Monster bass, muddy creeks, Mother Nature
Angler Alex Korol, from nearby Fairport, took home the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open championship with his three-day, 15-bass tally of 75 pounds, 9 ounces. One hundred seventy-three anglers fished the professional, nationally televised event running from Buffalo Harbor State Park. Korol earned $36,950; it was his first B.A.S.S. competition. Photo courtesy of Andy Crawford
At Cuba Lake, the 716 Kayak Bass Trail wrapped up its season with Robert Holland claiming Angler of the Year honors. Holland credited Josh Larsen and Primitive Patriot Outdoors for helping make the season possible for him. Photo courtesy of Josh Larsen
Angler Alex Korol, from nearby Fairport, took home the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open championship with his three-day, 15-bass tally of 75 pounds, 9 ounces. One hundred seventy-three anglers fished the professional, nationally televised event running from Buffalo Harbor State Park. Korol earned $36,950; it was his first B.A.S.S. competition. Photo courtesy of Andy Crawford
At Cuba Lake, the 716 Kayak Bass Trail wrapped up its season with Robert Holland claiming Angler of the Year honors. Holland credited Josh Larsen and Primitive Patriot Outdoors for helping make the season possible for him. Photo courtesy of Josh Larsen
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The rainstorm that swept across Western New York on Sunday reminded us that Mother Nature still has the final say. High-hill creeks that had begun to show the dry fingerprints of summer suddenly came alive, roaring downhill through the flatlands and carrying a muddy signature into Lake Erie and our inland lakes. It was impressive -- and, at times, a little intimidating.
That same Lake Erie basin had already given anglers plenty to talk about.
The eastern basin may have just produced the most remarkable smallmouth bass showing in B.A.S.S. tournament history. At the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Erie presented by Battery Tender, 114 of 173 anglers caught five-bass limits weighing at least 20 pounds on Day 1, with another 100 anglers doing it again on Day 2 -- a B.A.S.S. record.
When the final weigh-in dust settled, nearby Fairport angler Alex Korol sat on top.
Fishing out of Buffalo Harbor State Park, Korol weighed 75 pounds, 9 ounces over three days, including 27-1 on Day 1, 25-1 on Day 2 and 23-7 on the final day. His 15 bass were enough to hold off Nick Trim of Wisconsin by 3 pounds, 11 ounces. Korol earned $36,950 in his first B.A.S.S. competition.
Korol spent about 80% of his tournament in 48 to 52 feet of water, targeting bass that weren’t necessarily chasing bait. His answer was a drop-shot rig tipped with a Megabass Hazedong Shad in green pumpkin, green pumpkin shad or black. Light line was part of the equation: 5-pound Cortland Master Braid main line (imagine that!) with an 8-pound Seaguar Tatsu leader.
Trim made his final-day charge with a 24-13 limit, switching from a jig-head minnow to a 3/8-ounce Cast-Again Ringer football jig. The top 45 anglers took home a paycheck, albeit, a $2,000 entry fee was required to register.
Those results reinforce something Western New York anglers already know: our fishery lineup is pretty incredibly ridiculous. From Lake Erie smallmouth to Chautauqua Lake, Cassadaga Lake, Cuba Lake and the region’s smaller waters, opportunities abound -- and sometimes the bass haven’t gotten the memo that summer is supposed to be slowing down. The musky fishery is just about to get going into high gear with autumn just ahead
On Chautauqua Lake, the second annual White Perch Challenge at Chautauqua Reel Bait & Tackle at Ashville Bay Marina also proved that fishing tournaments can double as conservation events. Weighmaster Mike Sperry added that more than 100 pounds of white perch were weighed from the 6 a.m. to noon event. Zander Lombardo won with 10.54 pounds, followed by Bill Lescynski at 10.37 and Chris Dole at 9.57. John Giardini caught the 1.05-pound big fish. Another event is planned for September.
At Cuba Lake, the 716 Kayak Bass Trail wrapped up its season with Robert Holland claiming Angler of the Year honors. Holland credited Josh Larsen and Primitive Patriot Outdoors for helping make the season possible for him. You don't need $100,000 boats to have fun fishing in New York
While anglers are still chasing fins, hunters should already be thinking about antlers. New York’s regular big-game bow season opens Oct. 1, while the special early antlerless deer season in selected WMUs runs Sept. 12-20. Any legal hunting implement permitted in that WMU may be used, including firearms, so check the current regulations before heading afield.
Finally, Western New York’s outdoor community said goodbye Saturday to Hans Mann, a beloved musky mentor, guide, championship wood carver and friend. His legacy will live on through the people he taught, the fish he pursued and the friendships he built.
Summer may be turning the page, but around here the outdoors certainly isn’t closing the book. If anything, the weather, the fish and the upcoming deer season are giving us plenty more pages to read.
Gotta love the outdoors.
CALENDAR
Aug. 24: Adult Learn-to-Shoot-Archery, 6 p.m. start, West Falls Conservation Society, 55 Bridge St., West Falls. $5 fee/week, equipment provided (bows, arrows, targets). Register with Mike Cummins, 716-655-5030.
Aug. 26: 3-D Archery, Evans Rod & Gun Club, 4 p.m. start, $10 fee, 15 targets, free instruction 4-6 p.m.; Info, call Jerry Gorski, 716-698-3008.
Aug. 27: 3-D Archery & Spaghetti Dinner, 4-7 p.m., members $5, nonmembers $8, dinner $8; West Falls Conservation Society, 55 Bridge St., West Falls; Info: 716-652-4650.
Aug. 27: 3-D Archery, 20 targets Bear Lake Rod & Gun Club, 4 p.m. start, $10 fee, open to public, 4391 Stockton-Cassadaga Road, Stockton; 716-397-9717.
Aug. 28-30: NYS Conservation Council, Fall Conference, Hancock House/Catskills Fly Fishing Museum, visit: www.nyscc.com.
Aug. 29: NYSDEC Hunter Ed Course, Springville Field & Stream, 8900 Chaise Road, Springville, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., event is full.