Top lures of Lake Martin

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Largemouth bass stole the show on a fishery known for superb spotted bass fishing at Lake Martin. Periodic rains with warm water runoff inundated the central Alabama impoundment to create ideal conditions for a prespawn largemouth bite. <br><br><i>All captions: Craig Lamb</i>
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Largemouth bass stole the show on a fishery known for superb spotted bass fishing at Lake Martin. Periodic rains with warm water runoff inundated the central Alabama impoundment to create ideal conditions for a prespawn largemouth bite. All captions: Craig Lamb
Also stealing the show was winner Takahiro Omori at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge. Check out the wide variety of lures used to catch spotted bass and largemouth.
Photo: James Overstreet - Also stealing the show was winner Takahiro Omori at the Bassmaster Elite at Lake Martin presented by Econo Lodge. Check out the wide variety of lures used to catch spotted bass and largemouth.
<b>Dustin Connell</b><br> To finish 12th Dustin Connell primarily relied on a 1/2-ounce 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig with a 3.25-inch NetBait Paca Chunk Senior, Alabama Craw.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Dustin Connell To finish 12th Dustin Connell primarily relied on a 1/2-ounce 6th Sense Divine Hybrid Jig with a 3.25-inch NetBait Paca Chunk Senior, Alabama Craw.
<b>Brett Hite</b><br> To finish 11th Brett Hite used Texas rigged drop shot and Neko rigs. He made that with a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, No. 2 VMC Ike Approved Neko Hook and 3/32-ounce nail weight. A 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb Hook, 6-inch Roboworm and 1/4-ounce tungsten weight completed the drop shot rig.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Brett Hite To finish 11th Brett Hite used Texas rigged drop shot and Neko rigs. He made that with a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, No. 2 VMC Ike Approved Neko Hook and 3/32-ounce nail weight. A 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb Hook, 6-inch Roboworm and 1/4-ounce tungsten weight completed the drop shot rig.
<b>Dean Rojas</b><br> To finish 10th Dean Rojas used a 3/16-ounce Gamakatsu Stand Up Alien Head and 3.5-inch Big Bite Baits Dean Rojas Fighting Frog, green pumpkin/watermelon pattern.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Dean Rojas To finish 10th Dean Rojas used a 3/16-ounce Gamakatsu Stand Up Alien Head and 3.5-inch Big Bite Baits Dean Rojas Fighting Frog, green pumpkin/watermelon pattern.
<b>Jonathon VanDam</b><br> To finish ninth Jonathon VanDam used a pair of Strike King crankbaits in the pattern of Rayburn Red. The choices were the Pro Model Series 3 and Pro Model 3XD. VanDam used the latter lure to reach fish in deeper water.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Jonathon VanDam To finish ninth Jonathon VanDam used a pair of Strike King crankbaits in the pattern of Rayburn Red. The choices were the Pro Model Series 3 and Pro Model 3XD. VanDam used the latter lure to reach fish in deeper water.
<b>Mark Menendez</b><br> Mark Menendez used crankbaits, a jig and spinnerbaits to finish eighth. He chose Strike King Series 3 Pro Model and Squarebill 1.5 crankaits for covering water. A 3/8-ounce Strike King All Purpose Jig with a Strike King Rage Craw for a trailer was another choice, along with a Strike King Spinnerbait.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Mark Menendez Mark Menendez used crankbaits, a jig and spinnerbaits to finish eighth. He chose Strike King Series 3 Pro Model and Squarebill 1.5 crankaits for covering water. A 3/8-ounce Strike King All Purpose Jig with a Strike King Rage Craw for a trailer was another choice, along with a Strike King Spinnerbait.
Menendez also used a 1/2-ounce homemade model with a skirt color described as cantaloupe with red added for strike appeal. “It was all about the skirt color that made it ideal for the stained water.” Completing the spinnerbait was copper No. 2 and No. 5 Colorado blades.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Menendez also used a 1/2-ounce homemade model with a skirt color described as cantaloupe with red added for strike appeal. “It was all about the skirt color that made it ideal for the stained water.” Completing the spinnerbait was copper No. 2 and No. 5 Colorado blades.
