5 favorites with Chris Johnston

Bringing an impressive resume to the big stage of Bassmaster Elite Series competition, Chris Johnston owns the distinction of being the first Canadian angler to win a blue trophy. An accomplished smallmouth angler who won in 2020 on the St. Lawrence River, Johnston has also proven his green fish skills.
Bringing an impressive resume to the big stage of Bassmaster Elite Series competition, Chris Johnston owns the distinction of being the first Canadian angler to win a blue trophy. An accomplished smallmouth angler who won in 2020 on the St. Lawrence River, Johnston has also proven his green fish skills.
He’s earned Top 10 finishes on largemouth-dominated fisheries, including at Lake Ray Roberts in Texas, site of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Lake Guntersville, Lake Fork, the Sabine River and the St. Johns River also produced Top 10s for the Canadian. Find out what five lures the pro favors during different times of the year.
He’s earned Top 10 finishes on largemouth-dominated fisheries, including at Lake Ray Roberts in Texas, site of the 2021 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. Lake Guntersville, Lake Fork, the Sabine River and the St. Johns River also produced Top 10s for the Canadian. Find out what five lures the pro favors during different times of the year.
<b>1)</b> Johnston calls on the Spro Aruku Shad 65 in the cold water scenarios of early spring, where he’ll often fish the red craw color around grass. In Florida, he’ll also use a shad color and extend his use into the postspawn.
1) Johnston calls on the Spro Aruku Shad 65 in the cold water scenarios of early spring, where he’ll often fish the red craw color around grass. In Florida, he’ll also use a shad color and extend his use into the postspawn.
The key to effective presentations, Johnston said, is the slowest presentation possible; just enough to get the bait though the grass. Over hard spots, he’ll let the bait fall and then yo-yo it through the strike zone.
The key to effective presentations, Johnston said, is the slowest presentation possible; just enough to get the bait though the grass. Over hard spots, he’ll let the bait fall and then yo-yo it through the strike zone.
<b>2)</b> Calling the Spro Rock Crawler a good crankbait for prespawn and postspawn fish, Johnston has found this bait effective on largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
2) Calling the Spro Rock Crawler a good crankbait for prespawn and postspawn fish, Johnston has found this bait effective on largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass.
Favoring the Rock Crawler’s hunting action, Johnston will throw this bait over anything from pebbles to chunk rock to riprap where that intentional digging action gets the attention.
Favoring the Rock Crawler’s hunting action, Johnston will throw this bait over anything from pebbles to chunk rock to riprap where that intentional digging action gets the attention.
<b>3)</b> When largemouth or smallmouth are staging for their prespawn, one of Johnston’s favorite technique is jerkbaiting points, secondary points and bluff walls with a Spro McStick.
3) When largemouth or smallmouth are staging for their prespawn, one of Johnston’s favorite technique is jerkbaiting points, secondary points and bluff walls with a Spro McStick.
In northern lakes, the McStick is more of a year-round option for smallmouth. Irregularities are Johnston’s targets. Prime areas are a hard bottom flat with occasional weed clumps or a rock/sand transition.
In northern lakes, the McStick is more of a year-round option for smallmouth. Irregularities are Johnston’s targets. Prime areas are a hard bottom flat with occasional weed clumps or a rock/sand transition.
<b>4)</b> When he’s targeting shallow hard spots in 10 feet or less and needs to cover lots of water, Johnston picks up the Spro Little John Baby DD.
4) When he’s targeting shallow hard spots in 10 feet or less and needs to cover lots of water, Johnston picks up the Spro Little John Baby DD.
While his standard line choice for the Little John Baby DD is 12-pound fluorocarbon, Johnston upsizes to 15 pound when he moves shallow. That keeps the bait higher in the water and prevents it from digging into any vegetation. Also, the heavier line allows him to better rip the bait out of any snags that occur.
While his standard line choice for the Little John Baby DD is 12-pound fluorocarbon, Johnston upsizes to 15 pound when he moves shallow. That keeps the bait higher in the water and prevents it from digging into any vegetation. Also, the heavier line allows him to better rip the bait out of any snags that occur.
<b>5)</b> When fall finds the fish chasing shad over cane piles, brushpiles and the like, Johnston infiltrates the feeding activity by slinging a Spro Fat Papa Walker 130. Prior to that, he’ll give this bait a good workout on Lake Champlain, where he’ll target smallmouth over rock reefs.
5) When fall finds the fish chasing shad over cane piles, brushpiles and the like, Johnston infiltrates the feeding activity by slinging a Spro Fat Papa Walker 130. Prior to that, he’ll give this bait a good workout on Lake Champlain, where he’ll target smallmouth over rock reefs.
Johnston said he likes the bait’s ability to walk enticingly but also spit water with a popping action. The Fat Papa Walker has plenty of weight for bombing it to distant fish, while the feathered rear treble adds a touch of aft appeal that often convinces a looker.
Johnston said he likes the bait’s ability to walk enticingly but also spit water with a popping action. The Fat Papa Walker has plenty of weight for bombing it to distant fish, while the feathered rear treble adds a touch of aft appeal that often convinces a looker.