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Best of Opens top lures 2021

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The 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens season tracked through all phases of the spawning cycle, giving anglers the chance to demonstrate their angling skills under a variety of conditions.
The 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Opens season tracked through all phases of the spawning cycle, giving anglers the chance to demonstrate their angling skills under a variety of conditions.
Here’s a look back at the top lures of the winners, and how they applied those in game-winning tactics.
Here’s a look back at the top lures of the winners, and how they applied those in game-winning tactics.
<b>Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida</b><br> Early March in central Florida typically finds waves of heavyweight females migrating into the spawning areas. That didn’t happen, as unseasonably warm temperatures before the tournament jumpstarted the spawn. Most of the largemouth population were transitioning back to offshore postspawn areas.
Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida
Early March in central Florida typically finds waves of heavyweight females migrating into the spawning areas. That didn’t happen, as unseasonably warm temperatures before the tournament jumpstarted the spawn. Most of the largemouth population were transitioning back to offshore postspawn areas.
Only two anglers twice broke the magic 20-pound weight, including winner Keith Tuma, who came from 10th place to win the derby with 58-13. Tuma fished low-growing hydrilla on a flat with a bottom depth of 6 feet. A bladed jig allowed him to cover more water while working it slow to catch less active postspawn largemouth.
Only two anglers twice broke the magic 20-pound weight, including winner Keith Tuma, who came from 10th place to win the derby with 58-13. Tuma fished low-growing hydrilla on a flat with a bottom depth of 6 feet. A bladed jig allowed him to cover more water while working it slow to catch less active postspawn largemouth.
“Everybody else who was in the area was throwing ChatterBaits with paddletail trailers, but I think that the little subtle difference in my trailer made the fish want to eat,” he said. “I was getting bit when other guys weren’t.”
“Everybody else who was in the area was throwing ChatterBaits with paddletail trailers, but I think that the little subtle difference in my trailer made the fish want to eat,” he said. “I was getting bit when other guys weren’t.”
That choice was a Castaic Bats Jerky J, rigged on a 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer.
That choice was a Castaic Bats Jerky J, rigged on a 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer.
<b>Douglas Lake, Tennessee</b><br> The bass were in all phases of the spawn during the mid-April event on the East Tennessee fishery. Japanese angler Daisuke Aoki was the most consistent angler of the week, posting limits of 15-13, 13-5 and 14-11, for a final weight of 43-13.
Douglas Lake, Tennessee
The bass were in all phases of the spawn during the mid-April event on the East Tennessee fishery. Japanese angler Daisuke Aoki was the most consistent angler of the week, posting limits of 15-13, 13-5 and 14-11, for a final weight of 43-13.
A student of the game, Aoki compared the layout and conditions to what he encounters in Japan. He spent all his time in 5 feet, targeting prespawn and spawning bass with wacky rigs.
A student of the game, Aoki compared the layout and conditions to what he encounters in Japan. He spent all his time in 5 feet, targeting prespawn and spawning bass with wacky rigs.
Aoki used a 4-inch Yamamoto Senko on a 1/16-ounce wacky jig, for bedding bass.
Aoki used a 4-inch Yamamoto Senko on a 1/16-ounce wacky jig, for bedding bass.
He also used a DStyle finesse worm, rigged weightless on a Hayabusa hook.
He also used a DStyle finesse worm, rigged weightless on a Hayabusa hook.
<b>Pickwick Lake, Tennessee</b><br> The mid-May tournament on the Tennessee River had the largemouth in full postspawn mode, with many already having set up on familiar offshore areas.
Pickwick Lake, Tennessee
The mid-May tournament on the Tennessee River had the largemouth in full postspawn mode, with many already having set up on familiar offshore areas.
Joey Nania focused on main river bars featuring a mix of grass and stumps. Nania had been using a forage-appropriate bait until a keen observation turned him on to something that gave the bass a different look on Championship Saturday.
Joey Nania focused on main river bars featuring a mix of grass and stumps. Nania had been using a forage-appropriate bait until a keen observation turned him on to something that gave the bass a different look on Championship Saturday.
After catching a largemouth with a lamprey attached to its side, Nania did a lure changeup, switching to a bait matching the eel-like body profile. The result was a 1-pound margin of victory with a final weight of 58-2.
After catching a largemouth with a lamprey attached to its side, Nania did a lure changeup, switching to a bait matching the eel-like body profile. The result was a 1-pound margin of victory with a final weight of 58-2.
