Top lures at Kentucky Lake Open 2026

Kentucky Lake is coming back in a big way. While it’s still not where it was in its prime, weights continue to increase, as well as the number of keepers caught. This summer transition tournament saw strategies from shallow to deep, providing solid finishes.

Clint Knight came from behind by staying very consistent with bags of 21-8, 20-15 and 19-11 to beat out Tristan McCormick by just over a pound.

Right now, fish are doing a little bit of everything across the country. Gear up on everything you need, and even the baits used at the Kentucky Lake Open. Visit Basspro.com to find these lures, terminal tackle and more.

Zane Parker (10th, 49-5)

Parker relied on two primary presentations for a Top 10 finish at Kentucky Lake.

The first was an urchin-style bait paired on a 6th Sense Lux 7-foot, 2-inch MH rod.

His second offering consisted of a black 6th Sense Glitch rigged on a drop-shot rig.

Riley Nielsen (9th, 51-14)

Nielsen rotated two key baits to lead after Day 1 and lock up a solid Top 10 on a rainy Kentucky Lake.

A dark colored sea urchin-style bait on a spinning rod was one tactic.

A Megabass Vision 110+1 also provided some key bites. Nielsen paired the jerkbait with 8-pound line to get the bait as deep as possible.

Matt Robertson (8th, 51-15)

Robertson primarily relied on two baits to lock up eighth on his home waters. He did a bunch of his damage in Lake Barkley on these baits and flipping bushes up shallow.

The new Berkley Maxscent Meaba was a top choice for Robertson.

He also rolled a Berkley Power Swimmer with a 3/4-ounce jighead.

Jack York (7th, 53-9)

York focused on fishing large presentations for offshore schools out on Kentucky Lake’s many ledges and hard spots.

For reaction bites, York used a 6th Sense 300 DD crankbait in Blue-Treuse Shad color.

A 6th Sense Flutter Spoon was also a key bait.

For a slower presentation, York used a 7-inch 6th Sense Shindo on a ball-head jig.

Jace Lindsay (6th, 54-8)

A jerkbait and minnow combo did all the damage for Lindsay.

He caught the majority of his fish on a 5.25-inch Rapala Crush City Freeloader.

When a fish wouldn’t commit to the minnow, Lindsay picked up a Megabass 110+2 in Elegy Bone color.

Look for all the Top 10’s lures on Basspro.com

Garrett Paquette (5th, 55-11)

Former Elite Series angler Garrett Paquette focused on two presentations to round out the top five.

His main bait was a 17mm Hideup Coike rigged on a #2 Gamataksu Magic Eye treble hook and a 1/8-ounce nail weight. He threw it primarily around brushpiles and creek ledges.

His other option was the Big Bite Baits 5-inch Rollerama in GPAC Money, his signature color. He rigged the Rollerama on a 1/16-ounce Gamakatsu Horizon Head. He would pick up the minnow when he saw a brushpile or stump with fry around it. He would get bit when he shook the minnow super hard through the fry.

Cole McAusland (4th, 56-5)

McAusland focused on three large presentations to entice some big bites.

The first one was the 6-inch Yamamoto Hinge Minnow on a 1/8-ounce Treeshaker Tackle Dream Stroller.

Next was a Hags Prickly Pear on a 1/0 BKK Spear 21 Treble Hook.

For a large presentation, McAusland used a Clutch Baby Boss glidebait.

Trey Schroeder (3rd, 57-12)

Schroeder focused on a couple of offshore schools to clinch a third-place finish.

For his minnow setup, Schroeder used a Tacklemax minnow, which he helped design and that will be released soon. He also rotated a 7-inch Sakamata Shad.

He also triggered strikes with a Tacklemax Football Jig with a twin-tail trailer on the back.

Tristan McCormick (2nd, 60-15)

Kentucky Lake local Tristan McCormick rotated a plethora of baits as he ran many offshore spots. He had several Strike King 6XD and 8XD crankbaits rigged and ready.

When fishing wood, he caught many key fish on a 17mm Hideup Coike.

If they didn’t want the Coike, McCormick would follow up with a brand new Strike King Winged Minnow in the 7-inch size that he and Todd Castledine designed.