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Elite: Best of top lures 2018

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From topwaters to drop shots and crankbaits to spinnerbaits. All were in the tackleboxes of the top finishers at the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series. Check out the patterns and choices made by the winners this season.
From topwaters to drop shots and crankbaits to spinnerbaits. All were in the tackleboxes of the top finishers at the 2018 Bassmaster Elite Series. Check out the patterns and choices made by the winners this season.
<b>Lake Martin</b><br> Periodic rains with warm water runoff inundated the central Alabama impoundment to create ideal conditions for a prespawn largemouth bite.
Lake Martin
Periodic rains with warm water runoff inundated the central Alabama impoundment to create ideal conditions for a prespawn largemouth bite.
Takahiro Omori used a Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill 1.5 crankbait, TO Craw pattern. The lure chosen by the winner was ideal for the shallow, dingy water conditions during the February competition.
Takahiro Omori used a Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill 1.5 crankbait, TO Craw pattern. The lure chosen by the winner was ideal for the shallow, dingy water conditions during the February competition.
<b>Lake Hartwell</b><br> Prespawn conditions prevailed in March during the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Jordan Lee intercepted bass staging along boat docks.
Lake Hartwell
Prespawn conditions prevailed in March during the GEICO Bassmaster Classic presented by DICK’S Sporting Goods. Jordan Lee intercepted bass staging along boat docks.
The Classic champion used a Strike King Rage Swimmer, rigged to 1/4-ounce Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head Jig. A 5-inch Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho, rigged wacky style on a No. 2 VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook and a jerkbait were other choices.
The Classic champion used a Strike King Rage Swimmer, rigged to 1/4-ounce Owner Ultrahead Finesse Ball Head Jig. A 5-inch Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho, rigged wacky style on a No. 2 VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook and a jerkbait were other choices.
<b>Grand Lake</b><br> A full moon, warming water and largemouth ready to spawn on Grand Lake. It all added up to a perfect storm of bass fishing for the April tournament.
Grand Lake
A full moon, warming water and largemouth ready to spawn on Grand Lake. It all added up to a perfect storm of bass fishing for the April tournament.
A 1/2-ounce Strike King Denny Brauer Structure Jig and 4-inch Strike King Rage Twin Tail Menace Grub was a top choice for winner Kevin VanDam.
A 1/2-ounce Strike King Denny Brauer Structure Jig and 4-inch Strike King Rage Twin Tail Menace Grub was a top choice for winner Kevin VanDam.
So was a 1.5 Strike King KVD HC Shallow Squarebill Crankbait, Brown Craw.
So was a 1.5 Strike King KVD HC Shallow Squarebill Crankbait, Brown Craw.
<b>Kentucky Lake</b><br> Prespawn, spawn, postspawn and even shad spawn. All were in play during the May tournament.
Kentucky Lake
Prespawn, spawn, postspawn and even shad spawn. All were in play during the May tournament.
Wesley Strader primarily relied on a PH Customer Lures Crankbait and spinnerbait. He also used a 5/8-ounce Wesley Strader Signature Series Bango Blade made by Stan Sloan’s Zorro Baits.
Wesley Strader primarily relied on a PH Customer Lures Crankbait and spinnerbait. He also used a 5/8-ounce Wesley Strader Signature Series Bango Blade made by Stan Sloan’s Zorro Baits.
<b>Lake Travis</b><br> One hundred bass days. Largemouth caught from inches of water to 40 feet deep. It was all in play on Lake Travis during the May tournament.
Lake Travis
One hundred bass days. Largemouth caught from inches of water to 40 feet deep. It was all in play on Lake Travis during the May tournament.
Drew Benton relied on a Bagley Knocker B that produces a seductive walk and rhythmic tonal footprint that is designed for making long casts.
Drew Benton relied on a Bagley Knocker B that produces a seductive walk and rhythmic tonal footprint that is designed for making long casts.
The bait was a versatile producer, luring close-range bass from beneath floating docks to largemouth hiding behind shoreline boulders.
The bait was a versatile producer, luring close-range bass from beneath floating docks to largemouth hiding behind shoreline boulders.