A 3/4-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Z-Man RaZor ShadZ, was a key bait for Nania.
A 3/4-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Z-Man RaZor ShadZ, was a key bait for Nania.
So was a Carolina rig made with a Z-Man Finesse TRD, rigged on a 6th Sense STOUT Wide Gap Worm Hook, with a 1/2-ounce weight. On Saturday, he made a key changeup using a Z-Man Mag FattyZWorm on a 3/16-ounce shaky head, after observing lamprey stuck on some of his fish.
So was a Carolina rig made with a Z-Man Finesse TRD, rigged on a 6th Sense STOUT Wide Gap Worm Hook, with a 1/2-ounce weight. On Saturday, he made a key changeup using a Z-Man Mag FattyZWorm on a 3/16-ounce shaky head, after observing lamprey stuck on some of his fish.
<b>James River, Virginia</b><br> Playing the tide, or being in the right place at the right time, is always a factor in winning tournaments on the tidal James River. The decision comes down to which tide, incoming or outgoing, provides the best opportunity in any given area.
James River, Virginia
Playing the tide, or being in the right place at the right time, is always a factor in winning tournaments on the tidal James River. The decision comes down to which tide, incoming or outgoing, provides the best opportunity in any given area.
Brandon Palaniuk found an incoming tide best for targeting specific current seams, where largemouth were feeding on large gizzard shad. “You had to make the exact cast,” he said. “If you were two feet left or right, you wouldn’t get bit.” The Bassmaster Elite Series pro caught the event’s biggest bag, 22-6, in the final hour on Day 2. On Saturday, he weighed 17-11 for a winning weight of 53-12.
Brandon Palaniuk found an incoming tide best for targeting specific current seams, where largemouth were feeding on large gizzard shad. “You had to make the exact cast,” he said. “If you were two feet left or right, you wouldn’t get bit.” The Bassmaster Elite Series pro caught the event’s biggest bag, 22-6, in the final hour on Day 2. On Saturday, he weighed 17-11 for a winning weight of 53-12.
Getting bit came within the first five cranks of the reel handle. Palaniuk mixed power with finesse to claim the win during the mid-April event.
Getting bit came within the first five cranks of the reel handle. Palaniuk mixed power with finesse to claim the win during the mid-April event.
His primary bait were 6- and 8-inch Megabas Magdraft swimbaits, Albino, with one tine on the belly treble hook straightened to keep it more secured to the plastic.
His primary bait were 6- and 8-inch Megabas Magdraft swimbaits, Albino, with one tine on the belly treble hook straightened to keep it more secured to the plastic.
Palaniuk also used a Storm Arashi Glide Bait.
Palaniuk also used a Storm Arashi Glide Bait.
When the bite slowed, he used an X Zone Lures 6-inch Deception Worm, rigged on a No. 1 VMC Finesse Neko Rig Hook, with a 1/4-ounce VMC Tungsten Dropshot weight.
When the bite slowed, he used an X Zone Lures 6-inch Deception Worm, rigged on a No. 1 VMC Finesse Neko Rig Hook, with a 1/4-ounce VMC Tungsten Dropshot weight.
<b>Oneida Lake, New York</b><br> The largemouth and smallmouth were ganged up offshore in their usual summer haunts, drawing crowds of anglers at the late July event in central New York.
Oneida Lake, New York
The largemouth and smallmouth were ganged up offshore in their usual summer haunts, drawing crowds of anglers at the late July event in central New York.
Bill Perkins, a savvy local tournament angler, exploited his intricate knowledge of the lake to have a leg up on the competition. As a result, Perkins led wire-to-wire with a winning weight of 52 pounds, 3 ounces.
Bill Perkins, a savvy local tournament angler, exploited his intricate knowledge of the lake to have a leg up on the competition. As a result, Perkins led wire-to-wire with a winning weight of 52 pounds, 3 ounces.
A Ned rig and drop shot rig were key baits for Perkins.
A Ned rig and drop shot rig were key baits for Perkins.
A top choice was a Z-Man TRD, rigged on a 1/6-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jighead.
A top choice was a Z-Man TRD, rigged on a 1/6-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jighead.
Perkins also used a Keitech Easy Shiner, rigged on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce drop shot weight.
Perkins also used a Keitech Easy Shiner, rigged on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce drop shot weight.
<b>St. Lawrence River, New York</b><br> The tournament headquarters in Clayton set up perfectly for anglers to fish two playing fields, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Fight the waves, maintain boat control and make precise lure presentations on the big water and you’d be in the hunt.
