Lures of the Top 12 at Atchafalaya

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A come-from-behind win by a local favorite. Tales of catching redfish, flounder and myriad saltwater species. The final event of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open season featured drama and lots of swamp magic from the top anglers. <p> <em>All Captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Photo: James Overstreet - A come-from-behind win by a local favorite. Tales of catching redfish, flounder and myriad saltwater species. The final event of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open season featured drama and lots of swamp magic from the top anglers. All Captions: Craig Lamb
If you want to learn how to punch mats with heavy tackle this is the place. The Atchafalaya Basin spreads across 1 million acres of south Louisiana. Most of it looks fishy enough to hold a bass with every cast.
Photo: James Overstreet - If you want to learn how to punch mats with heavy tackle this is the place. The Atchafalaya Basin spreads across 1 million acres of south Louisiana. Most of it looks fishy enough to hold a bass with every cast.
CLIFF CROCHET<br> The Cajun Baby put on a show on Day 3 after catching a limit weighing 18 pounds, 4 ounces to close out the win. Cliff Crochet got it done with a Luck-E-Strike 4.5 inch Ringmaster, black with blue flake. Crochet rigged the creature bait to a 6/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook and 1 1/2-ounce weight.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - CLIFF CROCHET The Cajun Baby put on a show on Day 3 after catching a limit weighing 18 pounds, 4 ounces to close out the win. Cliff Crochet got it done with a Luck-E-Strike 4.5 inch Ringmaster, black with blue flake. Crochet rigged the creature bait to a 6/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook and 1 1/2-ounce weight.
“Fishing it really slow was the deal,” Crochet said. “Not so much covering water but really slowing down the lure presentation since the fish got hard to catch.” A mix of hydrilla and water lily provided the key setup for mat punching with the heavy-duty rig.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - “Fishing it really slow was the deal,” Crochet said. “Not so much covering water but really slowing down the lure presentation since the fish got hard to catch.” A mix of hydrilla and water lily provided the key setup for mat punching with the heavy-duty rig.
GREG HACKNEY<br> “I was fishing an area with so much habitat that I couldn’t cover it all with plastic baits,” said Greg Hackney, the runner-up with 42-4. “Most of the fish I caught were suspended, so it made sense to use a crankbait.”
Photo: Ronnie Moore - GREG HACKNEY “I was fishing an area with so much habitat that I couldn’t cover it all with plastic baits,” said Greg Hackney, the runner-up with 42-4. “Most of the fish I caught were suspended, so it made sense to use a crankbait.”
Hackney covered water with a Strike King KVD 2.5, catching 13 of 15 keepers on the chartreuse crankbait. “I caught everything around cypress trees, logs and stumps, from 1 to 5 feet.” He caught a couple of key fish on this 3/8-ounce Strike King Greg Hackney Hack Attack Jig, with a 4-inch black/blue Strike King Rage Craw.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Hackney covered water with a Strike King KVD 2.5, catching 13 of 15 keepers on the chartreuse crankbait. “I caught everything around cypress trees, logs and stumps, from 1 to 5 feet.” He caught a couple of key fish on this 3/8-ounce Strike King Greg Hackney Hack Attack Jig, with a 4-inch black/blue Strike King Rage Craw.
CODY BIRD<br> Third-place finisher Cody Bird caught 42-2 on this square bill crankbait. “Initially I had a lot of trouble keeping it from getting hung up in the hydrilla and other vegetation,” said the Texan. What to do?
Photo: Ronnie Moore - CODY BIRD Third-place finisher Cody Bird caught 42-2 on this square bill crankbait. “Initially I had a lot of trouble keeping it from getting hung up in the hydrilla and other vegetation,” said the Texan. What to do?
Take this drill and bit and shave the lip. “I sanded off about half the bill to make it thinner,” he said. “It ran a lot better.” The trick allowed the bait to run through 3 feet of water or less, coming back to the boat with more bass than grass on the hooks.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Take this drill and bit and shave the lip. “I sanded off about half the bill to make it thinner,” he said. “It ran a lot better.” The trick allowed the bait to run through 3 feet of water or less, coming back to the boat with more bass than grass on the hooks.
DAVID CAVELL<br> David Cavell caught 39-15 with lures perfect for fishing heavy cover. For covering water he used a plastic frog. Vertical presentations required switching to a plastic creature bait for flipping around laydowns.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - DAVID CAVELL David Cavell caught 39-15 with lures perfect for fishing heavy cover. For covering water he used a plastic frog. Vertical presentations required switching to a plastic creature bait for flipping around laydowns.
The Louisianan used this Scooby Doo frog made by Pro Z Baits. He fished the topwater over the top of heavily matted grass to coax strikes.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - The Louisianan used this Scooby Doo frog made by Pro Z Baits. He fished the topwater over the top of heavily matted grass to coax strikes.
For flipping he relied on this 3.5-inch Missile Baits Craw Father, Ballistic Blue. He rigged it to a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook and 3/16-ounce Reins TG Slip Sinker.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - For flipping he relied on this 3.5-inch Missile Baits Craw Father, Ballistic Blue. He rigged it to a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook and 3/16-ounce Reins TG Slip Sinker.
