Virginia’s Ryan Lachniet has taken the lead on Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River presented by SEVIIN with a total of 26 pounds, 5 ounces.
Photo by Andy Crawford/B.A.S.S.
July 31, 2025
River giant anchors Lachniet’s Bassmaster Open lead at the St. Lawrence River
WADDINGTON, N.Y. — Ryan Lachniet might have added a few grey hairs to his otherwise dark brown beard, but after enduring the stress storm that a 7-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth unleashed, the Gum Spring, Va., pro leads Day 1 of the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River presented by SEVIIN.
Sacking up an opening limit of 26-5, Lachniet leads South Carolina’s Kyle Austin by a pound and 2 ounces.
“When I got that (big fish) next to the boat, after fighting him for a couple of minutes, I tried to scoop him and he slipped out of my hand,” Lachniet recalled. “I was like, ‘No, no, no, no, come back.
“He swam down and fought for another 30 seconds and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh, please don’t get off.’ When I grabbed him, I was like, ‘Wow, this thing is huge!’ It was a great day.”
Lachniet’s whopper smallie — his personal best — was particularly notable, given that the event’s tournament boundaries limit anglers to the river. Typically, St. Lawrence events that include Lake Ontario find the real studs coming from the easternmost of the Great Lakes.
“I would have had a good day without (the big fish),” Lachniet said. “I threw back a 4 and some high 3s, but it wouldn’t have had a day anything like that. I’m just super thankful. The Lord really blessed me with that one.”
Bagging such a moose well within the river showcased the incredible St. Lawrence fishery, largely regarded as North America’s premier smallmouth destination. Lachniet tapped into one particular area that ended up outperforming his expectations.
Lachniet said his main area comprised a mix of rock and sand in 6 to 10 feet. Locating this area last year, he caught a 6 3/4-pounder about 200 feet from where he caught his 7-5.
“It was incredible; I pulled up on my first spot and I only caught two 4-pounders there in practice, but it just went down,” Lachniet said. “I had 25 pounds in an hour and a half and after I got that 7, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh.’”
Lachniet said he ran about 3/4 of the way to the tournament’s western boundary, near the mouth of Lake Ontario and worked his way back downriver. Conventional wisdom says smallmouth favor calm, sunny conditions, but Day 1’s windy, overcast complexion did not seem to bother Lachniet.
“Honestly, I think it helped me because a lot of those fish were hard to catch in practice,” he said. “For some reason, almost every one I threw at this morning bit. It was great for a couple hours; they were all biting.
“I caught them all on a Megabass Vision 110 +1 jerkbait. That’s a terrifying way to land big smallmouth. When I was fighting that big one for a couple of minutes, it was stressful. But I got him in, so it was ok.”
Noting that he’ll give his key area another look on Day 2, Lachniet said he’ll do so with level-headed expectations.
“I definitely can’t do 26-5 again tomorrow, but I’ll just pull up there and see how it goes,” he said. “I’m hoping I can get around 20 off that spot and then just work my way (back toward the tournament site) the rest of the day.”
Catching a limit that went 25-3, Austin heads into Day 2 in second place. Working a long way from home, the Santee Cooper guide attributes his success to fishing like he does back home.
“I fished a lot of isolated boulders in 25 to 30 feet,” Austin said. “To me, it’s a lot like fishing highland reservoirs at home, or Santee where you’re fishing isolated cypress trees or brushpiles. I feel like that’s in my wheelhouse. That’s what I’ve done for years, even before (forward facing sonar).”
Austin started on a shallow spot in 8 to 9 feet and caught two of his limit fish. After that, he headed to an area dotted with those isolated boulders.
“It’s one big area of about 100 acres with lots of boulders out on the flats,” Austin said. “My LiveScope went out at 11 o’clock and smallmouth fishing for us southern guys is hard without that ’Scope.
“I went back shallow and actually caught a 5-pounder that really helped a lot. I caught all my fish on a drop shot with a Strike King Half Shell.”
Progressive Bassmaster Elite Series pro Kyoya Fujita is in third place with 25 pounds. Making the long run to the tournament’s western boundary, Fujita did most of his work along a trio of main river breaks that dropped from 12 feet to 18.
Hailing from Yamanishi, Japan, Fujita caught his fish on a drop shot rigged with a Jackall Yammy Fish in green pumpkin. Although he caught plenty of numbers, Fujita said quality catches were few and far between.
“It was very tough,” Fujita said. “I caught many 2-pound and 3-pound fish, but only one five 5-pounder. I caught one big fish in the morning and four in the afternoon.”
Lachniet is in the lead for Phoenix Boats Big Bass honors with his 7-5.
