The timing of the spring warm up will a have a big impact on how most pros will attack the EverStart Northern Division event slated for July 20-23 on the Detroit River in Trenton, Mich.
An early spring should mean water temps will have warmed sufficiently to carry plump Erie smallmouths through the post spawn mode and into the early stages of a summer pattern. Conversely, a late spring may have caused a delay in the transition. If that’s the case, some anglers may look to Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River to fill their sacks as opposed to gambling on the big water gypsies.
Key patterns: If the wind allows, many anglers will make long runs to Pelee Island and beyond to look for concentrations of smallmouths around break lines, points and humps in 15 to 25 feet of water. Drop-shot and Carolina-rigged tubes and gobies will be among the best choices.
The Detroit River and St. Clair crowds will target a mixture of smallmouths and largemouths using spinnerbaits and jerk baits around grass and rock structure.
Steve Clapper’s call: 35 pounds to make the top 10; 40-44 pounds to win it.