As Usual, Diversity Rules At La Crosse

MLF Communications

A field of 36 anglers have converged on the La Crosse, Wis., area for the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship this week. Many have been here before. Only one will leave with a trophy and the $100,000 payday.

The three-day tournament gets under way Friday and will showcase Pools 7, 8 and 9 as is typical of major tournaments that originate in La Crosse.

As is the often the case, one pool turns out to be the hot spot for the week, though events don’t always get won in whichever pool is the most popular. The last few years, Pool 7 has been very good, but Pool 8 still produces a lot of checks and wins, in part due to the increased fishing time anglers gain by not needing to utilize the locks.

Steve Lopez of Oconomowoc, Wis., finished runner-up at the last Tackle Warehouse Invitational event in La Crosse in 2023, and he’s a fair bet to do well again this time around.

“The fishing has been pretty phenomenal this year,” Lopez said. “They had some good spawns or really good bait – the weights have been really high. I don’t expect it to slow down anytime soon. I think it’s only going to get better as we get into September as well.”

Lopez relishes the chance to fish a big event in his home state, and he loves everything about river fishing.

“I look forward to current and grass, and the northern strain of bass just bite a little bit different – they bite a little bit harder,” he said. “My favorite part about that river is that anything can win. Like, Jimmy (Washam) won there with a Neko rig. (Matt) Stefan won with a wacky rig. Bobby (Lane) almost won flipping. Mike Brueggen always does well with a frog. I just think there’s so much diversity in that body of water that makes it truly one of the best tournament bodies of water we go to. And now you add in September with topwater – it’s going to be phenomenal TV.”

Water temperature and levels will be key next week. Lower water can pull fish out of the shoreline cover and vegetation, making them more accessible on sand drops and wing dams. Cooler weather could trigger a transition in what the fish feed on.

“They will start transitioning to shad,” Lopez said. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen or not, but there’s definitely going be a big transition to the shad coming up here soon. September and October are typically when it happens.”

With big money and advancement opportunities on the line, this event has drama built in. Add in locks, explosive topwater bites and an incredible fishery and the ingredients are there for a very exciting season finale on the Mississippi River.

Details

> Launch: 7 a.m. CT (Veterans Freedom Park, 1 Clinton St., La Crosse, Wis.)

> Weigh-ins: 3 p.m. CT (Same location)

> Format: Full field (36 anglers) will compete days 1 and 2 under a five-fish, weigh-in style. Top 10 based on two-day cumulative weight will advance to day 3. Champion will be determined by highest three-day cumulative weight. Forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is limited to days 1 and 3 of competition. No forward-facing and/or 360-degree sonar is allowed on day 2 of competition.

> On the line: Grand prize up to $135,000 and berth in 2026 REDCREST

> Who's in?: Here's a rundown of who's competing in La Crosse this week:

> Banks Shaw – Harrison, Tenn.
> Mitchell Robinson – Landrum, S.C.
> Jacob Walker – Springville, Ala.
> Bobby Lane – Lakeland, Fla.
> Dustin Smith – Trussville, Ala.
> Brody Campbell – Oxford, Ohio
> Colby Miller – Elmer, La.
> Keith Poche – Pike Road, Ala.
> Lane Olson – Forest Grove, Ore.
> Kyle Cortiana – Broken Arrow, Okla.
> Ethan Greene – Eufaula, Ala.
> Chad Mrazek – Montgomery, Texas
> Ken Thompson – Roaring Springs, Pa.
> Blake Hall – Rogersville, Ala.
> Cal Lane – Grant, Ala.
> Joseph Webster – Hamilton, Ala.
> Levi Thibodaux – Thibodeaux, La.
> Chris Lane – Guntersville, Ala.
> Jordan Wiggins – Cullman, Ala.
> Hayden Marbut – Grant, Ala.
> Keith Carson – DeBary, Fla.
> Britt Myers Jr – Clover, S.C.
> Andrew Nordbye – Guntersville, Ala.
> Brian Latimer – Belton, S.C.
> Jon Canada – Helena, Ala.
> Alex Bradley – Wellford, S.C.
> Brett Carnright – Plattsburgh, N.Y.
> Terry Fisher – Decatur, Ala.
> Jimmy Washam – Stantonville, Texas
> Matt Reed – Madisonville, Texas
> Robby Lefere – Jackson, Mich.
> Christian Greico – New Bern, N.C.
> Jack Daniel Williams – Kingsport, Tenn.
> Thomas Wooten – Huddleston, Va.
> Steve Lopez – Oconomowoc, Wis.
> Alex Davis – Albertville, Ala.

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