Cavell used this Black Label Tackle Richochet in open water. “I cranked it to bounce off submerged trees and ripped it through the grass for reaction strikes,” he said, of the lure designed and made by Cliff Pace.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Cavell used this Black Label Tackle Richochet in open water. “I cranked it to bounce off submerged trees and ripped it through the grass for reaction strikes,” he said, of the lure designed and made by Cliff Pace.
TOBY HARTSELL<br> To finish fifth with 39-14, Toby Hartsell used two soft plastic baits made by Strike King Lures. Those were a 4.5-inch Rage Craw and Coffee Tube, both June Bug. For both baits he used 3/16-ounce weights and 4/0 hooks. “I flipped cypress trees all week,” he said of his lone pattern.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - TOBY HARTSELL To finish fifth with 39-14, Toby Hartsell used two soft plastic baits made by Strike King Lures. Those were a 4.5-inch Rage Craw and Coffee Tube, both June Bug. For both baits he used 3/16-ounce weights and 4/0 hooks. “I flipped cypress trees all week,” he said of his lone pattern.
DEREK HUDNALL<br> Derek Hudnall caught 39-9 to finish sixth place on multiple different colors of the Missile Baits D Bomb. “I kept four rods on the deck, using different size weights depending on the thickness of the cover.”
Photo: Ronnie Moore - DEREK HUDNALL Derek Hudnall caught 39-9 to finish sixth place on multiple different colors of the Missile Baits D Bomb. “I kept four rods on the deck, using different size weights depending on the thickness of the cover.”
A 1/2-ounce weight comprised the main rig. For the 4-inch bait he used a Trapper Tackle 4/0 Heavy Gauge Wide Gap Hook. Black/red, watermelon red, GP3 and California Love were primary colors.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - A 1/2-ounce weight comprised the main rig. For the 4-inch bait he used a Trapper Tackle 4/0 Heavy Gauge Wide Gap Hook. Black/red, watermelon red, GP3 and California Love were primary colors.
FRED ROUMBANIS<br> Flipping heavy cover kept Fred Roumbanis in the lead on the first two days. He settled for seventh place and 39-7 after the area went dry on Day 3.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - FRED ROUMBANIS Flipping heavy cover kept Fred Roumbanis in the lead on the first two days. He settled for seventh place and 39-7 after the area went dry on Day 3.
Roumbanis used a 4.5-inch Gene Larew Lures HooDaddy Junior, Blackberry Sapphire. Alternatively, he used a Gene Larew Punch Out Craw, Black Blue. He used 1-ounce weights for both baits, with a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu Straight Shank Hook.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Roumbanis used a 4.5-inch Gene Larew Lures HooDaddy Junior, Blackberry Sapphire. Alternatively, he used a Gene Larew Punch Out Craw, Black Blue. He used 1-ounce weights for both baits, with a 3/0 or 4/0 Gamakatsu Straight Shank Hook.
TRAVIS KELEHAN<br> Travis Kelehan caught 37-4 and finished eighth on the strength of three baits. Those were a spinnerbait, jig and creature bait.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - TRAVIS KELEHAN Travis Kelehan caught 37-4 and finished eighth on the strength of three baits. Those were a spinnerbait, jig and creature bait.
For heavy cover he used a 4-inch Zoom Z Hawg, Watermelon Candy, with chartreuse dye applied for added strike appeal. Completing the rig was a 5/16-ounce Kajun Boss Tungsten Weight and Mustad UltraPoint KVD Grip-Pin Hook.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - For heavy cover he used a 4-inch Zoom Z Hawg, Watermelon Candy, with chartreuse dye applied for added strike appeal. Completing the rig was a 5/16-ounce Kajun Boss Tungsten Weight and Mustad UltraPoint KVD Grip-Pin Hook.
Another heavy cover lure was this 1/2-ounce Cajun Boss Jig with a Strike King Rage Twin Tale Menace. Note the green dye, again applied for added strike appeal in the dingy water.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Another heavy cover lure was this 1/2-ounce Cajun Boss Jig with a Strike King Rage Twin Tale Menace. Note the green dye, again applied for added strike appeal in the dingy water.
For covering water Kelehan used this 3/8-ounce Cajun Boss Spinnerbait, sporting gold willowleaf and silver Colorado tandem blades. He added a green pumpkin Mister Twister Twin Tail trailer to increase strike potential.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - For covering water Kelehan used this 3/8-ounce Cajun Boss Spinnerbait, sporting gold willowleaf and silver Colorado tandem blades. He added a green pumpkin Mister Twister Twin Tail trailer to increase strike potential.
BILLY BILLEAUD<br> Billy Billeaud caught 37-1 to finish ninth at the Atchafalaya Basin. He used these three lures to make the Top 12. “I had to lighten up the weights and slow down the presentation as the tournament progressed,” he said.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - BILLY BILLEAUD Billy Billeaud caught 37-1 to finish ninth at the Atchafalaya Basin. He used these three lures to make the Top 12. “I had to lighten up the weights and slow down the presentation as the tournament progressed,” he said.
