Top lures at Oneida Lake 2021

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Oneida Lake’s smallmouth population was spending the summer where it always does, which is around offshore rockpiles covered in aquatic vegetation. That meant deploying baits to cover the entire water column at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Northern Open.
Photo: Shane Durrance - Oneida Lake’s smallmouth population was spending the summer where it always does, which is around offshore rockpiles covered in aquatic vegetation. That meant deploying baits to cover the entire water column at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Northern Open.
Bill Perkins, a skilled bass club angler from Rochester, N.Y., earned the win by using classic summertime offshore baits. Check out his selection of baits, and those used by the top finishers.
Photo: Shane Durrance - Bill Perkins, a skilled bass club angler from Rochester, N.Y., earned the win by using classic summertime offshore baits. Check out his selection of baits, and those used by the top finishers.
<b>Jacob Powroznik (10th; 38-3)</b><br> Jacob Powroznik used a V&M Baits Drop Shad Worm, rigged on a 1/0 Dropshot Wide Gap Hook, with 3/8- 1/4-ounce weights, depending on wind speed.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Jacob Powroznik (10th; 38-3) Jacob Powroznik used a V&M Baits Drop Shad Worm, rigged on a 1/0 Dropshot Wide Gap Hook, with 3/8- 1/4-ounce weights, depending on wind speed.
<b>Brandon Palaniuk (9th; 42-7) </b><br> Brandon Palaniuk used a duo of drop shot rigs with success on Oneida Lake.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Brandon Palaniuk (9th; 42-7) Brandon Palaniuk used a duo of drop shot rigs with success on Oneida Lake.
He used a 4-inch X Zone Lures Pro Series Slammer, rigged on a No. 2 drop shot hook, with a 1/2-ounce VMC Tungsten Tear Drop Weight. Using the same size hook and weight, he made another drop shot rig with a 3.25-inch X Zone Finesse Slammer.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - He used a 4-inch X Zone Lures Pro Series Slammer, rigged on a No. 2 drop shot hook, with a 1/2-ounce VMC Tungsten Tear Drop Weight. Using the same size hook and weight, he made another drop shot rig with a 3.25-inch X Zone Finesse Slammer.
<b>Andy Hribar (8th; 44-0) </b><br> A 1/2-ounce Z-Maj Chatterbait Jackhammer with a Yamamoto Zako was a top choice for Andy Hribar.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Andy Hribar (8th; 44-0) A 1/2-ounce Z-Maj Chatterbait Jackhammer with a Yamamoto Zako was a top choice for Andy Hribar.
Alternatively, he made a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 2 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, with a 5/16-ounce weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Alternatively, he made a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 2 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, with a 5/16-ounce weight.
<b>Liam Blake (7th; 45-9) </b><br> Liam Blake’s top lure was a Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 2/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Liam Blake (7th; 45-9) Liam Blake’s top lure was a Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 2/0 Gamakatsu EWG Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
<b>Greg Mansfield (6th; 45-14) </b><br> Greg Mansfield’s created a flipping rig with a 6th Sense Fishing Prawn 4.2, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ringed Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/4-ounce weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Greg Mansfield (6th; 45-14) Greg Mansfield’s created a flipping rig with a 6th Sense Fishing Prawn 4.2, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ringed Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/4-ounce weight.
Mansfield also used a Z-Man TRD, rigged on 1/4- or 1/5-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jigheads.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Mansfield also used a Z-Man TRD, rigged on 1/4- or 1/5-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jigheads.
<b>Lucas Murphy (5th; 46-13) </b><br> A Strike King Pro Model Series Crankbait produced strikes for actively feeding smallmouth for Lucas Murphy.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Lucas Murphy (5th; 46-13) A Strike King Pro Model Series Crankbait produced strikes for actively feeding smallmouth for Lucas Murphy.
Murphy made a drop shot with a 4.25-inch Strike King Dream Shot, rigged on a No. 2 Gamakatsu Spilt Shot/Drop Shot Hook, with 1/4- or 3/8-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Drop Shot Weights, depending on wind speed. Using the same size hook and weight, he also used a Strike King 3X ElazTech Baby Z Too Soft Jerkbait.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Murphy made a drop shot with a 4.25-inch Strike King Dream Shot, rigged on a No. 2 Gamakatsu Spilt Shot/Drop Shot Hook, with 1/4- or 3/8-ounce Strike King Tour Grade Drop Shot Weights, depending on wind speed. Using the same size hook and weight, he also used a Strike King 3X ElazTech Baby Z Too Soft Jerkbait.
<b>Michael Iaconelli (4th; 47-10) </b><br> Michael Iaconelli’s key bait was a drop shot, made with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 1 VMC Ike Approved Drop Shot Hook, with VMC Tungsten Weights ranging from 1/4- to 1/2-ounces, depending on wind speed. A long leader was key.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Michael Iaconelli (4th; 47-10) Michael Iaconelli’s key bait was a drop shot, made with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 1 VMC Ike Approved Drop Shot Hook, with VMC Tungsten Weights ranging from 1/4- to 1/2-ounces, depending on wind speed. A long leader was key.
Iaconelli matched the size of the crawfish being fed upon by the smallmouth, with a 3/8-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Micro Football Jig, with the new Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil’ Trooper.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Iaconelli matched the size of the crawfish being fed upon by the smallmouth, with a 3/8-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Micro Football Jig, with the new Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Lil’ Trooper.
For bait chasers, Iaconelli matched the size and color of perch with the new Rapala DT8.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - For bait chasers, Iaconelli matched the size and color of perch with the new Rapala DT8.
<b>Sam George (3rd; 49-8) </b><br> A top choice for Sam George was a Strike King Dream Shot, rigged on a No. 1 Trokar Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Sam George (3rd; 49-8) A top choice for Sam George was a Strike King Dream Shot, rigged on a No. 1 Trokar Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/4-ounce weight.
Using the same size hook and weight, he also used a Strike King Rage Swimmer Swimbait.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Using the same size hook and weight, he also used a Strike King Rage Swimmer Swimbait.
<b>AJ Slegona Jr. (2nd; 50-2) </b><br> A.J. Slegona Jr. chose a 1/2-ounce Keitech Football Jig, with a Poor Boys Baits Erie Darter.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - AJ Slegona Jr. (2nd; 50-2) A.J. Slegona Jr. chose a 1/2-ounce Keitech Football Jig, with a Poor Boys Baits Erie Darter.
He made a Carolina rig with a Zoom Speed Craw, rigged on a 3/0 Lazer Trokar Flippin Hook, with a 5/8-ounce WOO! Tungsten Weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - He made a Carolina rig with a Zoom Speed Craw, rigged on a 3/0 Lazer Trokar Flippin Hook, with a 5/8-ounce WOO! Tungsten Weight.
<b>Bill Perkins (1st; 52-3) </b><br> A Ned rig and drop shot rig were key baits for Bill Perkins.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Bill Perkins (1st; 52-3) A Ned rig and drop shot rig were key baits for Bill Perkins.
A top choice was a Z-Man TRD, rigged on a 1/6-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jighead.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - A top choice was a Z-Man TRD, rigged on a 1/6-ounce Z-Man Finesse ShroomZ Jighead.
Perkins also used a Keitech Easy Shiner, rigged on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce drop shot weight.
Photo: Justin Brouillard - Perkins also used a Keitech Easy Shiner, rigged on a No. 1 Gamakatsu G-Finesse Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce drop shot weight.