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Top lures at Lake Norman

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Lake Norman presented the competition with two options at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open. You could target largemouth in the shallows, most of them congregated around the shade of docks, or target spotted bass in deeper water. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Lake Norman presented the competition with two options at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open. You could target largemouth in the shallows, most of them congregated around the shade of docks, or target spotted bass in deeper water.
All captions: Craig Lamb
Cody Hoyle did what he does best. A skilled local tournament angler, the North Carolinian fished more than 100 docks during the three days to win the event with 40 pounds, 4 ounces. See the lures used by the winner and top finishers, and get geared up for the fall transition with their choices.
Cody Hoyle did what he does best. A skilled local tournament angler, the North Carolinian fished more than 100 docks during the three days to win the event with 40 pounds, 4 ounces. See the lures used by the winner and top finishers, and get geared up for the fall transition with their choices.
<b>Shane Lineberger (10th; 26-4) </b><br> Shane Lineberger relied on local knowledge of Lake Norman and a lineup of proven baits on the fishery.
Shane Lineberger (10th; 26-4)
Shane Lineberger relied on local knowledge of Lake Norman and a lineup of proven baits on the fishery.
He used a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flipping Jig, rigged with a Zoom Big Salty Chunk trailer.
He used a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flipping Jig, rigged with a Zoom Big Salty Chunk trailer.
A 1/4-ounce Dirty Jigs Swimbait Head, rigged with a Gajo Swim Shad was another top choice.
A 1/4-ounce Dirty Jigs Swimbait Head, rigged with a Gajo Swim Shad was another top choice.
Lineberger also used a handmade Brian’s Bees B1 Prop Bait, available from Brian’s Crankbaits.
Lineberger also used a handmade Brian’s Bees B1 Prop Bait, available from Brian’s Crankbaits.
<b>Charlie Hartley (9th; 31-1) </b><br> When in the Carolinas, you must try a Carolina rig. And that old school approach produced well for Charlie Hartley.
Charlie Hartley (9th; 31-1)
When in the Carolinas, you must try a Carolina rig. And that old school approach produced well for Charlie Hartley.
He made the rig with a 6-inch Zoom Lizard, rigged on a 4/0 Owner All Purpose Worm Hook, with a 1/2-ounce cylinder weight. He used an 18- to 22-inch leader.
He made the rig with a 6-inch Zoom Lizard, rigged on a 4/0 Owner All Purpose Worm Hook, with a 1/2-ounce cylinder weight. He used an 18- to 22-inch leader.
Hartley also used a D&L Tackle 3/8-ounce Original Jig.
Hartley also used a D&L Tackle 3/8-ounce Original Jig.
<b>Christian Shoda (8th; 31-3) </b><br> A bladed jig, homemade jig and prop bait were the lures of choice for Christian Shoda.
Christian Shoda (8th; 31-3)
A bladed jig, homemade jig and prop bait were the lures of choice for Christian Shoda.
For covering water, he used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Gambler Little EZ 3.75-inch swimbait.
For covering water, he used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Gambler Little EZ 3.75-inch swimbait.
Shoda also used a 5/8-ounce homemade jig with a Zoom Salty Pro Chunk.
Shoda also used a 5/8-ounce homemade jig with a Zoom Salty Pro Chunk.
An Academy Sports + Outdoors H20 EXPRESS Double Plop Bait was another choice.
An Academy Sports + Outdoors H20 EXPRESS Double Plop Bait was another choice.
<b>Josh Douglas (7th; 32-2) </b><br> Josh Douglas earned an invitation to the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Norman by rotating through a swimbait, jig and new jerkbait.
Josh Douglas (7th; 32-2)
Josh Douglas earned an invitation to the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series at Lake Norman by rotating through a swimbait, jig and new jerkbait.
That choice was the new Shimano World Minnow 115SP, featuring technologies that provide greater casting distance and more lifelike appearance. He added an additional weight below the head to make the bait quickly reach the cane pile strike zone.
That choice was the new Shimano World Minnow 115SP, featuring technologies that provide greater casting distance and more lifelike appearance. He added an additional weight below the head to make the bait quickly reach the cane pile strike zone.
Douglas also took a 1/4-once Outkast Tackle Golden Eye Swimmer Head, and he added a 3.25-inch BioSpawn ExoSwim for a swimbait rig.
Douglas also took a 1/4-once Outkast Tackle Golden Eye Swimmer Head, and he added a 3.25-inch BioSpawn ExoSwim for a swimbait rig.
He also used a 3/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Cage Feider Jig, with a Yamamoto Double Tail Hula Grub.
