The event provided a great turnout, with 32 teams registering at the Prendergast Point boat launch. Fishing from 6 a.m. – 2 p.m., teams were allowed up to two adults and one youth per boat.

The $100 entry included entry into the Big Bass Payout, a special prize for the team that catches the biggest bass, allowing for big fish recognition. Anglers ran up and down the lake, looking for the biggest bass.

When the fishing was over, the father-son team of Nick and Max Provoriozac took home top honors with 21.17 pounds for their five fish, including a 5.17 pound big fish in their bag, edging out second-place winners, Rick Allen and Dillan LaBarbera, with 19.73 pounds and their big bass kicker of 5.11 pounds. The biggest bass of the event was caught by the 2-man team of Chuck Main and Daniel Gray with a 5.26 pound fish, but their 5-fish bag tallied 13. 87 pounds, a little short of the leaders.

For largemouth bass, favorite baits for anglers-in-the-know at Chautauqua Lake include soft plastic worms, NED rigs, crankbaits, and topwater plugs. The plastic worms are generally either Texas-rigged for fishing around vegetation (green-pumpkin and plum colors) or rigged wacky using Senko-style plastic worms around docks. Topwater plugs work well early in the day, walking the dog tactics are popular.

Dillan LaBarbera, left, and Rick Allen, who weighed 19.73 pounds, came in second place, with their big fish kicker tipping the scales at 5.11 pounds. Chautauqua Lake Bassmasters photo

For smallmouth bass, many anglers prefer drop-shot rigs with soft plastics that mimic worms, crayfish, or minnows worked around deep rocks, drop-offs and the famed kettle holes found in numerous places around the upper end of the lake. Jigs and creature baits work well too, bouncing the rigs near deeper structure.

Gotta love the outdoors.

Outdoors Calendar:

June 21: Kids Fishing Day, Westfield Fish and Game, 8150 Ogden Rd., Westfield, NY. A fun-filled day for kids to learn about fishing and enjoy the outdoors.

June 21-22: MUSKY. NY Musky, Chautauqua Lake Showdown, Launch site TBD, Region 3 Chapter Challenge; 585-287-7578.

June 25: Chautauqua County Federation of Sportsmen, monthly meeting, Conservation Building, Chautauqua Fairgrounds, 7 p.m. start.

June 26: Erie County Federation of Sportsmen, Monthly Meeting, 7 p.m., Hamburg Rod & Gun, 3434 Hickox Rd., Hamburg, Info: 716-648-2236.

June 27: WALLEYE. WNY Heroes Day (Dunkirk), Contact Jim Steel; 716-481-5348; visit https://wnyheroes.org/.