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Top lures at St. Johns 2022

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By Florida standards, wintry weather marked the start of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River. Overnight lows in the 40s and daytime highs in the 50s gave way to warmer temperatures and sunny skies by the weekend. That would mean good things to come. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Photo: Craig Lamb - By Florida standards, wintry weather marked the start of the AFTCO Bassmaster Elite at St. Johns River. Overnight lows in the 40s and daytime highs in the 50s gave way to warmer temperatures and sunny skies by the weekend. That would mean good things to come.

All captions: Craig Lamb
The weights got heavier as the weather warmed up. John Crews kicked it off with a Thursday limit weighing 28 pounds. John Cox heaved 31-15 on the scales on Saturday, and Bob Downey landed a limit weighing 29-3 on Sunday. Crews was challenged but never gave in.
Photo: James Overstreet - The weights got heavier as the weather warmed up. John Crews kicked it off with a Thursday limit weighing 28 pounds. John Cox heaved 31-15 on the scales on Saturday, and Bob Downey landed a limit weighing 29-3 on Sunday. Crews was challenged but never gave in.
Competing in his 17th season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, John Crews is one of the most experienced pros fishing the circuit. Starting the year on a strong note, Crews claimed his second Elite title by winning the season-opener on the St. Johns River with a wire-to-wire victory.
Photo: James Overstreet - Competing in his 17th season on the Bassmaster Elite Series, John Crews is one of the most experienced pros fishing the circuit. Starting the year on a strong note, Crews claimed his second Elite title by winning the season-opener on the St. Johns River with a wire-to-wire victory.
Crews used a suspending jerkbait and a drop shot in deeper areas of Rodman Reservoir. Shallower targets were standing timber and pads, where a bladed jig was ideal for matching the habitat and strike zone.
Photo: Shane Durrance - Crews used a suspending jerkbait and a drop shot in deeper areas of Rodman Reservoir. Shallower targets were standing timber and pads, where a bladed jig was ideal for matching the habitat and strike zone.
<p>It takes a mixed bag of baits to intercept prespawn bass on the move. The top anglers at St. Johns River proved it, opting for topwaters, jerkbaits, bladed jigs and a wide assortment of soft plastics rigged to cover the varying conditions. You can find everything you need for the spawning season at <a href=
Photo: Dalton Tumblin -

It takes a mixed bag of baits to intercept prespawn bass on the move. The top anglers at St. Johns River proved it, opting for topwaters, jerkbaits, bladed jigs and a wide assortment of soft plastics rigged to cover the varying conditions. You can find everything you need for the spawning season at Basspro.com. Check out the top baits, make your shopping list, and get your order in for spring success.

