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Top lures at Lake Norman Open

Check out all the lures used by the Top 10 at the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender!

Posted on
Photography by
Chase Sansom
West Virginia
Photography by
Christopher Decker
Photography by
Andy Crawford
The water may have been low, but the bite was hot during the 2026 Turtlebox Bassmaster Open at Lake Norman presented by Battery Tender. The bass were in all stages of the spawn, and anglers found a multitude of ways to catch quality spotted and largemouth bass.
Cole Huskins finished third the last time the Opens visited Lake Norman, but this time, Huskins made a furious comeback on the final day to claim his first Opens trophy.
Across the country, the bass are in all stages of the spawn, which means a variety of tackle is needed to match the stage of the bass. Luckily, Bass Pro Shops has you covered with everything needed to succeed this time of year, including the baits used by the Opens pros at Lake Norman. Visit Basspro.com to find these lures, terminal tackle and more.
Kaden Buchmann (10th; 41-7)
Buchmann rotated between several presentations on his home lake to notch a Top 10.
This 5.5-inch York Casting Co. glidebait revealed where big bass were hiding.
This True South V Twin Double Buzzbait triggered several big bites as well.
To pick apart docks, he picked up a Neko-rigged Berkley Magnum Hit Worm with an 1/8-ounce weight and a No. 1 Gamakatsu wacky hook.
Michael Corbishley (9th; 42-9)
Corbishley used a three-pronged approach to notch a Top 10 in his home state.
Throughout the tournament, he tossed this Clutch Darter glidebait.
He also dragged this finesse worm on a Dirty Jigs Scott Canterbury Shakey Jig Head.
This 4-inch Nichols Flutter Spoon triggered key reaction strikes.
Darold Gleason (8th; 42-10)
Gleason stayed shallow most of the tournament and primarily used three baits.
In the mornings, he tossed a Strike King Sexy Dawg.
This Strike King Hog Father glidebait revealed where big bass were hiding around docks.
When he came across a bass locked on bed, he pitched a Strike King Rage Bug. He rigged it Texas-style with a 4/0 hook and a 5/16-ounce weight.
Ed Powell (7th; 43-0)
Powell focused on shallow docks, using three baits to generate bites.
This Hideup Coike Shrimp Creature Bait was his best presentation. He rigged it weightless with a 5/0 hook.
When he saw a bass on bed, he pitched a Texas-rigged Berkley MaxScent Stank Bug with a 3/8-ounce weight.
Powell also skipped this homemade jig under docks. He paired it with the same Stank Bug trailer.
KJ Queen (6th; 44-10)
Queen notched a Top 10 on his home lake using primarily three different baits.
When he saw a spawning bass, he tossed a Zoom Z Craw to the bed.
To increase his hookup ratio, he rigged his hook close to the tail by running his line through the Queen Line Through Tungsten Nail Weight.
He also tossed a Queen Tackle Porcupine Ball with a light nail weight and a Gamakatsu G-Finesse Stinger Hook.
A Queen Tackle Flipping Jig paired with a Zoom Z Craw was also productive.
Visit Basspro.com to check out all of the baits used by the Opens pros at Lake Norman.
Cody Hoyle (5th; 44-15)
Hoyle came up just short of back-to-back Opens victories on his home lake.
A 6-inch Megabass Magdraft swimbait generated big bites.
A Berkley Nessie 7 was a top choice.
He also tossed the Spro Chad Shad.
Cody Abbott (4th; 45-0)
Abbott notched his first Top 10 of his young career at Lake Norman.
A wacky-rigged Bass Mooch Solo stick worm was his best presentation.
This white swim jig with a Zoom Z Craw Jr. caught several key bass.
In a pickle, Dude Wipes always come in handy.
Carson Orellana (3rd; 45-1)
Three reaction baits carried Orellana to a top five finish.
To imitate bluegill, he used this Tater Hog Angry Gill.
He also tossed a Strike King Hog Farmer Jr.
For topwater action, he threw a True South V Twin Double Buzzbait paired with a Zoom Horny Toad.
Kyoya Fujita (2nd; 47-12)
Fujita came up just short of his first Opens victory.
He primarily tossed a Jackall Vividus swimbait.
For a different look, he threw a 4.8-inch Jackall DeadSlowler swimbait with a 5/0 hook.
Cole Huskins (1st; 47-14)
Huskins used two baits and rallied on the final day to claim his first Opens trophy.
A Neko-rigged Berkley MaxScent Magnum Hitworm was a key presentation.
A Bloody Thumb Lures Wake Hammer also trigged key strikes.

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