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A look at the 2012 Classic baits

Pros in the 42nd Bassmaster Classic used a wide array of baits and techniques.

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<p> Pros in the 42nd Bassmaster Classic used a wide array of baits and techniques. Winner Chris Lane used a Gambler Ugly Otter creature bait, while Aaron Martens finessed with a drop shot and Ott DeFoe used a classic Rapala Shad Rap crankbait. However, soft plastics dominated. Here are the top baits used by Classic competitors, as well as a few others.</p>
Pros in the 42nd Bassmaster Classic used a wide array of baits and techniques. Winner Chris Lane used a Gambler Ugly Otter creature bait, while Aaron Martens finessed with a drop shot and Ott DeFoe used a classic Rapala Shad Rap crankbait. However, soft plastics dominated. Here are the top baits used by Classic competitors, as well as a few others.
<p> Chris Lane Texas rigged a Gambler Ugly Otter and worked it through scattered weeds in shallow water. He also used a Luck “E” Strike G4 tube.</p>
Chris Lane Texas rigged a Gambler Ugly Otter and worked it through scattered weeds in shallow water. He also used a Luck “E” Strike G4 tube.
<p> Greg Vinson (2nd) targeted bass in lily pad stems with a 5/16-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait. He also used a NetBait Salt Lick, a soft stickbait.</p>
Greg Vinson (2nd) targeted bass in lily pad stems with a 5/16-ounce War Eagle spinnerbait. He also used a NetBait Salt Lick, a soft stickbait.
<p> Keith Poche (3rd) used one of two stickbaits: a Gary Yamamoto Senko  with a spinner crammed in the rear (shown) or a NetBait Salt Lick.</p>
Keith Poche (3rd) used one of two stickbaits: a Gary Yamamoto Senko  with a spinner crammed in the rear (shown) or a NetBait Salt Lick.
<p> Alton Jones (4th) used a Yum Vibra King tube and a Yum Dinger.</p>
Alton Jones (4th) used a Yum Vibra King tube and a Yum Dinger.
<p> Ott DeFoe (5th) used three baits during the Classic. He threw a custom-painted Shad Rap when the wind blew…</p>
Ott DeFoe (5th) used three baits during the Classic. He threw a custom-painted Shad Rap when the wind blew…
<p> ...a Rapala X-Rap when it was calm...</p>
…a Rapala X-Rap when it was calm…
<p> ...and a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss when he flipped into vegetation. Note the teeth marks on this one; it’s one that actually caught fish in the Classic for him.</p>
…and a Berkley Havoc Pit Boss when he flipped into vegetation. Note the teeth marks on this one; it’s one that actually caught fish in the Classic for him.
<p> Tim Horton (6th) caught every fish he weighed except for a couple on a black and brown Booyah spinnerbait.</p>
Tim Horton (6th) caught every fish he weighed except for a couple on a black and brown Booyah spinnerbait.
<p> Horton used Duckett Fishing Micro Magic rods and Lew’s reels all week.</p>
Horton used Duckett Fishing Micro Magic rods and Lew’s reels all week.
<p> Dustin Wilks (7th) caught most of his fish on a crankbait that a friend made. He used Daiwa Steez rods and reels.</p>
Dustin Wilks (7th) caught most of his fish on a crankbait that a friend made. He used Daiwa Steez rods and reels.
<p> Wilks was protective of the bait’s bill angle as well as other details. He would only divulge that it was a shallow-runner, and that only six exist.</p>
Wilks was protective of the bait’s bill angle as well as other details. He would only divulge that it was a shallow-runner, and that only six exist.
<p> Bill Lowen (10th) used a trio of baits in the Classic, including this Tight Lines UV Tackle Tube.</p>
Bill Lowen (10th) used a trio of baits in the Classic, including this Tight Lines UV Tackle Tube.
<p> Lowen also threw a Lake Fork Trophy Lures Ring Fry...</p>
Lowen also threw a Lake Fork Trophy Lures Ring Fry…
<p> ...and an Ima Square Bill squarebill crankbait that he designed.</p>
…and an Ima Square Bill squarebill crankbait that he designed.
<p> Aaron Martens (12th) was one of few anglers who used spinning gear in this event. He used Megabass rods and reels.</p>
Aaron Martens (12th) was one of few anglers who used spinning gear in this event. He used Megabass rods and reels.
<p> A Roboworm was his go-to lure fished on a drop shot rig.</p>
A Roboworm was his go-to lure fished on a drop shot rig.

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