Professional bass angler Adrian Avena breaks down an in-depth tournament strategy on Lake Champlain, a hotspot for both smallmouth and largemouth bass. In this tournament breakdown, Avena demonstrates how to approach a new body of water with multiple species, emphasizing adaptability and proactive fishing techniques.
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Sampling Cover and Finding Kicker Fish
Early in the day, Avena explores various cover types, including milfoil, boat docks, riprap, and pilings. He explains how quickly sampling different locations can reveal where bass are concentrated. Avena targets reaction bites and shows the importance of adjusting retrieves to trigger strikes. This approach highlights how anglers can locate kicker largemouth while building a strong five-fish limit for tournament success.
Tactical Fishing Techniques
Avena details his preference for in-and-out jig flips over dragging, optimizing the number of casts and reaction opportunities. He emphasizes using heavy braid for deep grass cover, enabling better control and reducing the risk of lost fish. Additionally, he demonstrates sight fishing techniques for smallmouth bass, showing how depth, cover, and presentation combine to catch better-than-average fish.
Putting it All Together
Avena highlights the importance of patience, precision, and observation. From spotting largemouth under bridge columns to targeting deeper smallmouth, Avena provides a full tournament breakdown. He ends up with a complete five-fish stringer, showcasing a mix of species, depths, and cover types—illustrating how strategic adaptability and the right bait selection position anglers to succeed in competitive tournaments.
