The second event of the year for Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Northeast Division will be held at New York’s Lake Oneida. The event’s timing should have most of the bass done with (or at the tail end of) the spawn, with the remainder settling into their summer pattern.
Tournament details
Phoenix Bass Fishing League Presented by T-H Marine Northeast Division
Brewerton, NY
June 29
About the fishery
Oneida is a popular fishery just outside of Syracuse, New York, and home to plenty of largemouth and smallmouth bass. It covers over 50,000 surface acres, and while it’s a good-sized lake, the average depth is just 22 feet. It’s located in New York’s Finger Lakes region, but it’s not considered one of the 11 Finger Lakes, as it runs a different direction and is also much shallower and warmer.
Still, it’s home to a good population of bass, according to Bass Pro Tour angler Grae Buck, who’s scored two BFL wins and a Bassmaster Open victory on the lake, with several other high finishes. Even with both species in play, Buck predicts that smallmouth will be the star of the show for the June 29 BFL.
“Ever since the gobies started showing up about ten years ago, the smallmouth keep getting bigger and bigger,” he said. “It used to be where 17 pounds would win a tournament and now you almost need that just to get a check. There should be a lot of bags in the mid-teens, and I’m guessing it will take over 21 pounds to win this one.”
The lake stretches west to east, with the takeoff at the far western end at Oneida Shores County Park. Anglers will find aquatic vegetation and rock throughout the lake, which will all hold bass.
“The key zone should be that 8 to 12 feet range for this one,” Buck said. “Typically, the far east end doesn’t play a whole lot. If you take off and head out about halfway or three-quarters of the way east, that’s probably where most of it will go down.”
What to expect
Buck was last on Oneida roughly a month ago and says the lake may be ahead of schedule this year. That leads him to believe the bass will be in a summertime pattern.
“They were already on beds when I was there, so most should be done,” he said. “There might be some stragglers, but the vast majority should be done. But, some years, I’ve caught them on beds into July, so you never know.”
With many anglers likely choosing the smallmouth route, Buck says the largemouth could still influence the outcome.
“I can see a big kicker largemouth helping someone push to the top,” he said. “A 5 ½-pounder would be a big boost and help someone get to the 21 or so pounds I think it will take to win this year.”
If Buck were fishing, he would have his bases covered with proven bottom-contact baits and a second option for when he needs to pick up the pace.
“I wish I were fishing this one, but have another tournament,” said Buck. “A drop-shot and a Ned rig with a Z-Man TRD GobyZ are perfect for the smallmouth out there,” he said. “You’ll also need something to cover water, and there can be a pretty decent ChatterBait bite at this time of year.”