Top lures at Kissimmee Chain 2022

Brandon Lester won his first Bassmaster Tournament with a come-from-behind win in the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. 



Take a look at the full lineup of lures the top 10 used in Florida.” class=”wp-image-569635″ width=”960″ height=”640″ srcset=
Brandon Lester won his first Bassmaster Tournament with a come-from-behind win in the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.

Take a look at the full lineup of lures the top 10 used in Florida.

<b>Cole Sands (10th; 37-1) </b><br />
Cole Sands was a player on the final day of the tournament, and he shared his favorite lures of the week.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569636″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Cole Sands (10th; 37-1) </b><br />
Cole Sands was a player on the final day of the tournament, and he shared his favorite lures of the week.<br />
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<figure class=Sands top picks included this Yo-Zuri 3DB 110 SP jerkbait (Pearl Shad).
Sands top picks included this Yo-Zuri 3DB 110 SP jerkbait (Pearl Shad).
Sands also liked this Z-Man Jackhammer ChatterBait (Golden Shiner) with a Gambler Lures Komodo on the back. He moved the lure like a hair jig through clumps of grass to get reaction bites.
Sands also liked this Z-Man Jackhammer ChatterBait (Golden Shiner) with a Gambler Lures Komodo on the back. He moved the lure like a hair jig through clumps of grass to get reaction bites.
<b>Zack Birge (9th; 37-8) </b><br />
Zack Birge shows off his favorite lures of the week.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569639″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Zack Birge (9th; 37-8) </b><br />
Zack Birge shows off his favorite lures of the week.<br />
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<figure class=Birge said this Yo-Zuri Vibe lipless crankbait (in a non-traditional golden color) was key.
Birge said this Yo-Zuri Vibe lipless crankbait (in a non-traditional golden color) was key.
Birge holds the Omega swim jig (Bluegill) he threw on the Kissimmee Chain, hoping to attract the biggest bites.
Birge holds the Omega swim jig (Bluegill) he threw on the Kissimmee Chain, hoping to attract the biggest bites.
<b>John Soukup (8th; 39-6) </b><br />
John Soukup had a top 10 finish on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569642″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>John Soukup (8th; 39-6) </b><br />
John Soukup had a top 10 finish on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
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<figure class=Soukup shows off the Spro McStick (P.M. Twilight) he used in open water this week.
Soukup shows off the Spro McStick (P.M. Twilight) he used in open water this week.
Soukup displays the YUM Thumpn’ Worm (Junebug) he used with a 3/8-ounce weight. He was able to flip and swim the lure for quality bites.
Soukup displays the YUM Thumpn’ Worm (Junebug) he used with a 3/8-ounce weight. He was able to flip and swim the lure for quality bites.
<b>Cole Drummond (7th; 40-0) </b><br />
Cole Drummond displays the lures that got him into the top 10 on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569645″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Cole Drummond (7th; 40-0) </b><br />
Cole Drummond displays the lures that got him into the top 10 on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
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<figure class=One of Drummond’s key baits was a Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speedworm (chartreuse tail) on 65-pound Power Pro braided line.
One of Drummond’s key baits was a Zoom Magnum Ultravibe Speedworm (chartreuse tail) on 65-pound Power Pro braided line.
Drummond also used a Carolina-rigged Zoom Super Fluke (pumpkin spice) with 15-pound leader on 20-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line.
Drummond also used a Carolina-rigged Zoom Super Fluke (pumpkin spice) with 15-pound leader on 20-pound Seaguar fluorocarbon line.
Drummond also made best use of a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Jackhammer ChatterBait with a Keitech trailer on the back.
Drummond also made best use of a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Jackhammer ChatterBait with a Keitech trailer on the back.
<b>Ryan Hoover (6th; 40-4) </b><br />
Ryan Hoover shows off his lures prior to the final day of the Southern Open.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569649″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Ryan Hoover (6th; 40-4) </b><br />
Ryan Hoover shows off his lures prior to the final day of the Southern Open.<br />
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<figure class=This Bitter’s Speed Worm (7-inch, Junebug) was the go-to lure when Hoover cast to bedding fish.
This Bitter’s Speed Worm (7-inch, Junebug) was the go-to lure when Hoover cast to bedding fish.
A Texas-rigged Bitter’s black and blue 6-inch worm with a 1/4-ounce weight also was key for Hoover.
A Texas-rigged Bitter’s black and blue 6-inch worm with a 1/4-ounce weight also was key for Hoover.
When he was in thicker grass, Hoover used this Dirty Jigs No-Jack swim jig (black/blue/purple) with a Gambler Easy Swimmer (Gold Rush) and a 1/2-ounce head.
When he was in thicker grass, Hoover used this Dirty Jigs No-Jack swim jig (black/blue/purple) with a Gambler Easy Swimmer (Gold Rush) and a 1/2-ounce head.
