PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. — For the past decade, you could set your watch by it. But not this year.
For the first time since 2015, the Great Lakes Division of the Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine will visit the Mississippi River at Prairie du Chien in June as opposed to the typical August event. As a result, anglers are going to adjust their timing.
This year, BFL anglers benefit from an expanded slate of Regionals, which minimizes travel costs and provides more opportunities to qualify for the $120,000 BFL All-American while fishing familiar, closer-to-home waters. Click here to find out more.
What to expect
If this were any other year, anglers would hardly need this preview article. They could go back and check out the plethora of them over the years prepping for Prairie du Chien events in August.
But with this event taking place June 14, local Mike Feldermann says things will definitely be different than expected.
“This time of year, it could be won in the dead lakes or in the channel,” Feldermann said. “Really, the whole river is open.”
He still thinks more than 70 percent of the field will lock up from Pool 10 to Pool 9, as he admits it tends to be the better pool. It’s especially productive in August, once the vegetation has really taken over. Right now, though, it’s still in the early stages.
“You have a little leftover pond weed and some coontail, but the lily pads are still very small,” Feldermann said. “That’s going to change the bite a lot.”
While vegetation will still be a key piece of the puzzle on the fishery (because it almost always is), Feldermann says he wouldn’t be surprised to see hard cover like laydowns and rip rap take on a more prominent role in this derby.
As for fish species, yes, some smallmouth will be caught, but anyone contending for the win will probably have all green fish in their bags.
Baits to bring
While the time of year might be different, Feldermann says there’s no reason to overthink baits.
“I’m sure anglers will have 20 rods on their decks, but really, they just need five or six,” Feldermann said. “You’ll want a spinnerbait, vibrating jig, swim jig, frog, another topwater like a buzzbait or toad, and maybe a swimbait.”
What will it take?
While tournaments farther up the river out of LaCrosse tend to see winners crack 20 pounds, Feldermann is not sure it will take that much to win this one. Instead, he says the 18- to 19-pound range should put an angler in the mix for the hardware, with 14 or so getting a check.
Sign up to Fish 4 Free!
Every Phoenix Bass Fishing League angler fishing the fourth event in each division this season will receive an Abu Garcia gift pack valued at $230 for boaters and $180 for co-anglers – a value that exceeds the entry fee. It’s like Fishing 4 FREE! Plus, participants will receive a code for 25% off an order at AbuGarcia.com. Click here to sign up for the Abu Garcia Fishing 4 Free promotion, or call 270-252-1000 to take advantage of this offer. Anglers will receive their gift pack at the event.