Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie promises big weights if the wind cooperates
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Veteran local guide Frank Campbell said that much has changed about the fishing in Lake Erie over the decades, but the competitors in the Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender should know that one thing has remained the same: The importance and unpredictability of the wind.
“You don’t want it flat calm,” explained the operator of Niagara Region Charter Service. “But you don’t want it to misbehave, either. If we have a 2-foot chop we’ll see big weights.”
This Great Lake has been the host to numerous Bassmaster events over the decades, including Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series tournaments out of Buffalo in 2007 and 2008. In the latter former Elite, Japanese pro Kota Kiriyama made a long run through rough water to amass 20 smallmouth bass for 93 pounds 6 ounces. Most of the more recent events on Erie, particularly Mercury B.A.S.S. Nation presented by Lowrance competitions, have launched from other sections of the massive waterway.
Campbell doesn’t believe that a long run will be necessary.
“History tells us that the runs worked, but I don’t think it will this time around,” he said. “Places like Dunkirk and Barcelona don’t have as many big fish. It’s critical not to get caught up in the numbers game. To make the Top 10 it will take a minimum of a 20-pound average per day and there won’t be a lot of separation. You’re going to see some mid- to high-20s bags. Twenty-sevenish is definitely obtainable this time of year.”
He expects that the tournament will be won within 15 miles of the launch site in Buffalo where exceptional walleye fishing in recent weeks has kept the locals focused on filling their freezers rather than targeting the massive numbers of oversized brown bass. He also expects that it will be won deep, likely in the 35- to 40-foot range. The fish may be on the bottom or they may be suspended, but they’ll reside in areas with deep water refuge.
This is the final event of the Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens presented by Battery Tender season prior to the start of the Nitro Boats Bassmaster Elite Qualifiers presented by Bass Pro Shops. Division 1 and Division 2 of the Opens both include two events with forward facing sonar and two without. Lake Erie, the fourth event of Division 1, will allow anglers to use this technology. Campbell believes that forward-facing sonar has the ability to allow anglers to remain efficient and consistent throughout the event.
“You can use it to target fish that aren’t otherwise being targeted,” he explained. “It allows you to stay with the fish. The biggest fish will be found on solitary structure like isolated boulders off the beaten path.”
Various baits closely associated with FFS, like jighead minnows and urchins, may play, but Campbell said that a drop shot would be his number one choice. It’s the same tool that Kiriyama used to catch suspended bass residing below large schools of bait, but the technology has changed — not just the electronics available, but also the rods, reels, lines, lures and even terminal tackle — since the time of that history-making victory.
He added that there will be opportunities to power fish in shallower water with traditional lures like jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. Those techniques may even produce a handful of competitive bags of smallmouths, but he doesn’t expect that bite to be consistent or predictable.
“Those fish tend not to hold out,” Campbell said. “You’ll see them, catch them and then they’re gone. They’re roving packs.”
Competition days will be August 20-22 with daily takeoffs from Buffalo Harbor State Park at 6:30 a.m. ET and weigh-ins each day at the same location at 2:30 p.m.
Current forecasts project that the competition day temperatures will rise into the upper 70s, pushing 80, before dropping to about 60 overnight.
This tournament will help to determine which anglers move on to the Elite Qualifiers in September, October and November which will in turn spawn the next generation of Elite Series rookies. Cody Stahl of Georgia currently leads the Division 1 standings with 557 points. Bryson O’Steen of Florida is 5 points behind him and Kaden Buchmann of North Carolina sits in third with 544.
Buffalo, New York is hosting this event.
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series P
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series
2026 Bassmaster Opens Series
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, Turtlebox Bassmaster Opens Series presented by Battery Tender, Nitro Boats Bassmaster 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, Tackle Warehouse 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.