This 3.5-inch Zoom Lures Z Hawg, June Bug, got lots of action with a 3/4-ounce weight and 4/0 hook.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - This 3.5-inch Zoom Lures Z Hawg, June Bug, got lots of action with a 3/4-ounce weight and 4/0 hook.
For flipping heavy cover Billeaud chose a 1/2- or 3/4-ounce Falcon Lures Jig, green pumpkin/chartreuse, with a Zoom Super Chunk, green pumpkin, with chartreuse dye added to the tail.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - For flipping heavy cover Billeaud chose a 1/2- or 3/4-ounce Falcon Lures Jig, green pumpkin/chartreuse, with a Zoom Super Chunk, green pumpkin, with chartreuse dye added to the tail.
Billeaud on Day 3 used this lighter weight 3/16-ounce weight and 3/0 Owner Wide Gap Plus Hook. He matched it with a V&M Baits Swamp Donkey. “The fish didn’t want anything heavier on the final day,” he noted.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Billeaud on Day 3 used this lighter weight 3/16-ounce weight and 3/0 Owner Wide Gap Plus Hook. He matched it with a V&M Baits Swamp Donkey. “The fish didn’t want anything heavier on the final day,” he noted.
BRANDON LEE<br> “I targeted cypress trees exclusively,” said Brandon Lee, the 10th place finisher with 35-15. “I used a spinnerbait early and then after the sun came up switched to a soft plastic rig.”
Photo: Ronnie Moore - BRANDON LEE “I targeted cypress trees exclusively,” said Brandon Lee, the 10th place finisher with 35-15. “I used a spinnerbait early and then after the sun came up switched to a soft plastic rig.”
He used a 1/4-ounce War Eagle Custom Lures Spinnerbait, featuring double willowleaf blades (gold, silver), with a chartreuse and white skirt.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - He used a 1/4-ounce War Eagle Custom Lures Spinnerbait, featuring double willowleaf blades (gold, silver), with a chartreuse and white skirt.
With the sun up the action slowed. Lee switched to this Berkley Power Bait Chigger Craw rigged to a 4/0 straight shank hook and 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - With the sun up the action slowed. Lee switched to this Berkley Power Bait Chigger Craw rigged to a 4/0 straight shank hook and 1/4-ounce tungsten weight.
CHRIS BABIN<br> “I caught all my fish on one bait, punching through hyacinth with mixed grass,” said Chris Babin, the eleventh-place finisher with 34-2. Relying on a combination of two types of vegetation was a common theme of the week. So was using heavy baits to punch through the surface and reach the strike zone.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - CHRIS BABIN “I caught all my fish on one bait, punching through hyacinth with mixed grass,” said Chris Babin, the eleventh-place finisher with 34-2. Relying on a combination of two types of vegetation was a common theme of the week. So was using heavy baits to punch through the surface and reach the strike zone.
Babin did that with this rig anchored by a 1 1/4-ounce tungsten weight. To that he rigged a 4/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook. The juice came from this Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver, California 420 in color. And note the stopper used to secure the heavy-weight to the lure.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - Babin did that with this rig anchored by a 1 1/4-ounce tungsten weight. To that he rigged a 4/0 Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Hook. The juice came from this Reaction Innovations Kinky Beaver, California 420 in color. And note the stopper used to secure the heavy-weight to the lure.
CLIFF PACE<br> Square bill crankbaits are designed to cause reaction strikes by deflecting off objects like logs, trees and rock, noted Cliff Pace, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic champion. He finished 12th at the Atchafalaya Basin using a bait of his own design.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - CLIFF PACE Square bill crankbaits are designed to cause reaction strikes by deflecting off objects like logs, trees and rock, noted Cliff Pace, the 2013 Bassmaster Classic champion. He finished 12th at the Atchafalaya Basin using a bait of his own design.
“What makes this square bill different is you can throw it into heavy cover, crank it really fast and not get hung up,” he said. “It works really well in low water.” The bait is a Black Label Richochet Junior, measuring 2 1/4 inches and weighing 3/8 ounce.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - “What makes this square bill different is you can throw it into heavy cover, crank it really fast and not get hung up,” he said. “It works really well in low water.” The bait is a Black Label Richochet Junior, measuring 2 1/4 inches and weighing 3/8 ounce.
In heavy cover he switched to a J&M Lures 3.5-inch J-Bug in the new Delta Melon color. “It works really good in tidal water,” noted Pace. He rigged the plastic to an Elite Tungsten 5/16-once Flipping Weight with 4/0 Eagle Claw Straight Shank Flipping Hook.
Photo: Ronnie Moore - In heavy cover he switched to a J&M Lures 3.5-inch J-Bug in the new Delta Melon color. “It works really good in tidal water,” noted Pace. He rigged the plastic to an Elite Tungsten 5/16-once Flipping Weight with 4/0 Eagle Claw Straight Shank Flipping Hook.