St. Lawrence River, New York
The tournament headquarters in Clayton set up perfectly for anglers to fish two playing fields, the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario. Fight the waves, maintain boat control and make precise lure presentations on the big water and you’d be in the hunt.
Cory Johnston hunted down big smallmouth on both sides of the field, scoring his best weights in Lake Ontario. On Championship Saturday, his 27-6 limit secured the win with a weight of 78-0.
Cory Johnston hunted down big smallmouth on both sides of the field, scoring his best weights in Lake Ontario. On Championship Saturday, his 27-6 limit secured the win with a weight of 78-0.
A key bait was an unnamed Spro prototype soft plastic finesse bait.
A key bait was an unnamed Spro prototype soft plastic finesse bait.
<b>Lake Norman, North Carolina</b><br> The mid-September event gave anglers two distinctly opposite choices on Lake Norman. Those were target largemouth in shallow water or go through numbers of spotted bass and fish offshore.
Lake Norman, North Carolina
The mid-September event gave anglers two distinctly opposite choices on Lake Norman. Those were target largemouth in shallow water or go through numbers of spotted bass and fish offshore.
Cody Hoyle, a skilled tournament angler on Norman, went shallow, opting for the better-quality largemouth bite. As a result, he won the tournament with 40-4. The winner targeted marinas and docks, the latter offering dredged out areas around the boat slips to accommodate seasonal drawdown conditions. The subtle depth change and shade were ideal for holding largemouth.
Cody Hoyle, a skilled tournament angler on Norman, went shallow, opting for the better-quality largemouth bite. As a result, he won the tournament with 40-4. The winner targeted marinas and docks, the latter offering dredged out areas around the boat slips to accommodate seasonal drawdown conditions. The subtle depth change and shade were ideal for holding largemouth.
Hoyle relied on a lineup of late summer/early fall baits.
Hoyle relied on a lineup of late summer/early fall baits.
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.
<b>Smith Lake, Alabama</b><br> The spotted bass bite was on in mid-October on Smith Lake. The prevailing seasonal pattern for success involves targeting bass relating to bottom cover in deep water.
Smith Lake, Alabama
The spotted bass bite was on in mid-October on Smith Lake. The prevailing seasonal pattern for success involves targeting bass relating to bottom cover in deep water.
Jacob Powroznik scored the win by fishing over standing timber, where the bass were using the trees as ambush cover for feeding upon blueback herring. Trees in 100 feet of water, with a strike zone only 20 feet below the surface, was a key area.
Jacob Powroznik scored the win by fishing over standing timber, where the bass were using the trees as ambush cover for feeding upon blueback herring. Trees in 100 feet of water, with a strike zone only 20 feet below the surface, was a key area.
Powroznik used a V&M Drop Shad, rigged on 3/16- or 1/44-ounce jigheads. Alternatively, he used a Livingston Walking Boss when the fish surfaced to feed.
Powroznik used a V&M Drop Shad, rigged on 3/16- or 1/44-ounce jigheads. Alternatively, he used a Livingston Walking Boss when the fish surfaced to feed.
<b>Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Oklahoma</b><br> The season concluded in mid-October, with winner Nick LeBrun going with a “hero or zero” strategy that paid off with a winning weight of 50-2. LeBrun used a big bait ideally matched for the size of the prevailing bass forage, big gizzard shad that were up on the bank. That one bait accounted for all the bass he weighed.
Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees, Oklahoma
The season concluded in mid-October, with winner Nick LeBrun going with a “hero or zero” strategy that paid off with a winning weight of 50-2. LeBrun used a big bait ideally matched for the size of the prevailing bass forage, big gizzard shad that were up on the bank. That one bait accounted for all the bass he weighed.
His choice was a River2Sea Whopper Plopper 130. He exchanged the stock trebles for Hyabusa TBL930 models. “When you get back behind docks and you’re around cables and rocks, your hooks are going to get worn out,” he said. “The reason I like those Hyabusa TBL930s is because they come with a coating of non-reflective black, and it makes that hook slick.”
His choice was a River2Sea Whopper Plopper 130. He exchanged the stock trebles for Hyabusa TBL930 models. “When you get back behind docks and you’re around cables and rocks, your hooks are going to get worn out,” he said. “The reason I like those Hyabusa TBL930s is because they come with a coating of non-reflective black, and it makes that hook slick.”

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