PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -
On Thursday, more than 250 pro anglers loaded up their gear and cleaned off their sonar screens to get ready to tackle Lake Champlain for the FLW tournament.
The event not only brings a lot of people, but big prizes, including top prize of $125,000 dollars.
But it's not all about the money that brings these anglers here.
"It's one of the biggest places we go, it has tremendous numbers, it has good sized fish," said Greg Bohannan.
"You can go small mouth fishing in the morning and in the afternoon go large mouth fishing, and in both ways catch some big fish," said Vic Vatalaro.
After seeing all the pro anglers out here you might be intrigued to try some bass fishing yourself.
Experts say you don't need to go out in the middle of Lake Champlain to catch it.
You can go to a bay or a sand bar; just cast a line and they say there are plenty of fish out there.
The FLW has had Lake Champlain on its schedule numerous times.
But this year is different.
Anglers say the warm winter and spring has changed how they plan to attack this year's competition.
"Normally I small fish mouth fish here. I usually go north and target small mouth. I'm going to go about 75 miles south and target large mouth," said Bohannan.
"This time I'm going to fish for large mouth too. It seems like the large mouth are very aggressive right now."
And that aggression might just pay off big in the end.
There's plenty of stuff for you to do.
On Thursday and Friday they'll be weighing in the fish at 2:30 on Dock Street.
This weekend at the Plattsburgh State field house from noon to 4 you can meet the anglers and win prizes, like free fishing poles for kids or an ATV giveaway.