<b>Micah Frazier (10th; 50-13) </b><br> Micah Frazier alternated between a Texas-rigged worm and jerkbait for success on the St. Johns River.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Micah Frazier (10th; 50-13)
Micah Frazier alternated between a Texas-rigged worm and jerkbait for success on the St. Johns River.
A Berkley Stunna produced reaction strikes.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A Berkley Stunna produced reaction strikes.
For heavier cover Frazier used a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General. He rigged that on a 3/0 Gamakatsu Hook, with a 3/16-ounce weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For heavier cover Frazier used a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General. He rigged that on a 3/0 Gamakatsu Hook, with a 3/16-ounce weight.
<b>Drew Cook (9th; 56-4) </b><br> Drew Cook made the most of a flipping and pitching bite as the largemouth moved into spawning areas.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Drew Cook (9th; 56-4)
Drew Cook made the most of a flipping and pitching bite as the largemouth moved into spawning areas.
His primary setup was a Big Bite Baits 4-inch Fighting Frog, rigged on a 4/0 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Heavy Duty Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - His primary setup was a Big Bite Baits 4-inch Fighting Frog, rigged on a 4/0 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Heavy Duty Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Cook also rigged the Trick Stick on a 4/0 Gamakatsu G Finesse Heavy Duty Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Cook also rigged the Trick Stick on a 4/0 Gamakatsu G Finesse Heavy Duty Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
To give the bass a different look, he used a new bait from Big Bite Baits to be released this spring. That bait will be a Big Bite Baits 5-inch Trick Stick. Cook rigged it on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky Hook.
Photo: Andy Crawford - To give the bass a different look, he used a new bait from Big Bite Baits to be released this spring. That bait will be a Big Bite Baits 5-inch Trick Stick. Cook rigged it on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Weedless Wacky Hook.
<b>Stetson Blaylock (8th; 58-4) </b><br> Stetson Blaylock alternated between two baits to cover the varying depths of the prespawn bass.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Stetson Blaylock (8th; 58-4)
Stetson Blaylock alternated between two baits to cover the varying depths of the prespawn bass.
For reaction bites, he used a Booyah XCS Series Squarebill Crankbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For reaction bites, he used a Booyah XCS Series Squarebill Crankbait.
For subtle bites, he opted for a YUM Finesse Worm, rigged wacky style on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hook.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For subtle bites, he opted for a YUM Finesse Worm, rigged wacky style on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hook.
<b>Patrick Walters (7th; 59-4) </b><br> Patrick Walters alternated between a jerkbait and wacky rig as his two top baits.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Patrick Walters (7th; 59-4)
Patrick Walters alternated between a jerkbait and wacky rig as his two top baits.
He chose a Rapala RipStop, appropriately named for its secondary lip at the rear of the bait, preventing forward travel after each twitch for a unique action. Walters used sharp jerks of his rod tip over aggressively feeding bass for reaction strikes.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He chose a Rapala RipStop, appropriately named for its secondary lip at the rear of the bait, preventing forward travel after each twitch for a unique action. Walters used sharp jerks of his rod tip over aggressively feeding bass for reaction strikes.
For slower action, he used a Zoom Zlinky stickbait, rigged with a VMC Crossover Band for improved action and hook setting ratios, and a No. 1 Neko Hook. He coated the bait with Bait Fuel, by American Baitworks.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For slower action, he used a Zoom Zlinky stickbait, rigged with a VMC Crossover Band for improved action and hook setting ratios, and a No. 1 Neko Hook. He coated the bait with Bait Fuel, by American Baitworks.
<b>Austin Felix (6th; 64-6) </b><br> A Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait was a key bait for Austin Felix.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Austin Felix (6th; 64-6)
A Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait was a key bait for Austin Felix.
He switched out the stock hooks for No. 7 Ryugi Pierce TC Treble Hooks.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He switched out the stock hooks for No. 7 Ryugi Pierce TC Treble Hooks.
<b>David Mullins (5th; 64-7) </b><br> David Mullins rotated between a swim jig and bladed jig to cover his areas.
Photo: Andy Crawford - David Mullins (5th; 64-7)
David Mullins rotated between a swim jig and bladed jig to cover his areas.
Mullins used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer, with a Z-Man RaZor ShadZ swimbait-style trailer.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Mullins used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer, with a Z-Man RaZor ShadZ swimbait-style trailer.
He also used a Nichols Lures 1/2-ounce Swim Jig, with a Doomsday Reaper for a trailer.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He also used a Nichols Lures 1/2-ounce Swim Jig, with a Doomsday Reaper for a trailer.
<b>John Cox (4th; 67-10) </b><br> John Cox alternated between two soft plastic rigs that are ideal for fishing in heavy cover, his angling specialty.
