Here is my two cents. I grew up in up-state NY fishing Lake George, and Champlain, as well as the Hudson River all for smallies. That was my dads fish of choice as well. The numbers are better in the north without a doubt. There are some 5# plus fish thrown in, but not like we have down here by no means. The average fish on dale would be in the 3.5 to 4.0 range. This is not the case in the north. But, 30 to 40 fish days happen often. That is a lot of fun also.
As far as the tourneys go, yes there are some amazing bags of smallies weighed in on Erie. But, they are also 5 fish limits. Put those same anglers on dale with a 5 fish limit and see what happens.
I think you will be surprised.
Keith