Lachniet leads the St. Croix Bassmaster Opens presented by SEVIIN Division 1 points standings with 760. Lucas Lindsay of Auburn, Ala., is in second with 740, followed by Tyler Campbell of Martin, Ga., with 728, Matt Adams of Guntersville, Ala., with 719 and Russ Lane of Prattville, Ala., with 717.
Friday’s takeoff is scheduled for 6 a.m. ET at Whitaker Park. The weigh-in will be held at the park at 2 p.m.
This event is being hosted by the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce.
2025 St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River presented by SEVIIN 7/31-8/2
St. Lawrence River, Waddington, NY.
(BOATER) Standings Day 1
Angler Hometown No./lbs-oz Pts Total $$$
1. Ryan Lachniet Gum Spring, VA 5 26-05 200
Day 1: 5 26-05
2. Kyle Austin Ridgeville, SC 5 25-03 199
Day 1: 5 25-03
3. Kyoya Fujita Yamanashi CA JAPAN 5 25-00 198
Day 1: 5 25-00
4. Caleb Hudson Lincolnton, GA 5 24-13 197
Day 1: 5 24-13
4. Alec Morrison Peru, NY 5 24-13 197
Day 1: 5 24-13
6. Zach Goutremout Chaumont, NY 5 24-10 195
Day 1: 5 24-10
7. Cory Johnston Otonabee CANADA 5 24-07 194
Day 1: 5 24-07
8. Evan Kung Pickering Ontario CANAD 5 24-03 193
Day 1: 5 24-03
9. Cody Pike Powhatan, VA 5 24-01 192
Day 1: 5 24-01
10. Parker Guy Appling, GA 5 24-00 191
Day 1: 5 24-00
11. Michael Neal Dayton, TN 5 23-14 190
Day 1: 5 23-14
12. Tommy Wood Peregian Springs AUSTRA 5 23-09 189
Day 1: 5 23-09
13. Dante Piraino Baldwinsville, NY 5 23-05 188
Day 1: 5 23-05
14. River Lee Diboll, TX 5 23-01 187
Day 1: 5 23-01
15. John Hunter Jr Shelbyville, KY 5 23-00 186
Day 1: 5 23-00
16. Tommy Dickerson Orange, TX 5 22-13 185
Day 1: 5 22-13
17. Byron Hill Clermont, FL 5 22-11 184
Day 1: 5 22-11
18. Bo Thomas Edwardsburg, MI 5 22-10 183
Day 1: 5 22-10
19. Erik Brztowski Lemont, IL 5 22-08 182
Day 1: 5 22-08
20. Tyler Campbell Martin, GA 5 22-07 181
Day 1: 5 22-07
21. Russ Lane Prattville, AL 5 22-06 180
Day 1: 5 22-06
22. Brandon McMillan Clewiston, FL 5 22-05 179
Day 1: 5 22-05
22. Evan White Roanoke Rapids, NC 5 22-05 179
Day 1: 5 22-05
24. Dylan Fogarty Mechanicsburg, PA 5 22-05 177
Day 1: 5 22-05
25. Jacob Thompkins Myrtle Beach, SC 5 22-02 176
Day 1: 5 22-02
26. Adam Howell Embrun CANADA 5 22-01 175
Day 1: 5 22-01
26. Bryson Osteen Live Oak, FL 5 22-01 175
Day 1: 5 22-01
28. Ryan Salzman Huntsville, AL 5 21-13 173
Day 1: 5 21-13
29. Sam Hanggi Knoxville, TN 5 21-12 172
Day 1: 5 21-12
30. Casey Smith Victor, NY 5 21-11 171
Day 1: 5 21-11
31. Lucas Lindsay Auburn , AL 5 21-10 170
Day 1: 5 21-10
32. Cole Drummond Effingham, SC 5 21-07 169
Day 1: 5 21-07
32. Chad Pipkens Dewitt, MI 5 21-07 169
Day 1: 5 21-07
34. Chase Clarke Virginia Beach, VA 5 21-07 167
Day 1: 5 21-07
35. Bardia Kamali Toronto CANADA 5 20-14 166
Day 1: 5 20-14
36. Chris Kingree Inverness, FL 5 20-13 165
Day 1: 5 20-13
36. Erik Luzak Fenelon Falls CANADA 5 20-13 165
Day 1: 5 20-13
36. Aaron Yavorsky Palm Harbor, FL 5 20-13 165
Day 1: 5 20-13
39. Connor Bell Lisbon, NY 5 20-10 162
Day 1: 5 20-10
40. Brennan Berglund Zimmerman, MN 5 20-09 161
Day 1: 5 20-09
40. Grae Buck Green Lane, PA 5 20-09 161
Day 1: 5 20-09
42. Lucas Murphy West Columbia, MI 5 20-09 159
Day 1: 5 20-09
