Messer chases smallmouth to Elite Qualifier lead at Lake Champlain
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. — Matt Messer wasn’t necessarily joking when he said he can’t catch smallmouth bass.
But Thursday, on Day 1 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops, Messer pounded the lake’s legendary smallmouth population, eventually weighing a five-bass limit for 23 pounds, 9 ounces on a blustery day here in the far northeast corner of the Empire State.
Messer, a 23-year-old native of Warfield, Ky., is a self-confessed sucker for largemouth bass, so his success with Champlain’s smallies surprised him.
“I had over 20 pounds (of smallmouth bass) at about 10 o’clock this morning and then caught two bigger ones late,” Messer said. “It was a pretty consistent bite all day. I culled out like eight 4-pounders today … I saw some stuff in practice but didn’t have a set spot to go to, so I was kind of bouncing around this morning. But I landed on ’em big time this morning and I didn’t leave ’em there … I got every bite I could. It was a fun day.”
So fun, in fact, that Messer never had to look for the largemouth he figured he’d need to get a solid start to the 2025 Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers Series. Instead, he focused on an area measuring about 1 1/2 miles long and hammered the smallies from the start on Thursday. He said his best bites came from pairs and trios of smallmouth bass suspended throughout Champlain’s water column.
The weather is expected to change some overnight, with temperatures dropping from the lower 70s on Thursday to the 50s for much of the fishing time on Friday. Sustained winds of 10-15 mph are expected to blow from the north, as well, which could scatter bass and the bait they’re chasing on Champlain.
No matter, Messer said. He’ll stick with what put him in the pole position on Day 1.
“I tried to catch largemouth all during practice (and got nothing,)” he said. “I don’t know how these boys are doing it. I love largemouth fishing, but I can’t catch ’em here. So, I’m sticking with the smallmouth.”
Grae Buck, a 35-year-old pro from Green Lake, Pa., finished Day 1 with a 23-8 limit, only an ounce behind Messer’s total.
“It was the best day I’ve ever had on Champlain,” Buck said. “Everything went right.”
Like Messer, Buck started on the smallmouth bite and had a limit within an hour after take-off. That allowed him to spend much of the day “headhunting” for largemouth bass, and unlike the guy he’s trailing, Buck built his bag on largemouth. His 5-11 was the Phoenix Boats Big Bass on Thursday but he also bagged another 5-pound largemouth and added a 5-pound smallmouth to his mix.
“I found two good largemouth that put me over the top today,” he said. “I don’t know if I can do it again tomorrow, but we’re gonna’ try. It was the perfect start to the EQs. I know Champlain better than the other places we’re going, so I wanted to make it count this week.”
Until Thursday, though, Buck said he’s not had great success at this 278,000-acre mammoth lake straddling the New York/Vermont border.
“I’ve fished here a lot … cashed checks here,” he said. “But I’ve never had a Top 10 here. I spent a lot of time here before the off-limit (period) and tried to get really dialed in. One of the areas (I found in pre-fishing) really paid off today.”
Rounding out the Top 5 on Day 1 of the tournament are Tennessee’s Christian Nash with 22-13; local favorite Alec Morrison, of Peru, N.Y., with 22-10; and Alabama veteran Russ Lane right behind with 22-9.
A total of 105 pros are competing on Champlain, with 97 of them in the EQ field. The 10 atop the points standings following the season’s three EQ tournaments will earn an invitation into the 2026 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series. The other two EQ tournaments in 2025 are scheduled for Alabama’s Wheeler Lake Oct. 2-4 and Florida’s Lake Okeechobee Nov. 13-15.
In addition to first-place checks of some $58,000, the three winners will earn spots in the 2026 Bass Pros Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour when it’s held in Knoxville on the Tennessee River in March.
The 10 pros at Champlain who aren’t in the EQ group are fishing for a Classic berth and part of $294,000 to be split among the Top 40 anglers in the field.
The Top 50 anglers in the points in both Division 1 and 2 of this year’s Opens qualified for the EQs. The circuit also was open to any 2025 Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro as well as the Top 3 anglers in the 2024 Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Championship presented by Lowrance.
Day 2 of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops takes off at 7 a.m. ET Friday from the Plattsburgh Boat Basin. Weigh-in will begin at 3 p.m. ET from the same location. The field will be cut to the Top 10 on Saturday for the final day of fishing.
Coverage of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops can be found on Bassmaster.com each day. Live coverage of Championship Saturday will be streamed on Bassmaster.com as well as the Roku Sports Channel from 7-10 a.m. ET and 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This event is being hosted by The Adirondack Coast.
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Title Sponsor: St. Croix
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Presenting Sponsor: SEVIIN
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Platinum Sponsors: Progressive, Toyota
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Premier Sponsors: Bass Pro Shops, Dakota Lithium, Humminbird, Mercury, Minn Kota, Nitro Boats, Power-Pole, Ranger Boats, Rapala, Skeeter Boats, Yamaha
2025 Bassmaster Opens Series Supporting Sponsors: AFTCO, Daiwa, Garmin, Lew’s, Lowrance, Triton Boats, VMC, Yokohama
About B.A.S.S.
