Lake Guntersville put on a show at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The 53 anglers spent the week dealing with rain, dingy water and post-front conditions. You wouldn’t expect anything less at bass fishing’s world championship.
All captions: Craig Lamb
Photo: Dalton Tumblin
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Redemption. That word sums up the performance of Hank Cherry, who came close to hoisting the Classic trophy in 2013, when he came in third after losing a key largemouth on a jerkbait. This time a jerkbait and other lures rewarded Cherry with the ultimate prize in bass fishing. See his lure choices and others competing on Championship Sunday.
Photo: James Overstreet
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David Mullins (48-0; 13th)
David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
Photo: Thomas Allen
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A 6-inch Scottsboro Tackle Company STC Swimbait, rigged on 3/4-ounce jig head, was a key lure for Mullins. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Skylar Hamilton (48-2; 12th)
To nab a spot in the top 12, Tennessee pro Skylar Hamilton used a bait that was custom made to his specifications.
To nab a spot in the top 12, Tennessee pro Skylar Hamilton used a bait that was custom made to his specifications.
Photo: James Overstreet
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A 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Spinnerbait, double gold Colorado blades, with Googan Baits Saucy Swimmer, was the key lure of the Classic for Hamilton.
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Jason Williamson (48-14; 11th)
Jason Williamson relied on a duo of lures. A 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer with Zoom Super Fluke was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig.
Jason Williamson relied on a duo of lures. A 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer with Zoom Super Fluke was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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He also used a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Matt Herren (49-5; 10th)
A pair of 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammers were the lures of choice for Matt Herren. He also used a 1/2-ounce XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait (not pictured).
A pair of 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammers were the lures of choice for Matt Herren. He also used a 1/2-ounce XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait (not pictured).
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Brandon Card (50-4; 9th)
Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
Photo: Steve Bowman
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A Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait and 1/2-ounce unnamed jig with Yamamoto Double Tail were top picks for Card.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Lee Livesay (52-12; 8th)
A 1/2-ounce Finch Nasty Bait Co. Lunker Thumper, with 3.25-inch Netbait Little Spanky trailer was the key rig of choice for Lee Livesay.
A 1/2-ounce Finch Nasty Bait Co. Lunker Thumper, with 3.25-inch Netbait Little Spanky trailer was the key rig of choice for Lee Livesay.
Photo: Craig Lamb
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Brandon Lester (53-9; 7th)
Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
Photo: Thomas Allen
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A 1/2-ounce Spotsticker Baits brown living rubber jig, with 5/0 Mustad Ultra Point Hook and a X Zone Lures Muscle Back Craw, was a top choice for Lester. So was a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eyed Shad Tungsten 2-Tap.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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John Crews (53-13; 6th)
John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Crews chose a trio of lures for his week. A 1/2-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Mini Flip Flipping Jig, with Missile Baits D Bomb Creature Bait was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, with 6.5-inch Missile Baits Quiver Worm trailer.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Crews also used a Spro Little John DD Crankbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Micah Frazier (54-0; 5th)
Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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A 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker and the new Norman Speed N were top lures for Frazier. The Speed N will be officially released in July at the ICAST industry trade show.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Seth Feider (54-0; 4th)
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key bait for Seth Feider on Championship Sunday.
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key bait for Seth Feider on Championship Sunday.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Stetson Blaylock (58-1; 3rd)
Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Steve Bowman
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The new Norman Speed N Crankbait retrofitted with Gamakatsu G-Finesse Treble Hooks was a key fish catcher for Blaylock. So was a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker with the same hooks.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Todd Auten (58-10; 2nd)
Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, and 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad were top choices for Auten.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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Hank Cherry (65-5; 1st)
“When I caught that biggest bass on a jerkbait, I felt some redemption,” said Hank Cherry. Redemption came on Sunday when Cherry overcame losing a key largemouth earlier in the week.
“When I caught that biggest bass on a jerkbait, I felt some redemption,” said Hank Cherry. Redemption came on Sunday when Cherry overcame losing a key largemouth earlier in the week.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin
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A 3/8-ounce Picasso Lures Dock Rocket, green pumpkin/orange, with green pumpkin Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Chunk trailer, was a top choice on Days 2 and 3 for the Classic champ. So was a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait, GP Stain Reaction OB (orange belly) pattern. He replaced the stock hooks with Berkley Fusion19 EWG Treble Hooks, to add weight and increase the rate of fall. A Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key lure on Friday.
Photo: Andy Crawford
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