43. Colden Baker Ridgeway, SC 5 20-08 158
Day 1: 5 20-08
43. Darold Gleason Leesville, LA 5 20-08 158
Day 1: 5 20-08
45. Matt Adams Guntersville, AL 5 20-07 156
Day 1: 5 20-07
45. Jonathon VanDam Gobles, MI 5 20-07 156
Day 1: 5 20-07
47. Shayne Berlo Mclean, VA 5 20-06 154
Day 1: 5 20-06
48. Lance Owen Greer, SC 5 20-05 153
Day 1: 5 20-05
49. John Duvall Madison, GA 5 20-04 152
Day 1: 5 20-04
50. Laker Howell Guntersville, AL 5 20-03 151
Day 1: 5 20-03
51. Dylan Akins Flowery Branch, GA 5 20-03 150
Day 1: 5 20-03
52. Matt Kelly Cambridge Ontario CANAD 5 20-02 149
Day 1: 5 20-02
52. Trey Schroeder Theodosia, MO 5 20-02 149
Day 1: 5 20-02
54. Liam Blake East Syracuse, NY 5 20-01 147
Day 1: 5 20-01
55. Connor Jacob Peoria, IL 5 19-15 146
Day 1: 5 19-15
56. Jesse Hilliard Delhi CANADA 5 19-14 145
Day 1: 5 19-14
57. Bobby Bakewell Orlando, FL 5 19-11 144
Day 1: 5 19-11
58. Ryan Broughman Corapeake, NC 5 19-09 143
Day 1: 5 19-09
59. Hayden Gaddis Dandridge, TN 5 19-07 142
Day 1: 5 19-07
60. Colt Blanton Piketon, OH 5 19-05 141
Day 1: 5 19-05
60. Christian Nash Allons, TN 5 19-05 141
Day 1: 5 19-05
62. Cliff Crochet Pierre Part, LA 5 19-04 139
Day 1: 5 19-04
63. Charlie Hartley Grove City, OH 5 19-04 138
Day 1: 5 19-04
64. Billy Gilbert Hamburg, NY 5 19-01 137
Day 1: 5 19-01
65. James Chandler Liberty, TX 5 19-00 136
Day 1: 5 19-00
66. Tristan McCormick Bon Aqua, TN 5 18-14 135
Day 1: 5 18-14
66. Tanner Visco Antioch, IL 5 18-14 135
Day 1: 5 18-14
68. Colin Deridder Freeport, MI 5 18-12 133
Day 1: 5 18-12
68. Rich Ortiz Fort Ann, NY 5 18-12 133
Day 1: 5 18-12
70. Josh Gauthier Petawawa CANADA 5 18-10 131
Day 1: 5 18-10
70. Micheal Stout Gallatin, TN 5 18-10 131
Day 1: 5 18-10
72. Cass Terrance Akwewsane, NY 5 18-09 129
Day 1: 5 18-09
73. Eric Stecker Quakertown, PA 5 18-08 128
Day 1: 5 18-08
74. Trey Swindle Cleveland, AL 5 18-08 127
Day 1: 5 18-08
75. Cliff Prince Palatka, FL 5 18-07 126
Day 1: 5 18-07
76. Tyler Shawger Zanesville, OH 5 18-05 125
Day 1: 5 18-05
76. Mikey Weems Hull, TX 5 18-05 125
Day 1: 5 18-05
78. Jeremy Sadowski Voluntown, CT 5 18-05 123
Day 1: 5 18-05
79. Adam Rasmussen Sturgeon Bay, WI 5 18-04 122
Day 1: 5 18-04
80. Derrick Sadlowski Monaca, PA 5 18-04 121
Day 1: 5 18-04
81. Brett Hite Phoenix, AZ 5 18-02 120
Day 1: 5 18-02
82. Luke Plunkett Pinson, AL 5 18-02 119
Day 1: 5 18-02
83. Buddy Benson Dahlonega, GA 5 17-14 118
Day 1: 5 17-14
83. Yukihiro Sawamura Harker Heights, TX 5 17-14 118
Day 1: 5 17-14
85. Brandon Coulter Knoxville, TN 5 17-13 116
Day 1: 5 17-13
85. Logan Parks Auburn, AL 5 17-13 116
Day 1: 5 17-13
87. Chris Blanchette Edisto Island, SC 5 17-12 114
Day 1: 5 17-12
88. Tanner Hadden Appling, GA 5 17-11 113
Day 1: 5 17-11
89. Michael Spaulding Jr. Dundee, MI 5 17-08 112
Day 1: 5 17-08
90. Joshua Weaver Macon, GA 5 17-05 111
Day 1: 5 17-05
91. William Kronander Brownsville, PA 5 17-03 110
Day 1: 5 17-03
92. Brady Vernon Sterrett, AL 5 17-02 109
Day 1: 5 17-02
93. Kristine Fischer Spring City, TN 5 16-13 108
Day 1: 5 16-13
94. Mike McClelland Blue Eye, MO 5 16-12 107
Day 1: 5 16-12
94. Matt Messer Warfield, KY 5 16-12 107
Day 1: 5 16-12
96. Donavan Carson Bluff City, TN 5 16-11 105
Day 1: 5 16-11