Photo: Andy Crawford - John Cox (4th; 67-10)
John Cox alternated between two soft plastic rigs that are ideal for fishing in heavy cover, his angling specialty.
On Semifinal Saturday, when he caught the epic limit weighing 31-15, Cox used a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Creature Hawg, rigged on a 3/0 Berkley Fusion19 Flipping Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - On Semifinal Saturday, when he caught the epic limit weighing 31-15, Cox used a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Creature Hawg, rigged on a 3/0 Berkley Fusion19 Flipping Hook, with a 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
For Championship Sunday, he used a Berkley PowerBait Speed Boss, rigged weightless with a 3/0 Berkley Fusion19 Weedless Wide Gap Hook.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For Championship Sunday, he used a Berkley PowerBait Speed Boss, rigged weightless with a 3/0 Berkley Fusion19 Weedless Wide Gap Hook.
<b>Masayuki Matsushita (3rd; 69-13) </b><br> A worm, swim jig and crankbait were the three top lure choices for Masayuki Matsushita.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Masayuki Matsushita (3rd; 69-13)
A worm, swim jig and crankbait were the three top lure choices for Masayuki Matsushita.
For the crankbait, he chose a Deps Evoke Squarebill, designed with a heavy body curve to generate tight wobbles and ideal for vegetation and wood.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For the crankbait, he chose a Deps Evoke Squarebill, designed with a heavy body curve to generate tight wobbles and ideal for vegetation and wood.
He also used a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, on a 4/0 Owner Hook with a 3/16-ounce weight. Matsushita described the setup as a free rig, with a cylinder-shaped sinker hanging perpendicular to the line, and a bobber stop to keep the weight within a limited range.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He also used a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, on a 4/0 Owner Hook with a 3/16-ounce weight. Matsushita described the setup as a free rig, with a cylinder-shaped sinker hanging perpendicular to the line, and a bobber stop to keep the weight within a limited range.
Matsushita also used a self-designed Deps Matsuraba swim jig, with a Deps Deathadder Twin Tail Grub. He used 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights of the jig.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Matsushita also used a self-designed Deps Matsuraba swim jig, with a Deps Deathadder Twin Tail Grub. He used 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights of the jig.
<b>Bob Downey (2nd; 74-0) </b><br> Bob Downey rotated through a bait selection capable of intercepting bass from the surface to the bottom, depending on their migration stage.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Bob Downey (2nd; 74-0)
Bob Downey rotated through a bait selection capable of intercepting bass from the surface to the bottom, depending on their migration stage.
A key bait was the Rapala X-Rap Pop, featuring the exclusive counter-rotating blades that spin in opposite directions, creating surface attention with even the slightest movement.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A key bait was the Rapala X-Rap Pop, featuring the exclusive counter-rotating blades that spin in opposite directions, creating surface attention with even the slightest movement.
For lethargic bass, he used the Storm Arashi Vibe, with a subtle vibration and sound that is ideal for slow retrieves.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For lethargic bass, he used the Storm Arashi Vibe, with a subtle vibration and sound that is ideal for slow retrieves.
For subtle bites, he used a wacky-rigged stick worm, rigged on a No. 2 VMC Neko Hook, with a 6mm VMC Crossover Ring, designed for Neko and Wacky rigging.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For subtle bites, he used a wacky-rigged stick worm, rigged on a No. 2 VMC Neko Hook, with a 6mm VMC Crossover Ring, designed for Neko and Wacky rigging.
<b>John Crews Jr. (1st; 75-4)</b><br> John Crews’ key baits were worms and a bladed jig.
Photo: Andy Crawford - John Crews Jr. (1st; 75-4)
John Crews’ key baits were worms and a bladed jig.
He used a Missile Baits Quiver Worm, rigged on a 3/0 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hybrid Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He used a Missile Baits Quiver Worm, rigged on a 3/0 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Hybrid Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
Crews also used a Missile Baits prototype worm will be released this spring.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Crews also used a Missile Baits prototype worm will be released this spring.
A Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer, with a Missile Baits D Bomb trailer, was another top lure.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer, with a Missile Baits D Bomb trailer, was another top lure.
<p>Some proven baits, and others not yet available. That’s what it took for Crews and others to make it to Championship Sunday. To be in position to win, like them, you’ve got to be on the cutting edge with the latest tackle and baits. Get your game on, and order what you need to win at <a href=
Photo: Andy Crawford -

Some proven baits, and others not yet available. That’s what it took for Crews and others to make it to Championship Sunday. To be in position to win, like them, you’ve got to be on the cutting edge with the latest tackle and baits. Get your game on, and order what you need to win at Basspro.com.