Steve Kennedy is a lure tinkerer by trade, sort of. The Alabama pro channels his professional engineering background into modifying lures. Sometimes even without the hooks. Here’s what he told me this morning when interviewed for the top lures gallery.
“In practice almost exclusively, I threw a G-Ratt Baits Sneaky Pete with the hooks removed. I caught a four-pounder on my first cast and put it away, thinking I’d use it during the tournament.”
The glide bait failed to produce fish early on during the tournament. Not to be outdone, Kennedy engineered a workaround while retaining the high potential of his area to produce during the week.
He switched to a 4.8 Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait, and using a needle, threaded the line through the body and added an inline 2/0 Gamakatsu Treble Hook. For missed fish he followed up with a 1/8-ounce marabou hair jig.
What made this all a good move is that Kennedy was able to fish his same area—this time with hooked lures—and make it to Championship Sunday.