B.A.S.S., which encompasses the Bassmaster tournament leagues, events and media platforms, is the worldwide authority on bass fishing and keeper of the culture of the sport, providing cutting-edge content on bass fishing whenever, wherever and however bass fishing fans want to use it. Headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., the organization’s fully integrated media platforms include the industry’s leading magazines (Bassmaster and B.A.S.S. Times), website (Bassmaster.com), TV show, radio show, social media programs and events. For more than 50 years, B.A.S.S. has been dedicated to access, conservation and youth fishing.
The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the most prestigious events at each level of competition, including the Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series, St. Croix Bassmaster Opens Series presented by SEVIIN, Nitro Boats Elite Qualifiers Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation Qualifier Series presented by Lowrance, Strike King Bassmaster College Series presented by Bass Pro Shops, Strike King Bassmaster High School Series, Bassmaster Junior Series, TNT Fireworks Bassmaster Team Championship, Newport Bassmaster Kayak Series presented by Native Watercraft, Bassmaster College Kayak Series, Yamaha Bassmaster Redfish Cup Championship presented by Skeeter and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Under Armour.
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2025 Nitro Bassmaster Elite Qualifier at Lake Champlain presented by Bass Pro Shops 9/18-9/20
Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 23-09 95
Day 1: 5 23-09
2. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 23-08 94
Day 1: 5 23-08
3. Christian Nash Allons, TN 5 22-13 93
Day 1: 5 22-13
4. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 5 22-10 92
Day 1: 5 22-10
5. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 22-09 91
Day 1: 5 22-09
6. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 22-08 90
Day 1: 5 22-08
7. Ethan Fields Carlyle, IL 5 22-07 89
Day 1: 5 22-07
8. Emil Wagner Marietta, GA 5 22-02 0
Day 1: 5 22-02
9. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 22-00 88
Day 1: 5 22-00
10. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 21-13 87
Day 1: 5 21-13
10. Austin Cranford Moore, OK 5 21-13 86
Day 1: 5 21-13
10. Jace Lindsay Beckville, TX 5 21-13 85
Day 1: 5 21-13
13. Fisher Anaya Eva, AL 5 21-11 84
Day 1: 5 21-11
14. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 21-05 83
Day 1: 5 21-05
15. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 21-04 82
Day 1: 5 21-04
15. Garrett Paquette Canton, MI 5 21-04 81
Day 1: 5 21-04
17. Cameron Mattison Benton, LA 5 21-03 80
Day 1: 5 21-03
18. Timothy Dube Nashua , NH 5 21-02 79
Day 1: 5 21-02
18. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 21-02 78
Day 1: 5 21-02
20. Aaron Jagdfeld Rochester Hills, MI 5 21-00 77
Day 1: 5 21-00
20. Jack York Emory, TX 5 21-00 76
Day 1: 5 21-00
22. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 20-15 75
Day 1: 5 20-15
23. Tai Au Glendale, AZ 5 20-14 74
Day 1: 5 20-14
24. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 20-13 73
Day 1: 5 20-13
24. Riley Nielsen Salt Lake City, UT 5 20-13 72
Day 1: 5 20-13
24. Jaden Parrish Liberty, TX 5 20-13 71
Day 1: 5 20-13
24. Jimmy Washam Stantonville, TN 5 20-13 70
Day 1: 5 20-13
28. Brock Reinkemeyer Warsaw, MO 5 20-11 69
Day 1: 5 20-11
29. Ed Loughran III Richmond, VA 5 20-10 68
Day 1: 5 20-10
29. Lane Olson Forest Grove, OR 5 20-10 67
Day 1: 5 20-10
31. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 20-09 66
Day 1: 5 20-09
32. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 20-08 65
Day 1: 5 20-08
33. Paul Marks Cumming, GA 5 20-07 0
Day 1: 5 20-07
33. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 20-07 64
Day 1: 5 20-07
35. Brad Jelinek Lincoln, MO 5 20-05 63
Day 1: 5 20-05
36. Jack Dice Lynchburg, VA 5 20-04 62
Day 1: 5 20-04
36. Danny McGarry Newcastle CANADA 5 20-04 61
Day 1: 5 20-04
38. Michael Corbishley Raleigh, NC 5 20-03 60
Day 1: 5 20-03
38. Colby Dark West Monroe, LA 5 20-03 59
Day 1: 5 20-03
40. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 20-02 58
Day 1: 5 20-02
40. Bailey Gay Union, KY 5 20-02 57
Day 1: 5 20-02
40. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 5 20-02 56
Day 1: 5 20-02
43. Seth Feider Elko New Market, MN 5 20-01 0
Day 1: 5 20-01
