Lake Erie/Niagara River • Buffalo, N.Y.

To call Lake Erie "big water" would be a major understatement. Covering nearly 10,000 square miles, Erie is far and away the largest body of water on the Elite Series schedule for 2008. It's not only one of the Great Lakes, it's also one of the great bass lakes in the world, especially if you're a fan of smallmouth bass. BASS was at Erie in the fall of 2006 when Joe Balog fooled 41 pounds of smallmouth to win the Northern Tour event out of Sandusky, Ohio. The 2008 Empire Chase, July 31-August 3, will be fished out of Buffalo, N.Y., where the Niagara River flows out of Erie, adding another top fishery to the available waters for the Elite Series pros. In 2006, soft plastic goby imitations fished on drop shot rigs near deep water reefs were the key to victory. It's a good bet that offshore tactics and soft plastics will be popular again in 2008, but so will shallow- and deep-diving crankbaits and possibly even spinnerbaits.

 

"Be on the lake when its all on the line" - Bassmaster Elite Series Empire Chase returns to Buffalo this summer. 110 of the worlds top anglers compete for over $650,000 in prizes. Daily Weigh-Ins start at 5pm. Weekend family activities include Meet the Anglers, Bassmaster University, Fishing Tips, and much more. All events are free to the public.

 

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Bass Lake, Sat./Sun., 2-4:30 p.m. Future Fisherman Foundation weigh-in on Sat., 2:15 p.m. Berkley Beginner Fishing Class Sat., 3:15 p.m. Free Berkley rods and reels for kids! Boat Performance with Skeeter, Sat., 3:45 p.m. Bassmaster University's "Ask the Experts" hosted by Lurch and presented by Time Warner Cable Sat., 4:15 p.m. Live taping of Hooked-Up (an ESPNOutdoors.com live, online show) on Sunday, 4:30 p.m. Toyota Tundra Job Site & Casting Challenge Toyota Prove It Tour Purolator Big Bass Fan $1,000 giveaway Live music by AQUEOUS Sun., 2:30 p.m. Register to win a free pair of Costa Del Mar sunglasses New York DNR booth Advance Auto Parts truck display Lowrance product demos State Farm's 40-foot emergency response trailer Daily launches. Come out early to see the official launch activities. Daily weigh-ins. What's in your lake? See what the pros are pulling from your lake as they compete for $100,000. Lowrance product demos Official BASS Merchandise available Live video & online coverage

Note: All events are free and open to the public

View Updated Event Information on ESPN