The crowds at Elite Series weigh-ins grow larger every year. There’s nothing quite like seeing the pros in person as they step to the scales and banter with MC Dave Mercer. If you’re fortunate enough to attend one of these events, be sure to take advantage of the diverse opportunities the local has to offer before and after the weigh-in. Here’s a sampling of things to do.
Cayuga Lake, Union Springs, N.Y., June 23-26, 2016
Union Springs lies in the heart of New York’s famous Finger Lakes wine country. Here you can tour wineries and taste world-renown Rieslings, as well as delicious Pinot Noirs, Syrahs and Chardonnays. Wine tours are available if you wish to leave the driving to someone else. Area hotels also offer special wine packages. Just south of Union Springs is the world-renowned MacKenzie-Childs, producing hand crafted ceramics, home furnishings and one of a kind collectables.
The timing of this tournament couldn’t be better for sacking Cayuga Lake’s hefty largemouth bass. Smallmouth bass also live here, but the largemouth are sure to dominate, as they did for Greg Hackney who won an Elite Series tournament here in August of 2015 with a whopping 85 pounds.
I Love NY and The Village of Union Springs: unionspringsny.com and www.mackenzie-childs.com
Classic Bracket, Niagara River, Buffalo, N.Y., July 19-22, 2016
The problem with Buffalo is choosing what to do. There are just too many amazing options. If you’ve never witnessed magnificent Niagara Falls, this is your chance. Anchor Bar started the Buffalo chicken wing craze and it is one of many popular restaurants here where you can sample a host of different wing recipes. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery displays the works of Monet and other artist of the “Impressionist Revolution.” Festivals and music abound in Buffalo, including free concerts almost every day of the week.
This unique Bassmaster tournament pits the Top eight from the Cayuga Lake Elite event against each other in a head-to-head bracket format. The bass will be weighed by judges on the water and then immediately released.
I Love NY: www.iloveny.com
Potomac River, Charles County, Md., Aug. 11-14, 2016
Go on the trail of an assassin in Charles County! On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth rode on horseback with co-conspirator David Herold to Dr. Mudd’s home in the early hours of April 15 for surgery on his fractured leg before continuing his escape. Visit the Dr. Samuel Mudd House Museum in Waldorf: www.drmudd.org.
For continued history, see the countryside after downloading the Maryland Civil War Trails app, as more than 225 authentic sites, museums and Civil War battlefields are in the area
The Potomac River offers a wide variety of habitat, from lush grass beds to visible wood cover to manmade structure. It favors Elite pros who have extensive tidal experience, including Michael Iaconelli and Jacob Powroznik.
Charles County, Md.: www.charlescountymd.gov
Mississippi River, La Crosse, Wis., Sept. 8-11, 2016
There’s no end of things to do in La Crosse. You might start by heading to Grandad Bluff, which offers a panoramic view of the Mississippi River Valley and three states. Drive the Barn Quilt Tour through southeast Minnesota and view 60 quilts displayed on agricultural buildings. The Children’s Museum of La Crosse features three floors of hands-on exhibits, a climbing wall and more. Tour the Pearl Street Brewery, which crafts beer with Wisconsin malted grains.
Tommy Biffle won an Elite Series tournament here in 2013 by weighing in mainly smallmouth bass. Todd Faircloth boated largemouth bass when he won an Elite event here in 2012. Which species will win this time around?
La Crosse Area Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.explorelacrosse.com
Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship, Mille Lacs Lake, Mille Lacs, Minn., Sept. 15-18, 2016
Rent a bicycle at Hunter Winfield’s Resort and trek the Milaca Mountain Bike Trail. It traverses 14 miles through 200 acres of woods, hills and fields along the scenic Rum River. Bring your golf clubs if you wish to test your skill at three beautiful courses. Visit the Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post to learn about the history, art and culture of the Mille Lacs band of Ojibwe. If you’re feeling lucky, head for Grand Casino Mille Lacs, where you’ll find over 1,500 video slots, blackjack tables and live bingo.
This will be the Elite Series first visit to massive 132,516-acre Mille Lacs Lake. Although this natural lake is better known for its walleye and muskie fishing, the Elite pros will quickly discover that it also has a world class smallmouth fishery.
Mille Lacs Area Tourism Council and Grand Casino Mille Lacs: www.millelacs.com and grandcasinomn.com