44. Dillon Harrell New Caney, TX 5 20-00 55
Day 1: 5 20-00
44. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 20-00 54
Day 1: 5 20-00
44. Pake South Winnsboro, TX 5 20-00 53
Day 1: 5 20-00
47. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 19-14 52
Day 1: 5 19-14
47. Parker Guy Ocilla, GA 5 19-14 51
Day 1: 5 19-14
47. Tucker Smith Birmingham, AL 5 19-14 0
Day 1: 5 19-14
50. Wyatt Marler Oldfield, MO 5 19-10 50
Day 1: 5 19-10
51. Joey Nania Cropwell, AL 5 19-08 49
Day 1: 5 19-08
51. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 19-08 48
Day 1: 5 19-08
53. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 19-07 47
Day 1: 5 19-07
54. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 19-04 46
Day 1: 5 19-04
54. Beau Browning Hot Springs National Pa 5 19-04 0
Day 1: 5 19-04
54. Andrew Loberg Guntersville, AL 5 19-04 0
Day 1: 5 19-04
57. Bailey Bleser Burlington, WI 5 19-03 45
Day 1: 5 19-03
58. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 19-02 44
Day 1: 5 19-02
58. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 5 19-02 43
Day 1: 5 19-02
60. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 19-01 42
Day 1: 5 19-01
60. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 19-01 41
Day 1: 5 19-01
62. Matt Baker Glenwood, AR 5 19-00 40
Day 1: 5 19-00
62. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 19-00 39
Day 1: 5 19-00
62. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 19-00 38
Day 1: 5 19-00
65. Yui Aoki Minamitsurugun JAPAN 5 18-15 37
Day 1: 5 18-15
65. Chris Beaudrie Princeton, KY 5 18-15 36
Day 1: 5 18-15
65. Ty Faber Pagosa Springs, CO 5 18-15 35
Day 1: 5 18-15
65. Ian Waterer East Selkirk CANADA 5 18-15 34
Day 1: 5 18-15
69. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 18-15 0
Day 1: 5 18-15
70. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 18-14 33
Day 1: 5 18-14
70. River Lee Diboll, TX 5 18-14 32
Day 1: 5 18-14
70. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 5 18-14 31
Day 1: 5 18-14
73. Casey Scanlon Eldon, MO 5 18-14 30
Day 1: 5 18-14
74. Robert Gee Knoxville, TN 5 18-12 0
Day 1: 5 18-12
75. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 18-09 29
Day 1: 5 18-09
76. Andrew Behnke Fond Du Lac, WI 5 18-08 28
Day 1: 5 18-08
76. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 18-08 27
Day 1: 5 18-08
78. Bryan Schmitt Deale, MD 5 18-07 0
Day 1: 5 18-07
79. Christian Ostrander Turlock, CA 5 18-06 26
Day 1: 5 18-06
80. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 18-02 25
Day 1: 5 18-02
81. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 18-01 24
Day 1: 5 18-01
82. Blake Smith Lakeland, FL 5 18-00 23
Day 1: 5 18-00
83. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 17-12 22
Day 1: 5 17-12
84. Bryan Partak Marseilles, IL 5 17-10 21
Day 1: 5 17-10
84. Nic Rand Paw Paw, MI 5 17-10 20
Day 1: 5 17-10
86. Evan Cox-VanVliet Loveland, CO 5 17-08 19
Day 1: 5 17-08
87. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 17-03 18
Day 1: 5 17-03
88. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 17-02 17
Day 1: 5 17-02
89. Clint Knight Russellville, KY 5 17-00 16
Day 1: 5 17-00
90. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 16-15 15
Day 1: 5 16-15
91. Paul Mueller Naugatuck, CT 5 16-11 14
Day 1: 5 16-11
92. Mark Menendez Paducah, KY 5 16-09 13
Day 1: 5 16-09
93. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 16-04 12
Day 1: 5 16-04
94. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 15-15 0
Day 1: 5 15-15
95. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 15-07 11
Day 1: 5 15-07
96. Chris Hellebuyck White Lake, MI 5 15-01 10
Day 1: 5 15-01
97. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 14-13 9
Day 1: 5 14-13
98. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 14-10 8
Day 1: 5 14-10
99. Chris Blanchette Chapin, SC 5 14-00 7
Day 1: 5 14-00
100. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 13-10 6
Day 1: 5 13-10
101. John Duvall Madison, GA 5 13-00 5
Day 1: 5 13-00
102. Joe Wieberg Freeburg, MO 5 12-12 4
Day 1: 5 12-12
103. Brian Post Janesville, WI 5 11-03 3
Day 1: 5 11-03
104. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 3 10-04 2
Day 1: 3 10-04
105. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 2 02-09 1
Day 1: 2 02-09
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Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 103 520 1996-01
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103 520 1996-01
