All captions: Craig Lamb
Photo: Andy Crawford
Photo: Andy Crawford
John Maner rotated through three baits, including a jig that he used in 40 feet of water for deep fish. Shop for lures on Amazon.com
Photo: Andy Crawford
That choice was a Tight Lines Jigs 3/4-ounce football jig, with Strike King Rage Tail Craw trailer. Buy it now on Amazon: Strike King Rage Tail Craw
Photo: Andy Crawford
He also used a Lucky Craft Gunfish 95, and Evergreen Shower Blows 125 walking topwater. Buy it now on Amazon: Lucky Craft Gunfish 95
Photo: Andy Crawford
Cody Hahner (11th; 34-10)
Top lures for Cody Hahner were an IMA Little Stik 135 and drop shot made with a 4.5-inch Roboworm Straight Tail Worm, rigged on 1/0 Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot Hook with 1/4-ounce weight. Buy it now on Amazon: IMA Little Stik 135, Roboworm Straight Tail Worm, Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot Hook
Photo: Shane Durrance
Brandon Cobb (10th; 36-0)
Top lure choices for Brandon Cobb were a Yo-Zuri 3DB Pencil Popper 135 and Zoom Super Fluke, rigged on 3/0 Berkley Fusion19 hook. Buy it now on Amazon: Zoom Super Fluke, Berkley Fusion19 Hook
Photo: Andy Crawford
Marc Frazier (9th; 37-8)
A Spro McStick Jerkbait was the top lure of choice for Marc Frazier. Buy it now on Amazon: Spro McStick Jerkbait
Photo: Andy Crawford
Derek Lehtonen (8th; 37-11)
Derek Lehtonen used a Lucky Craft Wander and a Zoom Super Fluke, rigged on 4/0 Gamakatsu hook with a leader and swivel. Buy it now on Amazon: Lucky Craft Wander, Zoom Super Fluke
Photo: Andy Crawford
Jason Christie (7th; 39-8)
A Heddon One Knocker Spook in the new Boneheaad color was the top lure of choice for Jason Christie. Buy it now on Amazon: Heddon One Knocker Spook
Photo: Andy Crawford
Andrew Upshaw (6th; 40-4)
Andrew Upshaw used a Strike King HC KVD Sexy Dawg Hard Knock for schooling fish. Alternatively, he used a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Caffeine Shad, rigged on a 2/0 weighted hook. Buy it now on Amazon: Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Caffeine Shad
Photo: Andy Crawford
Scott Martin (5th; 40-7)
Scott Martin used this entire arsenal to capitalize on any and all opportunities on a given spot. “I chose the bait based on the prevailing habitat and bait.” Key choices were a soft-plastic fluke, walking topwater baits and a Sebile Magic Swimmer. Buy it now on Amazon: Sebile Magic Swimmer
Photo: Andy Crawford
Bobby Stanfill (4th; 40-8)
Bobby Stanfill used a Lucky Craft Sammy 100 and a Zoom Super Fluke, on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Offset EWG Hook, with 14-pound Gamma Fluorocarbon leader, tied to a swivel to prevent line twist. Buy it now on Amazon: Lucky Craft Sammy 100, Zoom Super Fluke
Photo: Andy Crawford
Andy Wicker (3rd; 40-12)
Andy Wicker rotated through a fluke and two topwater baits. For calm conditions he used a Berkley Drift Walker; windy scenarios required a Berkley Cane Walker. Shop for lures on Amazon.com
Photo: Andy Crawford
He also used a Sebile Magic Swimmer. A Zoom Super Fluke, on Berkley Fusion 5/0 Offset Hook was another choice. Buy it now on Amazon: Sebile Magic Swimmer, Zoom Super Fluke, Berkley Fusion Offset Hook
Photo: Andy Crawford
Jayme Rampey (2nd; 42-6)
A Berkley Cane Walker and Zoom Super Fluke, rigged with a locally made 3/0 hook were the top lures of choice for Jayme Rampey. Buy it now on Amazon: Zoom Super Fluke
Photo: Andy Crawford
Patrick Walters (1st; 44-5)
A key lure adjustment was key to the win for Patrick Walters. “I had been throwing the Zoom Super Fluke in white pearl on 14-pound line on a baitcaster, but when I switched over to the Zoom Fluke Stick in natural shad on a spinning rod, it was lights-out after that. A little bit of bait profile change showed out this week. It was like they had never seen it.” Shop for lures on Amazon.com
Photo: Andy Crawford
Walters rigged the Super Fluke on 4/0 VMC Ike Approved Wide Gap Hook, or a Zoom Super Fluke Jr., rigged on No. 2 VMC Ike Approved Neko Hook. Buy it now on Amazon: Zoom Super Fluke, VMC Ike Approved Neko Hook, Zoom Super Fluke Jr.
Photo: Andy Crawford