97. Lucas Toliver Paw Paw, MI 5 16-10 104
Day 1: 5 16-10
97. Wyatt Wisian Ardmore, OK 5 16-10 104
Day 1: 5 16-10
99. Dillon Falardeau Hixson, TN 5 16-09 102
Day 1: 5 16-09
100. Byron Kenney Jr Monticello, GA 5 16-08 101
Day 1: 5 16-08
101. Tyler Conde Chepachet, RI 5 16-04 100
Day 1: 5 16-04
102. Cody Ross Livingston, TX 5 15-14 99
Day 1: 5 15-14
103. Brooks Anderson Marietta, GA 5 15-12 98
Day 1: 5 15-12
103. Freddy Palmer Estill Springs, TN 5 15-12 98
Day 1: 5 15-12
105. Troy Coney Owego, NY 5 15-11 96
Day 1: 5 15-11
106. Tyler Malone Chunchula, AL 5 15-05 95
Day 1: 5 15-05
107. Josh Bragg Fayetteville, GA 5 15-05 94
Day 1: 5 15-05
108. Phil Kroll Otego, NY 5 15-03 93
Day 1: 5 15-03
108. Dylan Welton Middleville, MI 5 15-03 93
Day 1: 5 15-03
110. Kyle Weisenburger Columbus Grv, OH 5 15-01 91
Day 1: 5 15-01
111. Brayden Rakes Winston Salem, NC 5 15-01 90
Day 1: 5 15-01
112. Kristian Johnson Belvidere, NJ 5 14-15 89
Day 1: 5 14-15
112. Tyler Lubbat Wheeling, IL 5 14-15 89
Day 1: 5 14-15
114. Stephen Browning Hot Springs, AR 5 14-10 87
Day 1: 5 14-10
114. Julius Mazy Phoenix, AZ 5 14-10 87
Day 1: 5 14-10
116. Cody Detweiler Guntersville, AL 5 14-09 85
Day 1: 5 14-09
117. Duke Nave Oxford, PA 5 14-08 84
Day 1: 5 14-08
118. Ryan Michl Newton, IL 5 13-14 83
Day 1: 5 13-14
119. Blaine Bunney Claremore, OK 5 13-09 82
Day 1: 5 13-09
120. Woo Daves Spring Grove, VA 5 13-05 81
Day 1: 5 13-05
121. Alex Wetherell Middletown, CT 5 13-04 80
Day 1: 5 13-04
122. Tommy Dunaway Havana, FL 5 13-00 79
Day 1: 5 13-00
123. Nick Mandes North Stonington, CT 5 12-15 78
Day 1: 5 12-15
124. Johnathan Crossland Chapin, SC 5 12-11 77
Day 1: 5 12-11
125. Parker Mott Winter Garden, FL 5 12-10 76
Day 1: 5 12-10
126. Cody Stahl Barnsville, GA 5 12-03 75
Day 1: 5 12-03
127. Clint Leonard Jr Saint Cloud, FL 5 12-02 74
Day 1: 5 12-02
128. Easton Lindus Woodville, WI 5 11-14 73
Day 1: 5 11-14
129. Hunter Eubanks Landrum , SC 5 11-08 72
Day 1: 5 11-08
130. Rick Greene Ocala, FL 4 11-03 71
Day 1: 4 11-03
131. Anastasia Patterson Sumter, SC 5 10-10 70
Day 1: 5 10-10
132. Chris Lighthizer Zanesville, OH 5 10-01 69
Day 1: 5 10-01
133. Mark Guhne Hixson, TN 5 09-14 68
Day 1: 5 09-14
134. Chris McCarthy Woonsocket, RI 5 09-01 67
Day 1: 5 09-01
135. Anthony Garcia Los Angeles, CA 4 09-00 66
Day 1: 4 09-00
136. Dave Miller Stratford, CT 5 07-00 65
Day 1: 5 07-00
137. Paul Bouvier Kingston CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Jason Carpenter Castle Pines, CO 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Kyle Healey Almonte CANADA 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Teb Jones Yalaha, MS 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. TJ McKenzie Georgetown, SC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Mike Penney Cameron, NC 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. John Pollard Eclectic, AL 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Angel Rosario Kalamazoo, MI 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
137. Manny Sciberras Liberty Twp, OH 0 00-00 0
Day 1: 0 00-00
———————————————————————–
Totals
Day #Limits #Fish Weight
1 134 678 2508-11
———————————-
134 678 2508-11