![A Championship Sunday with scoreboard weights so tight that anyone in the top 10 couldâve won. The dark horse nobody guessed would come from 19th place to score the win.
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<em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/01_-_img_4916-aaron-martens.jpg)
All captions: Craig Lamb
![Aaron Martens caught 23 pounds, 5 ounces from an expanded field of 51 anglers fishing on the final day at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain presented by Dick Cepek Tires & Wheels. Here are the lures used by the winner and other top finishers.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/02_-_img_5013-aaron-martens.jpg)
![<b>Steve Kennedy</b><br>
To finish 17th, Steve Kennedy chose a Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait, Bluegill Flash and other colors, rigged to 1/2- or 1-ounce unnamed jigheads.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/03_-_steve_kennedy_1_of_1.jpg)
To finish 17th, Steve Kennedy chose a Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait, Bluegill Flash and other colors, rigged to 1/2- or 1-ounce unnamed jigheads.
![<b>Jeff Kriet</b><br>
Jeff Kriet chose a drop shot rig and jig to finish 16th. He rigged the worm to No. 1 Lazer Trokar Drop Shot Hook, and 3/8- or 1/2-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Pro Drop Shot Weight. Kriet also used a 3/8-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Jig with a craw trailer.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/04_-_jeff_kriet_1_of_1.jpg)
Jeff Kriet chose a drop shot rig and jig to finish 16th. He rigged the worm to No. 1 Lazer Trokar Drop Shot Hook, and 3/8- or 1/2-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Pro Drop Shot Weight. Kriet also used a 3/8-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Jig with a craw trailer.
![<b>Adrian Avena</b><br>
âSmallmouth are very scent oriented and this new MaxScent for PowerBait was a big part of my week,â said Adrian Avena, who finished 15th. Avena used a one-two punch of a wacky rig and drop shot rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/05_-_adrian_avena_1_of_2.jpg)
âSmallmouth are very scent oriented and this new MaxScent for PowerBait was a big part of my week,â said Adrian Avena, who finished 15th. Avena used a one-two punch of a wacky rig and drop shot rig.
![Avena made the wacky rig using a 5-inch Berkley Power Bait Max Scent The General, rigging to No. 1 B10S Stinger hook. He made the drop shot using a 4-inch Berkley Power Bait Max Scent Flat Nose Minnow. Adding a No. 1 Berkley Fusion 19 Drop Shot Hook and 1/4- or 1/2-ounce drop shot weights completed the rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/06_-_adrian_avena_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>David Walker</b><br>
David Walker carried over a lure and tactic from the previous week at the St. Lawrence River to finish 14th at Lake Champlain. He used a new addition to the Z Man ElaZtech soft plastic lineup.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/07_-_david_walker_1_of_2.jpg)
David Walker carried over a lure and tactic from the previous week at the St. Lawrence River to finish 14th at Lake Champlain. He used a new addition to the Z Man ElaZtech soft plastic lineup.
![The choice was this Trick Shotz, which is designed for drop shot rigging. He added a No. 1 Gamakatsu Split Shot/Drop Shot Hook, and 3/8-ounce Reins TG Drop Shot Slim Weight to complete the rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/08_-_david_walker_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Matt Herren</b><br>
To finish 13th, Matt Herren used this Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. He rigged that to 5/0 Haybusa FPP Straight Worm Hook and 1/2-ounce or 3/4-ounce Elite Tungsten Weights.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/09_-_matt_herren_1_of_1.jpg)
To finish 13th, Matt Herren used this Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver. He rigged that to 5/0 Haybusa FPP Straight Worm Hook and 1/2-ounce or 3/4-ounce Elite Tungsten Weights.
![<b>Matt Lee</b><br>
Matt Lee fished his third Championship Sunday of the season, finishing 12th at Lake Champlain. He used a wacky rig and drop shot rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/10_-_matt_lee_1_of_2.jpg)
Matt Lee fished his third Championship Sunday of the season, finishing 12th at Lake Champlain. He used a wacky rig and drop shot rig.
![Lee made the wacky rig using a Strike King KVD Perfect Plastics Ocho, adding an O ring for durability, a 3/32 nail weight and No. 2 Owner Circle Hook. A Strike King KVD Dream Shot, No. 1 Owner Circle hook and 3/8-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Tungsten Weight made the drop shot rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/11_-_matt_lee_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Alton Jones</b><br>
To finish 11th, Alton Jones rigged a Yum Bad Mamma to a 4/0 ZoneLoc Flipping Hook and 1/2-ounce tungsten weight. Another choice was the Yum Warning Shot, rigged to a 1/0 ZoneLoc Hook and 3/16-ounce weight. He also used a Yum Dinger, rigged to a 4/0 ZoneLoc Flipping Hook and 3/16-ounce weight.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/12_-_alton_jones_sr._1_of_1.jpg)
To finish 11th, Alton Jones rigged a Yum Bad Mamma to a 4/0 ZoneLoc Flipping Hook and 1/2-ounce tungsten weight. Another choice was the Yum Warning Shot, rigged to a 1/0 ZoneLoc Hook and 3/16-ounce weight. He also used a Yum Dinger, rigged to a 4/0 ZoneLoc Flipping Hook and 3/16-ounce weight.
![<b>Chris Lane</b><br>
To finish 10th, Chris Lane used a new River2Sea Top Notch, Monkey Butt pattern. The lure is designed as a follow-up lure for the popular Whopper Plopper.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/13_-_chris_lane_1_of_1.jpg)
To finish 10th, Chris Lane used a new River2Sea Top Notch, Monkey Butt pattern. The lure is designed as a follow-up lure for the popular Whopper Plopper.