<b>Andy Montgomery</b><br> To finish seventh Andy Montgomery used a crankbait and jig. That choice was a 1/2-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig with plastic chunk trailer. For improved action in cold water he used a rubber skirt. He also used a Strike King KVD Rattling Square Bill Crankbait, Chili Craw pattern, made exclusively for Bass Pro Shops.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Andy Montgomery To finish seventh Andy Montgomery used a crankbait and jig. That choice was a 1/2-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig with plastic chunk trailer. For improved action in cold water he used a rubber skirt. He also used a Strike King KVD Rattling Square Bill Crankbait, Chili Craw pattern, made exclusively for Bass Pro Shops.
<b>Justin Lucas</b><br> To finish sixth Justin Lucas used a 1/4-ounce shaky head jig with a 5-inch Berkley Powerbait Maxscent The General Worm.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Justin Lucas To finish sixth Justin Lucas used a 1/4-ounce shaky head jig with a 5-inch Berkley Powerbait Maxscent The General Worm.
<b>Luke Clausen</b><br> To finish fifth Luke Clausen used a wacky rig and shaky head. He made it with a 5-inch Z-Man Zinkerz and 1/4-ounce Z-Man Shakey Headz. Clausen used a 3/32-ounce nail weight and 1/0 Owner Weedless Wacky Hook with soft stick bait for the wacky rig.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Luke Clausen To finish fifth Luke Clausen used a wacky rig and shaky head. He made it with a 5-inch Z-Man Zinkerz and 1/4-ounce Z-Man Shakey Headz. Clausen used a 3/32-ounce nail weight and 1/0 Owner Weedless Wacky Hook with soft stick bait for the wacky rig.
<b>Jared Lintner</b><br> To finish fourth Jared Lintner used a lipless crankbait, square bill crankbait and swim jig. To make it he used a 3/15-ounce ball head with a swimbait.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Jared Lintner To finish fourth Jared Lintner used a lipless crankbait, square bill crankbait and swim jig. To make it he used a 3/15-ounce ball head with a swimbait.
Cranking choices included a Jackall TN/60 and Storm Original Wiggle Wart. Lintner also used a 1/4-ounce Luhr Jensen Speed Trap.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Cranking choices included a Jackall TN/60 and Storm Original Wiggle Wart. Lintner also used a 1/4-ounce Luhr Jensen Speed Trap.
<b>Adrian Avena</b><br> To finish third Adrian Avena used a Damiki rig for spotted bass in deep water. For flipping for largemouth in isolated cover he used a 3/8-ounce All Terrain Tackle Jig with Berkley Havoc Pit Boss Junior trailer.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Adrian Avena To finish third Adrian Avena used a Damiki rig for spotted bass in deep water. For flipping for largemouth in isolated cover he used a 3/8-ounce All Terrain Tackle Jig with Berkley Havoc Pit Boss Junior trailer.
He used jig head weights of 1/4 or 1/2 ounce for reaching spots at 35-45 feet with the Damiki rig. A 3-inch Berkley Gulp! Minnow, Smelt, completed the rig.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - He used jig head weights of 1/4 or 1/2 ounce for reaching spots at 35-45 feet with the Damiki rig. A 3-inch Berkley Gulp! Minnow, Smelt, completed the rig.
<b>Roy Hawk</b><br> Elite Series rookie Roy Hawk finished second using a jig and crankbait. That choice was a Duo Realis Crankbait M62 5A, Scarlet pattern.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Roy Hawk Elite Series rookie Roy Hawk finished second using a jig and crankbait. That choice was a Duo Realis Crankbait M62 5A, Scarlet pattern.
“I ran out of that color and had to use nail polish,” he added.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - “I ran out of that color and had to use nail polish,” he added.
Hawk also used a 1/2-ounce Pepper Custom Baits Casting Jig, alternating between Yamamoto trailers. Choices were a 5-inch Double Tail Grub and 3.75-inch Flappin Hog II.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Hawk also used a 1/2-ounce Pepper Custom Baits Casting Jig, alternating between Yamamoto trailers. Choices were a 5-inch Double Tail Grub and 3.75-inch Flappin Hog II.
<b>Takahiro Omori</b><br> Takahiro Omori used a Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill 1.5 crankbait, TO Craw pattern. The lure chosen by the winner was ideal for the shallow, dingy water conditions.
Photo: Garrick Dixon - Takahiro Omori Takahiro Omori used a Lucky Craft LC Silent Squarebill 1.5 crankbait, TO Craw pattern. The lure chosen by the winner was ideal for the shallow, dingy water conditions.