Clayton/Alexandria Bay - St. Lawrence River
Overview
The St. Lawrence River is one of the premier smallmouth bass fisheries in the world. Tournaments out of Clayton will almost certainly be won with smallmouth (even if winds keep boats off the main lake). This section of the river is the most likely to give up a big largemouth bag, but even a great largemouth limit (18-19 pounds) will usually be eclipsed with a winning smallmouth limit which commonly exceed 25 pounds.
Typical smallmouth presentations are successful here (jerkbaits, dropshot and tubes), but recent tournaments have been won on spybaits. This portion of the river is going to produce the largest bags and fish. The state record smallmouth was tied here in 2016.
The St. Lawrence River is one of the premier smallmouth bass fisheries in the world. Tournaments out of Clayton will almost certainly be won with smallmouth (even if winds keep boats off the main lake). This section of the river is the most likely to give up a big largemouth bag, but even a great largemouth limit (18-19 pounds) will usually be eclipsed with a winning smallmouth limit which commonly exceed 25 pounds.
Typical smallmouth presentations are successful here (jerkbaits, dropshot and tubes), but recent tournaments have been won on spybaits. This portion of the river is going to produce the largest bags and fish. The state record smallmouth was tied here in 2016.
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Lodging
Featured Lodging: 1. LANZ'S MOTEL, COTTAGES, AND CAMPGROUND Amenities - Pool, sand beach, waterfront deck, easy in & out boat launch, cottages, motel, RV park, heat & AC, boat parking and recharging at your room Website: http://www.lanzs.com/ Phone: (315) 686-5690 Address: 40033 NYS Route 12 Clayton, New York 13624 Additional Lodging |
Tournament Results & Records
Average Best Five Bass = 21.18 pounds (44) Average 10th Place boater = 15.31 pounds (17) Average 50% Place Boater = 9.69 pounds (17) Average Nonboater Best Five Bass = 16.64 pounds (17) Average 10th place Nonboater = 12.62 pounds (17) Average 50% Nonboater = 5.69 pounds (17) Best Five Bass Limit = 30.29 pounds (2017) Best Two Day Boater = 50.6 pounds (2014) Best Three Day Boater = 63.81 pounds (2009 and 2012) Best Four Day Boater = 78.89 pounds (2002) Biggest Bass = 8.25 pounds (2016) |
Current Conditions
Maps
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2017 - Manson says every fish he weighed in came on a 4-inch Smoke Purple and Blue Highlight-colored Gajo Baits Spirit Shad on a drop-shot.
***Link provided for a different drop shot bait.*** |
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The 2017 Costa was won on a dropshot - Yamamoto Shad Shapeworm
***Link provided for a different drop shot bait.*** |
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The 2016 Costa was won on a handful of baits (Megabass Vision 110, Spinbait and dropshot).
***Link provided for a different jerkbait.*** |