![Lane also used this Luck-E-Strike Rick Clunn STX Jerkbait to trigger reaction strikes.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/14_-_chris_lane_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Jordan Lee</b><br>
The reigning world champion fished his second Championship Sunday of the Bassmaster Elite Series season, finishing eighth at Lake Champlain.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/15_-_jordan_lee_1_of_1.jpg)
The reigning world champion fished his second Championship Sunday of the Bassmaster Elite Series season, finishing eighth at Lake Champlain.
![Lee used a KVD Perfect Plastics Caffeine Shad, Pearl, with 4/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook. He added a barrel swivel about 18 inches from the bait.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/16_-_jordan_lee_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Ott DeFoe</b><br>
To finish seventh, Ott DeFoe used two finesse rigs. Those were this 3/4-ounce Terminator Jig, Green Pumpkin Olive. For a trailer he added a Bass Pro Shops River Bug, Okeechobee Craw. Alternatively, he rigged a 3/16-ounce jighead with 3.5-inch Bass Pro Shops Stik-O Worm, Cali Craw.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/17_-_ott_defoe_1_of_1.jpg)
To finish seventh, Ott DeFoe used two finesse rigs. Those were this 3/4-ounce Terminator Jig, Green Pumpkin Olive. For a trailer he added a Bass Pro Shops River Bug, Okeechobee Craw. Alternatively, he rigged a 3/16-ounce jighead with 3.5-inch Bass Pro Shops Stik-O Worm, Cali Craw.
![<b>Brandon Lester</b><br>
Brandon Lester used a drop shot and Ned rig to finish sixth. The drop shot consisted of a 4-inch X Zone Lures Slim Slammer, rigged to a No. 4 Mustad Titan X Wacky Neko Hook. A 1/4-ounce drop shot weight completed the rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/18_-_brandon_lester_1_of_2.jpg)
Brandon Lester used a drop shot and Ned rig to finish sixth. The drop shot consisted of a 4-inch X Zone Lures Slim Slammer, rigged to a No. 4 Mustad Titan X Wacky Neko Hook. A 1/4-ounce drop shot weight completed the rig.
![The Ned rig featured a 1/8-ounce Mustad Grip Pin Ned Head with about 3 inches of an X Zone Lures True Center Stick. âI fished a community hole and those fish had seen every lure known to man. Having the right bait, and a different look, made a huge difference.â](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/19_-_brandon_lester_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Kelley Jaye</b><br>
Kelley Jaye used two topwater lures to finish fifth. The choices were a Heddon Saltwater Super Spook, chartreuse/clear and Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait, Perch.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20_-_kelley_jaye_1_of_1.jpg)
Kelley Jaye used two topwater lures to finish fifth. The choices were a Heddon Saltwater Super Spook, chartreuse/clear and Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait, Perch.
![<b>Jacob Wheeler</b><br>
Jacob Wheeler fished the farthest hard bottom areas he could find nearest the deepest water of long, rocky shoals to finish fourth. A key bait was a 3/8-ounce VMC Neon Moon Eye Jig with a Storm 360 GT Swimbait for a trailer.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/21_-_jacob_wheeler_1_of_2.jpg)
Jacob Wheeler fished the farthest hard bottom areas he could find nearest the deepest water of long, rocky shoals to finish fourth. A key bait was a 3/8-ounce VMC Neon Moon Eye Jig with a Storm 360 GT Swimbait for a trailer.
![To make a Carolina rig chose a 3.25-inch Gene Larew Lures Biffle Bug Jr., rigged to a 3/0 VMC Ike Approved Heavy Duty Wide Gap Hook. A 3/4-ounce VMC Tungsten Worm Weight completed the rig. Also producing strikes was a Rapala Shadow Rap Deep.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/22_-_jacob_wheeler_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Brandon Palaniuk</b><br>
âI caught lethargic, post-spawn smallmouth and needed lures to trigger reaction strikes,â said the third place finisher.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/23_-_brandon_palaniuk_1_of_3.jpg)
âI caught lethargic, post-spawn smallmouth and needed lures to trigger reaction strikes,â said the third place finisher.
![Palaniuk created a drop shot using a Zoom Z Drop, with No. 2 drop shot hook and 3/8- or 1/4-ounce tungsten drop shot sinker. A Storm Arashi Spinbait, Green Gill, was key for triggering strikes using a spybaiting technique.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/24_-_brandon_palaniuk_2_of_2.jpg)
![Also key was a Storm Arashi Top Walker 13, Ayu. For strike appeal he added a VMC Feathered Treble Hook. He also used this Rapala Shadow Rap Deep.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/25_-_brandon_palaniuk_3_of_3.jpg)
![<b>Seth Feider</b><br>
A prototype jig paid off for runner-up Seth Feider. Trimming the skirt and tentacles on the trailer made the rig more compact, a key for strikes.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/26_-_seth_feider_1_of_2.jpg)
A prototype jig paid off for runner-up Seth Feider. Trimming the skirt and tentacles on the trailer made the rig more compact, a key for strikes.
![About to hit the market is this 5/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Tungsten Stealth Feider Jig. He added a BioSpawn Vilecraw trailer for strike appeal.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/27_-_seth_feider_2_of_2.jpg)
![<b>Aaron Martens</b><br>
Winner Aaron Martens fished for largemouth with a familiar lure over a rocky flat covered by weeds.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/28_-_aaron_martens_1_of_2.jpg)
Winner Aaron Martens fished for largemouth with a familiar lure over a rocky flat covered by weeds.
![The winning bait was a 4.25-inch Roboworm Fat Straight Tail Worm, Aaronâs Magic/Red-Black Flake. A new No. 1 Gamakatsu G Finesse Heavy Cover Hook, and 1/4-ounce cylinder tungsten weight completed the rig.](http://www.bassmaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/29_-_aaron_martens_2_of_2.jpg)