2021 MLF Bass Pro Tour Lake Champlain: Group B Qualifying Round

Justin Lucas clinched a berth in the Championship Round of Stage Six
thanks to his Group B win on Lake Champlain. (Photo: MLF)

By Mason Prince

Bass Pro Tour Press Release

PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Going into the Toyota Stage Six Presented by Googan Baits, the Angler of the Year race was thought to only be a three-horse race between Ott DeFoe, Jacob Wheeler and Brent Ehrler. Thanks to the Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, a bunch of Lake Champlain smallmouth and a trip straight to the Championship Round, it’s Justin Lucas who could be leaving New York in the driver’s seat of the AOY derby.

Lucas won Group B’s Qualifying Round with a two-day total of 31 bass for 101 pounds, 10 ounces, besting second-place Brandon Coulter by 9 ounces to earn a berth in Tuesday’s Championship Round. After Coulter caught a 2-pounder with only two minutes left in the round, Lucas said he felt the pressure. Luckily for Lucas, Coulter wasn’t able to find one more bite due to some algae blowing into his area, causing the water clarity and visibility to tank.

COMPLETE RESULTS

“I need a day off in the worst kind of way because I have to get my stuff together for the Championship Round,” a flustered Lucas said after his win. “My boat is a disaster and it was a hard fight with Coulter today. I can’t believe we won it because I really felt like things weren’t going our way, but I caught more fish today than I did on my first day. I just need an off day and a beer and I’ll be ready to go again.”

While Lucas was securing his spot in the Championship Round, Casey Ashley, Jordan Lee and Alton Jones Jr. were jockeying for the final spot in the top 20 for the right to go to the Knockout Round. Ashley led both Lee and Jones by 2-10 in the final 10 minutes. With only six minutes remaining in Period 3, Jones was able to hook a 2-11 smallmouth, knocking Ashley below the Toro Cut Line by just 1 ounce. Jordan Lee finished 2-15 behind Jones in 22nd place.