OTHELLO, Wash. – High water and bass spread across all stages of the spawn are the conditions welcoming anglers to Potholes Reservoir on June 19 – 21 for the BAM Trail Mercury / Vexus Pro-Am. The pro and co-angler draw-tournament marks the mid-way point of the Northwest Trail and awards a Mercury-powered Vexus 1880 boat to the pro winner of the three-day event hosted in partnership with Grant County Tourism and presented by Tackle Warehouse and conservation sponsor Fisherman’s Warehouse.
Washington state local Justin Campbell of Pasco, a BAM Super 60 angler, has recently spent time on the fishery and noted the current challenges. He feels elevated water levels and an abundance of newly flooded cover will play a major role in the outcome.
“This time of year can be weird,” the veteran angler said. “You have to cover a lot of water, but at the same time it can be very specific to a certain bush, a beaver hut, or something like that. You’ve just got to read what’s in front of you and go with the flow. Just cover a bunch of water until you run into the right island, dune, or cove and when you find the right area, it can get right in a hurry.”
A Junk Fisherman’s Dream
Campbell’s game plan sounded simple: trolling motor down – cover water.
With bass in all stages of the spawn and the potential to qualify for Championship Sunday with a multitude of biting smallmouth, Campbell feels the bite will open to most angler’s preferred technique.
“The guys who find the right area could catch them on reaction baits, especially for the first couple of hours in the morning,” he shared. “If there’s no wind, I feel like it kind of goes to finesse fishing. If the wind blows all day, then you can get on a reaction bite all day long.”
While Potholes offers plenty of targets, anglers likely won’t need to look too deep. Most of the productive fish are expected to be in 10-feet of water or less.
“It’s pretty shallow,” Campbell explained. “You’ll have a mix of sight-fishing opportunities, cruising bass, and some fish relating to points and beaver huts, but for the most part everything is shallow.”
Spawn Still Playing a Role
With the Potholes fish in multiple seasonal phases, competitors will have several bass-catching patterns to choose from.
“There are still a few fish spawning,” he said. “There are some fry guarders around, but I think most of them are post-spawn.”
Although there are opportunities for anglers employing different techniques throughout the event, Campbell expects presentations with natural colors to dominate.
“Green Pumpkin is a staple,” he said. “Black-and-blue or June bug are other good choices.”
Advice for BAM Co-Anglers
Yamamoto Senko[/caption]
For anglers fishing from the back deck, patience and observation may be the most valuable tools in the boat.
“Pay attention to what your pro is doing and look for places he’s not casting,” Campbell advised. “If he’s catching them on a certain bait, maybe switch to that. But I’d stay slow with something like a Senko behind him and just grind it out.”
Predicting the top 10 Cut Line
As for the winning weight, Campbell thinks Potholes to produce solid summer bags.
“I think it will be around 50-pounds for three days,” he said.
As for the coveted top-10 cut, he felt it would take about 45 pounds to survive and a largemouth in the five-pound class to claim big bass honor.
“There are plenty of smallmouth,” he said. “If somebody could really figure them out, they could probably sneak into the top-10 with them, but largemouth usually win.”
Confidence May Be the Key
When all is said and done, the recipe for success at Potholes may not be overly complicated. With conditions as they are, it is anticipated anglers will be able to lean on their strengths rather than force a specific approach.
“It’s a good junk-fishing fishery right now,” Campbell said. “You can fish whatever your strengths are. Just stick with your confidence bait.”
For a field chasing heavy bags and a spot in the top-10, that confidence could be the difference when putting them in the box for a trip to Championship Sunday.
The BAM Trail Mercury / Vexus Boats Pro-Am returns to Potholes Reservoir for the second consecutive year. Scheduled slightly earlier than last season, anglers expect an even stronger bite as some of the Northwest’s top bass fishermen compete for a Mercury-powered Vexus 1880 boat package, cash payouts, contingency awards, and championship honors.
Launching from Mardon Resort, this three-day professional bass fishing event will showcase some of the best anglers in the West while providing extensive media coverage through livestreams, social media, podcasts, websites, and Bass Angler Magazine print publication.
Hosted in partnership with Grant County Tourism, the event is expected to bring anglers and their families from across the Western United States to the Moses Lake and Potholes region, generating tourism and economic impact for local businesses.”
Media representatives are welcome to attend to report, film, interview anglers, or cover the event.
For media requests contact: Mark Lassagne 925-787-3474 [email protected]
BAM Potholes Pro Am Tournament Schedule:
The lake will be off-limits and to all contestants on June 15-16.
Official practice days are June 17-18 – All anglers must be off the water by 4:00 PM on June 18
Angler check-in will be held Thursday, June 18, at the BAM trailer from 4:30–5:30 PM.
The official event meeting will follow at 6:00 PM (in-person and live on BAM YouTube / Facebook)
Daily weigh-ins will take place live at Mardon Resort and are open to the public.
Friday afternoon June 19: Live weigh in starting at 2:30 pm
Saturday afternoon June 20: Live weigh-in starting at 2:30 pm
Top Ten Pro’s and Co’s are announced.
Scholastic Champion will be crowned
Award the Tackle Warehouse and Black Bear Diner contingency winners
Payouts from 11th place through the final paid position.
Sunday afternoon June 21: Live weigh-in starting 2:30 pm
Top Ten Pro’s and Co’s compete for the championship
Awards will include a brand-new Mercury-powered Vexus 1880, the Bass Boat Technologies $250 contingency, and payouts to the Top 10.
Complete Rules and Event Information is Available at www.bamtrail.com
Campbell’s game plan sounded simple: trolling motor down – cover water.
