BOOST

MY PICK: After a tough first day on Champlain, Brandon Palaniuk went from comfortably inside the Classic cut to barely inside. He’ll have to catch them decently to make it to Ft. Worth, and I don’t see any scenario where he fails to do that. Yes, he had an atypical bomb at the St. Lawrence last year, but otherwise his results are superlative, including a win.

MY BACKUP: Taku Ito is a few spots ahead of Palaniuk in AOY, and loves him some Smallmouth Disneyland, but something just seems a little off about him this year. By anyone else’s standards, it could be a career year with a win, but I expect more out of him. A second win would change that opinion.

BUCKET C: DADDY DAYCARE

MY PICK: Not only is Bob Downey an all-around nice guy, but it’s a great story to see him on the cusp of a Classic berth after skipping a tournament for the birth of his son. He’s never missed a cut here, and finished 10th in 2022.

MY BACKUP: No one could be angry if Jeff Gustafson won the whole shooting match, and a Classic without Gussy would be a sad affair indeed. My only reservation in picking him is that he has a boat that’s slower than most, which limits his ability to get to the lake with ample time, thereby constricting his choices.

BUCKET D: GIANT HUNTERS

MY PICK: Paul Mueller caught the largest smallmouth in BASS history here at the St. Lawrence, and he’s a smallmouth guru. The Bucket D placement shows that he’s had a tough season, but he has loads of experience on the big water and as 2nd and 5th place finishes here on his tournament ledger.

MY BACKUP: Last year, then-rookie Bryant Smith caught the biggest five bass limit of smallmouth in Bassmaster history on the St. Lawrence. If he bottled up some of what made that work and can apply it this time, he could turn around what I’m sure has otherwise been a frustrating season.

BUCKET E: ALL-IN

MY PICK: Jamie Hartman is too good of an angler, especially up north, to stay down much longer. If his physical plant can withstand the pounding of the river’s big water, look for him to take a risk on winning it all to get back to the Classic for the first time since 2021.

MY BACKUP: Bernie Schultz always does well in New York, and I believe that since the lake is a less viable option for most than when the field launches in Clayton, that plays better for his strengths, and for what the winning weight might be.