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Top lures at Guntersville Classic 2020

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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. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - 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
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 - 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.
<b>David Mullins (48-0; 13th)</b><br> David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
Photo: Thomas Allen - David Mullins (48-0; 13th) David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
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 - 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.
<b>Skylar Hamilton (48-2; 12th)</b><br> 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 - 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.
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.
Photo: 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. - 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.
<b>Jason Williamson (48-14; 11th)</b><br> 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 - 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.
He also used a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He also used a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker.
<b>Matt Herren (49-5; 10th)</b><br> 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 - 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).
<b>Brandon Card (50-4; 9th)</b><br> Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
Photo: Steve Bowman - Brandon Card (50-4; 9th) Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
A Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait and 1/2-ounce unnamed jig with Yamamoto Double Tail were top picks for Card.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait and 1/2-ounce unnamed jig with Yamamoto Double Tail were top picks for Card.
<b>Lee Livesay (52-12; 8th)</b><br> 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 - 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.
<b>Brandon Lester (53-9; 7th)</b><br> Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
Photo: Thomas Allen - Brandon Lester (53-9; 7th) Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
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 - 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.
<b>John Crews (53-13; 6th)</b><br> John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Andy Crawford - John Crews (53-13; 6th) John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
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 - 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.
Crews also used a Spro Little John DD Crankbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Crews also used a Spro Little John DD Crankbait.
<b>Micah Frazier (54-0; 5th)</b><br> Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Micah Frazier (54-0; 5th) Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
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 - 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.
<b>Seth Feider (54-0; 4th)</b><br> A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key bait for Seth Feider on Championship Sunday.
Photo: Andy Crawford - 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.
<b>Stetson Blaylock (58-1; 3rd)</b><br> Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
Photo: Steve Bowman - Stetson Blaylock (58-1; 3rd) Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
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 - 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.
<b>Todd Auten (58-10; 2nd)</b><br> Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Todd Auten (58-10; 2nd) Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
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 - A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, and 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad were top choices for Auten.
<b>Hank Cherry (65-5; 1st)</b><br> “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 - 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.
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 - 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.