<b>Sabine River</b><br> A topwater frog and buzzbait were key lures used by Greg Hackney in the June event. A Strike King Hack Attack Select ToadBuzz was top choice.
Sabine River
A topwater frog and buzzbait were key lures used by Greg Hackney in the June event. A Strike King Hack Attack Select ToadBuzz was top choice.
“The frog made it more buoyant and I could fish it slower, barely turning the reel handle to keep the bait on top,” he explained. For short strikers he added a trailer hook. A Strike King KVD Sexy Frog was another choice.
“The frog made it more buoyant and I could fish it slower, barely turning the reel handle to keep the bait on top,” he explained. For short strikers he added a trailer hook. A Strike King KVD Sexy Frog was another choice.
<b>Mississippi River</b><br> Ish Monroe earned a fifth B.A.S.S. career title using what is undeniably his favorite lure and technique, a topwater frog. The other top finishers followed suit during the June tournament.
Mississippi River
Ish Monroe earned a fifth B.A.S.S. career title using what is undeniably his favorite lure and technique, a topwater frog. The other top finishers followed suit during the June tournament.
Monroe did battle using a weapon that he uses best. The choice was a 2.75-inch River2Sea Ish Monroe Phat Matt Daddy Frog.
Monroe did battle using a weapon that he uses best. The choice was a 2.75-inch River2Sea Ish Monroe Phat Matt Daddy Frog.
<b>Lake Oahe </b><br> To score the win during June, Mark Daniels Jr. used a drop shot and Ned Rig.
Lake Oahe
To score the win during June, Mark Daniels Jr. used a drop shot and Ned Rig.
To make it he used a 4-inch Z-Man Finesse T.R.D. stickbait on matching 1/5-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ jighead.
To make it he used a 4-inch Z-Man Finesse T.R.D. stickbait on matching 1/5-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ jighead.
For the drop shot he used a 4-inch Z-Man Finesse WormZ, No. 1 Owner Cover Drop Shot Worm Hook, and 3/8-ounce tungsten weight.
For the drop shot he used a 4-inch Z-Man Finesse WormZ, No. 1 Owner Cover Drop Shot Worm Hook, and 3/8-ounce tungsten weight.
<b>St. Lawrence River</b><br> The St. Lawrence River showed out like never before during August. In three days there were 107 bags weighing at least 20 pounds. Nearly 2 1/2 tons of bass came across the scales.
St. Lawrence River
The St. Lawrence River showed out like never before during August. In three days there were 107 bags weighing at least 20 pounds. Nearly 2 1/2 tons of bass came across the scales.
Josh Bertrand made a drop shot with the new 4-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm. Alternatively, the winner used a 3-inch Gulp! Minnow. For both baits he used No. 1 Berkley Fusion19 Drop Shot Hooks, with a 3/8-ounce weight.
Josh Bertrand made a drop shot with the new 4-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm. Alternatively, the winner used a 3-inch Gulp! Minnow. For both baits he used No. 1 Berkley Fusion19 Drop Shot Hooks, with a 3/8-ounce weight.
<b>Lake Chatuge</b><br> Hunting big largemouth on the shoreline or going offshore chasing spotted bass gorging on blueback herring. At Lake Chatgue those strategies were in play during September.
Lake Chatuge
Hunting big largemouth on the shoreline or going offshore chasing spotted bass gorging on blueback herring. At Lake Chatgue those strategies were in play during September.
James Elam rotated through a soft plastic fluke, topwater walker, classic minnow bait, spoon and jerkbait. The winning lures were a Molix Jugalo Jerk, Molix Michael Iaconelli Lover Spoon, vintage Cotton Cordell Red Fin, and IMA Little Stik 135 Walking Bait.
James Elam rotated through a soft plastic fluke, topwater walker, classic minnow bait, spoon and jerkbait. The winning lures were a Molix Jugalo Jerk, Molix Michael Iaconelli Lover Spoon, vintage Cotton Cordell Red Fin, and IMA Little Stik 135 Walking Bait.

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