Bass Fishing Aug - Sept 2020 | Page 19

The big twist Instead of a traditional takeoff from one ramp, anglers will be allowed to trailer to and launch from the public ramp of their choosing, and it’s a safe bet that TITLE anglers will spread out from one end of Door Peninsula to the other. It’s a caveat that will afford anglers more (or sometimes less) fishing time due to not having to run the not sometimes-rough water the Great Lakes are known for. While some anglers may still choose to use the main ramp at Sawyer Park, others like Sister Bay, Olde Stone Quarry Park and the Fish Creek Ramp in Egg Harbor are all in play as well. SISTER BAY FISH CREEK OLDE STONE QUARRY PARK SAWYER PARK What to Expect Sturgeon Bay is a legendary smallmouth fishery that as recently as mid-July showed exactly what It’s capable of with the Bass Pro Tour’s fifth and final stop of the season. In that event, eventual winner Justin Lucas set records in the Qualifying Round by hauling in 141 pounds, 9 ounces on day one and 78-12 in the first period alone. All told, eight Bass Pro Tour anglers eclipsed the century mark 10 total times – a feat that had only been accomplished twice prior to the event. Easily one of the top smallmouth destinations in the U.S., Sturgeon Bay has all the makings of one of the most exciting championship tournament venues in the history of FLW. Big smallmouth sometimes pushing the 6-pound mark aren’t uncommon, and a 3- pound average for the Bass Pro Tour’s fifth stop tells you everything you need to know about the sheer volume of quality fish that swim around in Sturgeon Bay. In addition to big numbers, fans can also expect unparalleled coverage of the TITLE, with 10 live cameras capturing all the action during the Knockout Round and Championship Round. Making the TITLE The top 50 anglers in the Tackle Warehouse Pro Circuit points standings after the final 2020 regular season event earn a trip to the TITLE. Despite the final three events of the season being Super Tournaments that also feature Bass Pro Tour pros, only anglers who started the year on the Pro Circuit are eligible to make the TITLE. With one Super Tournament left on the Pro Circuit schedule, the TITLE field is not yet set, meaning there’s a lot at stake as the Pro Circuit heads to Lake Erie Aug. 11-14 for the final stop of the 2020 regular season. n AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2020 | MAJORLEAGUEFISHING.COM | FLWFISHING.COM 17