Photo: Kyle Jessie - Lake Onieda was a major player in the 2021 Basspro.com Bassmaster Northern Open at 1000 Islands. Well over half of the Top 10 made the run into the rough waters of the lake versus staying in the St. Lawrence River. Photo: Andy Crawford - Cory Johnston got the big win at 1000 Islands, after numerous close calls on the famous fishery. Johnston was well on pace to pass the 100 pound mark if the event were to be a four-day event. See all the baits used by the top anglers in the Basspro.com Bassmaster Open.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Brad Leuthner (10th; 57-8) Leuthner used a pair of spinnerbaits as well as a black hair jig. Photo: Andy Crawford - Leuthner used a pair of 1/2-ounce Bassman Spinnerbaits. One with painted blades and one with traditional nickel and gold blades. Photo: Andy Crawford - The Minnesota angler paired an unnamed swimbait and twin tail grub as trailers.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A 3/32-ounce Outcast Tackle Feider Fly was another player for Leuthner. Photo: Andy Crawford - Jonathan Kelley (9th; 63-15) Kelley, who qualified for the 2022 Bassmaster Elite Series, used a three-pronged approach of a drop shot, Carolina rig and a finesse jig. Photo: Andy Crawford - Kelley's drop-shot setup consisted of a 1/2-ounce Eco Pro Tungsten Full Contact Drop Shot Weight paired with an X-Zone Pro Series Finesse Slammer.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A 1/2-ounce Riot Baits Tungsten Lil' Creeper Jig with a twin-tailed trailer was another weapon for Kelley. Photo: Andy Crawford - Kelley also utilized a Carolina Rig with a 3/4-ounce to 1-ounce weight paired with a numerous different baits. The former collegiate angler emphasized how important it was to change baits and colors. Photo: Andy Crawford - Dean Meckes (8th; 63-15) Meckes utilized a 1/2-ounce homemade jig.
Photo: Andy Crawford - The hometown angler paired his homemade jig with a Z-Man Finesse TRD. Photo: Andy Crawford - Chris Johnston (7th; 71-3) Johnston relied on a prototype bait that he and his brother Cory are working on with Spro. The bait was fished on a drop shot as well as a Ned rig. Photo: Andy Crawford - Gary Adkins (6th; 72-5) Adkins used a pair of different tubes as well as a Z-Man Finesse TRD.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Adkins first tube setup was a Get Bit Baits Tube with a 3/8-ounce tube head.Photo: Andy Crawford - His second tube setup was a Howie's Tackle Tube, also paired with a 3/8-ounce tube head. Photo: Andy Crawford - Adkins third choice was a Z-Man Finesse TRD paired with a 1/4-ounce jighead.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Timmy Thompkins (5th, 72-5) Thompkins utilized a pair of drop shots to achieve a top five finish.Photo: Andy Crawford - The South Carolina angler rotated between two different drop shots depending on the amount of wind. Both were paired with a Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm. Photo: Andy Crawford - One setup was anchored by a 3/8-ounce weight and the other had a 1/2-ounce weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Coop Gallant (4th; 73-6) Day 2 leader Coop Gallant solely relied on a drop shot to secure a fourth-place finish. Photo: Andy Crawford - Gallant used a 1/2-ounce drop shot weight with a No. 2 Gamakatsu Drop Shot Hook and a Set the Hook Bait Co. Drifter. Photo: Andy Crawford - Adam Neu (3rd; 76-6) Much like his travel partner, Gary Adkins, Neu also relied heavily on a tube.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Neu rotated between two different colored Howie's Tackle Shorty Tubes. Photo: Andy Crawford - Both tubes were paired with a 3/8-ounce tube head. Photo: Andy Crawford - Cal Climpson (2nd; 77-3) Climpson, who is close friends with the Johnston brothers, was able to get a few of the prototype Spro baits that Chris Johnston was using.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Climpson used the prototype Spro bait on a drop shot, with a 1/2-ounce weight and a No.1 Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook. Photo: Andy Crawford - The Canadian angler also mixed in an unnamed 2.5-inch tube with a 1/4-ounce tube head. Photo: Andy Crawford - Cory Johnston (1st; 78-0) As you may have guessed, Cory Johnston also used the same prototype Spro soft plastic bait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Johnston utilized the new prototype bait on a drop shot with a 1/2-ounce weight.