<b>Kenta Kimura (5th; 40-11) </b><br />
Kenta Kimura shows off the lures that worked best for him on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569653″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Kenta Kimura (5th; 40-11) </b><br />
Kenta Kimura shows off the lures that worked best for him on the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
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Kimura used this Red Glow square-bill crankbait in murkier water on the Kissimmee Chain.
Kimura used this Red Glow square-bill crankbait in murkier water on the Kissimmee Chain.
When he was in more clear water, Kimura used this Megabass Oneten Plus One (shad color) for his best catches.
When he was in more clear water, Kimura used this Megabass Oneten Plus One (shad color) for his best catches.
<b>Adam Neu (4th; 41-13) </b><br />
Adam Neu holds his three best lures from the first Southern Open of 2022.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569656″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Adam Neu (4th; 41-13) </b><br />
Adam Neu holds his three best lures from the first Southern Open of 2022.<br />
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Neu’s top lures of the week included this Strike King Red Eyed Shad, with gold and black features, to match the baitfish he spotted in the Kissimmee Chain. It was best for the grass flats and edges of reed stands, he said.
Neu’s top lures of the week included this Strike King Red Eyed Shad, with gold and black features, to match the baitfish he spotted in the Kissimmee Chain. It was best for the grass flats and edges of reed stands, he said.
Neu also leaned on Strike King Rage Bug lures (both Green Pumpkin/Blue Swirl and Junebug colors). He switched up the lures, depending on water clarity, and used them with 3/8-ounce tungsten weights.
Neu also leaned on Strike King Rage Bug lures (both Green Pumpkin/Blue Swirl and Junebug colors). He switched up the lures, depending on water clarity, and used them with 3/8-ounce tungsten weights.
<b>Tom Frink (3rd; 47-8) </b><br />
Tom Frink shows some of his top lures from the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569659″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Tom Frink (3rd; 47-8) </b><br />
Tom Frink shows some of his top lures from the Kissimmee Chain.<br />
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Here’s Frink with a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (Florabama color). He used it on 65-pound Berkley X9 braid with a 1 1/2-ounce Picasso tungsten flipping weight, 5/0 RYUGI Tantrum Control hook.
Here’s Frink with a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver (Florabama color). He used it on 65-pound Berkley X9 braid with a 1 1/2-ounce Picasso tungsten flipping weight, 5/0 RYUGI Tantrum Control hook.
Frink also used a 5-inch stick bait (plum) with a 4/0 RYUGI Infini hook and RYUGI black bean 1/4-ounce tungsten weight on 20-pound Berkley fluorocarbon.
Frink also used a 5-inch stick bait (plum) with a 4/0 RYUGI Infini hook and RYUGI black bean 1/4-ounce tungsten weight on 20-pound Berkley fluorocarbon.
His third go-to lure of the derby was an Evergreen Buzzer Beater with RYUGI pierce treble hooks (four on the front and back) with 20-pound Berkley fluorocarbon.
His third go-to lure of the derby was an Evergreen Buzzer Beater with RYUGI pierce treble hooks (four on the front and back) with 20-pound Berkley fluorocarbon.
<b>Joey Cifuentes III (2nd; 48-12) </b><br />
Joey Cifuentes III proudly displays his top lures at the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569663″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Joey Cifuentes III (2nd; 48-12) </b><br />
Joey Cifuentes III proudly displays his top lures at the St. Croix Bassmaster Southern Open on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes.<br />
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<figure class=Cifuentes points out the Berkley Stunna (Northern Lights) jerkbait he used to perfection in the tournament.
Cifuentes points out the Berkley Stunna (Northern Lights) jerkbait he used to perfection in the tournament.
Cifuentes also got key bites on this Berkley Crash Craw (Black with Blue Fleck). He paired it with a 1 1/2-ounce weight and a Berkley Fusion 19 hook.
Cifuentes also got key bites on this Berkley Crash Craw (Black with Blue Fleck). He paired it with a 1 1/2-ounce weight and a Berkley Fusion 19 hook.
<b>Brandon Lester (1st; 51-2)</b><br />
Elite Series pro Brandon Lester credited his win in the Southern Open thanks in part to this gear.<br />
” class=”wp-image-569666″ width=”960″ height=”640″/><figcaption><b>Brandon Lester (1st; 51-2)</b><br />
Elite Series pro Brandon Lester credited his win in the Southern Open thanks in part to this gear.<br />
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<figure class=Lester favored a 6-inch Gambler Fat Ace stick worm with a 4/0 Mustad Grip-Pen Big Bite hook and 3/16-ounce Mustad tungsten weight.
Lester favored a 6-inch Gambler Fat Ace stick worm with a 4/0 Mustad Grip-Pen Big Bite hook and 3/16-ounce Mustad tungsten weight.
Lester also relied on a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Jackhammer ChatterBait (Golden Shiner color) with a 3.3-inch Keitech (Tennessee Shad) trailer on the back.
Lester also relied on a 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Jackhammer ChatterBait (Golden Shiner color) with a 3.3-inch Keitech (Tennessee Shad) trailer on the back.