He also used a 3/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Cage Feider Jig, with a Yamamoto Double Tail Hula Grub.
<b>Cole Sands (6th; 32-4) </b><br> Cole Sands relied on two mainstay baits that are commonly used during the fall on Lake Norman.
Cole Sands (6th; 32-4)
Cole Sands relied on two mainstay baits that are commonly used during the fall on Lake Norman.
A 1/4-ounce jighead with a Keitech Swing Impact 3.3 swimbait was a top choice.
A 1/4-ounce jighead with a Keitech Swing Impact 3.3 swimbait was a top choice.
So was a Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil Popper, for topwater action.
So was a Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil Popper, for topwater action.
For a finesse approach, Sands used a 6-inch Roboworm, rigged on a 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
For a finesse approach, Sands used a 6-inch Roboworm, rigged on a 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
<b>Masayuki Matsushita (5th; 33-6) </b><br> Lures he designed for Deps produced well for Masayuki Matsushita.
Masayuki Matsushita (5th; 33-6)
Lures he designed for Deps produced well for Masayuki Matsushita.
Matsushita used a 3/8-ounce Deps Clinghead Jig with a 3.5-inch Deps Barbute trailer.
Matsushita used a 3/8-ounce Deps Clinghead Jig with a 3.5-inch Deps Barbute trailer.
A 1/2-ounce Deps Matsu Buzz with a frog trailer was another choice.
A 1/2-ounce Deps Matsu Buzz with a frog trailer was another choice.
Matsushita also used a 1/2-ounce Ryugi football head jig with a Nories Escape Twin trailer.
Matsushita also used a 1/2-ounce Ryugi football head jig with a Nories Escape Twin trailer.
<b>David Williams (4th; 34-2) </b><br> A crankbait and jig were the baits of choice for David Williams, who received an invitation to the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series.
David Williams (4th; 34-2)
A crankbait and jig were the baits of choice for David Williams, who received an invitation to the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series.
He chose a Duo Realis Crank M65 11A for cranking.
He chose a Duo Realis Crank M65 11A for cranking.
For slower presentations, Williams used a 1/2-ounce Queen Tackle Jig, with a Zoom Z Hog Jr. trailer.
For slower presentations, Williams used a 1/2-ounce Queen Tackle Jig, with a Zoom Z Hog Jr. trailer.
<b>Cole Huskins (3rd; 34-7) </b><br> Cole Huskins rotated through a jerkbait, jig for skipping,and a locally-made, handmade prop bait.
Cole Huskins (3rd; 34-7)
Cole Huskins rotated through a jerkbait, jig for skipping,and a locally-made, handmade prop bait.
That choice was a Bloody Thumb Lures Prop Hammer, made by Brian’s Crankbaits.
That choice was a Bloody Thumb Lures Prop Hammer, made by Brian’s Crankbaits.
Huskins also used a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait.
Huskins also used a Megabass Vision 110 jerkbait.
For skipping beneath docks, he used a 1/2-ounce Brian’s Custom Jig, made by Brian’s Crankbaits.
For skipping beneath docks, he used a 1/2-ounce Brian’s Custom Jig, made by Brian’s Crankbaits.
<b>Joey Nania (2nd; 36-11) </b><br> Joey Nania used a lightweight jig to reach quality bass holding on the bottom at Lake Norman.
Joey Nania (2nd; 36-11)
Joey Nania used a lightweight jig to reach quality bass holding on the bottom at Lake Norman.
His bait choice was a 3/16-ounce Z-Man Finesse EyeZ Jighead, with a 3.75-inch Z-Man StreakZ swimbait.
His bait choice was a 3/16-ounce Z-Man Finesse EyeZ Jighead, with a 3.75-inch Z-Man StreakZ swimbait.
<b>Cody Hoyle (1st; 40-4)</b><br> Cody Hoyle combined local knowledge of Lake Norman with baits commonly used to catch bass during the fall.
Cody Hoyle (1st; 40-4)
Cody Hoyle combined local knowledge of Lake Norman with baits commonly used to catch bass during the fall.
A primary bait was a 1/2-ounce homemade jig with a Zoom Twin Tail Grub.
A primary bait was a 1/2-ounce homemade jig with a Zoom Twin Tail Grub.
For boat docks, he made a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm, rigged on a 1/0 Gamakatsu Hook with a 1/2-ounce ball sinker.
For boat docks, he made a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm, rigged on a 1/0 Gamakatsu Hook with a 1/2-ounce ball sinker.
Hoyle also used a Rapala DT6 crankbait.
Hoyle also used a Rapala DT6 crankbait.

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