How-To

Top lures at Lake Champlain 2021

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As the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season neared the end, why not make the winning come down to the wire? It happened on Championship Sunday at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. The lead changed multiple times throughout the final round at the eighth of nine events. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Photo: James Overstreet - As the 2021 Bassmaster Elite Series season neared the end, why not make the winning come down to the wire? It happened on Championship Sunday at the Guaranteed Rate Bassmaster Elite at Lake Champlain. The lead changed multiple times throughout the final round at the eighth of nine events. All captions: Craig Lamb
“I pulled up to a buoy cable this afternoon right before time to come in and saw two fish on my (Garmin) LiveScope,” said Bryan Schmitt. “I threw that drop shot in there, felt the bite and didn’t really think it was a bass. But it turns out it was a bass — and without that fish I don’t win.” And with that, the 3 1/2-pound smallmouth sealed the win for the Maryland pro, also giving him an 8-ounce margin of victory. Not surprisingly, drop shots and related rigs appear in the lure lineup, from top to bottom. Check ‘em out, rig up and catch more smallmouth and largemouth.
Photo: James Overstreet - “I pulled up to a buoy cable this afternoon right before time to come in and saw two fish on my (Garmin) LiveScope,” said Bryan Schmitt. “I threw that drop shot in there, felt the bite and didn’t really think it was a bass. But it turns out it was a bass — and without that fish I don’t win.” And with that, the 3 1/2-pound smallmouth sealed the win for the Maryland pro, also giving him an 8-ounce margin of victory. Not surprisingly, drop shots and related rigs appear in the lure lineup, from top to bottom. Check ‘em out, rig up and catch more smallmouth and largemouth.
<b>Justin Hamner (10th; 73-5) </b><br> Bridges and cuts in the Inland Sea area proved productive for Justin Hamner.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Justin Hamner (10th; 73-5) Bridges and cuts in the Inland Sea area proved productive for Justin Hamner.
Hamner rotated through a drop shot, Ned rig and jerkbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Hamner rotated through a drop shot, Ned rig and jerkbait.
For reaction strikes, Hamner used a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For reaction strikes, Hamner used a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait.
He rigged a NetBait STH Finesse Series The Drifter Worm on a No. 4 hook with 1/4- or 3/8-ounce weights.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He rigged a NetBait STH Finesse Series The Drifter Worm on a No. 4 hook with 1/4- or 3/8-ounce weights.
Hamner fashioned a Ned rig with a Zoom Super Fluke Jr., rigged on a 3/8-ounce jighead.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Hamner fashioned a Ned rig with a Zoom Super Fluke Jr., rigged on a 3/8-ounce jighead.
<b>Caleb Sumrall (9th; 73-10) </b><br> Making long casts with a topwater bait was essential for Caleb Sumrall’s success on Lake Champlain.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Caleb Sumrall (9th; 73-10) Making long casts with a topwater bait was essential for Caleb Sumrall’s success on Lake Champlain.
A Spro Essential Series E Pop 80 was a key bait for Sumrall. The 3-inch popper-style bait weighs 7/16-ounce and features a loud internal rattle for added strike appeal.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A Spro Essential Series E Pop 80 was a key bait for Sumrall. The 3-inch popper-style bait weighs 7/16-ounce and features a loud internal rattle for added strike appeal.
Sumrall switched out the stock hardware with No. 3 Gamakatsu G Finesse MH Hooks.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Sumrall switched out the stock hardware with No. 3 Gamakatsu G Finesse MH Hooks.
<b>Lee Livesay (8th; 73-10) </b><br> Lee Livesay stayed with confidence baits to keep him in the hunt at Lake Champlain.
Photo: Shane Durrance - Lee Livesay (8th; 73-10) Lee Livesay stayed with confidence baits to keep him in the hunt at Lake Champlain.
Livesay used topwaters and a drop-shot rig.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Livesay used topwaters and a drop-shot rig.
A key choice was a 6th Sense SplashBack Popper, featuring a unique V-keel shape and flat-sided shape.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A key choice was a 6th Sense SplashBack Popper, featuring a unique V-keel shape and flat-sided shape.
6th Sense Dogma walking topwater bait was another top pick for topwater action.
Photo: Andy Crawford - 6th Sense Dogma walking topwater bait was another top pick for topwater action.
Another choice was a NetBait STH Finesse Series The Drifter Worm, rigged on a No. 1 hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Another choice was a NetBait STH Finesse Series The Drifter Worm, rigged on a No. 1 hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
<b>Patrick Walters (7th; 74-10) </b><br> Patrick Walters spent his time in the Inland Sea region, focusing on grass edges near flats and channels.
Photo: Craig Lamb - Patrick Walters (7th; 74-10) Patrick Walters spent his time in the Inland Sea region, focusing on grass edges near flats and channels.
A pair of Zoom Super Fluke Jr. swimbaits were the primary baits for Patrick Walters.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A pair of Zoom Super Fluke Jr. swimbaits were the primary baits for Patrick Walters.
He rigged it on a drop shot with a No. 4 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, and a 3/8-ounce weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He rigged it on a drop shot with a No. 4 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, and a 3/8-ounce weight.
Walters also used the Super Fluke Jr. on a 3/16-ounce BOSS Outdoors jig head.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Walters also used the Super Fluke Jr. on a 3/16-ounce BOSS Outdoors jig head.
<b>Destin DeMarion (6th; 76-2) </b><br> Destin DeMarion fished throughout the Inland Sea for best success on Lake Champlain.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Destin DeMarion (6th; 76-2) Destin DeMarion fished throughout the Inland Sea for best success on Lake Champlain.
DeMarion rolled with a trio of baits to cover the water column.
Photo: Andy Crawford - DeMarion rolled with a trio of baits to cover the water column.
For reaction bites he used a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - For reaction bites he used a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait.
<p>He made a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 2 Owner Mosquito Hook, with a 3/8-ounce <a href=
Photo: Andy Crawford - He made a drop shot with a Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged on a No. 2 Owner Mosquito Hook, with a 3/8-ounce Angler Tungsten Weight.
DeMarion made a wacky rig with a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 2/0 Owner Wacky Hook.
Photo: Andy Crawford - DeMarion made a wacky rig with a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 2/0 Owner Wacky Hook.
<b>Austin Felix (5th; 76-6) </b><br> Austin Felix had the benefit of lure options on Lake Champlain.
Photo: Dalton Tumblin - Austin Felix (5th; 76-6) Austin Felix had the benefit of lure options on Lake Champlain.
Felix mixed it up with a spybait, weightless wacky rig and a drop shot.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Felix mixed it up with a spybait, weightless wacky rig and a drop shot.
He made the drop shot with a 4-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a No. 2 Ryugi Fog Shot Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce Swagger Tungsten Weight. He used the same size hook and Senko for the weightless wacky rig.
Photo: Andy Crawford - He made the drop shot with a 4-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a No. 2 Ryugi Fog Shot Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/2-ounce Swagger Tungsten Weight. He used the same size hook and Senko for the weightless wacky rig.
Felix also uses a Duo Realis Spinbait Spybait, switching out the hardware with No. 5 Ryugi Pierce Treble Dagger Hooks, which he said are lighter and stronger.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Felix also uses a Duo Realis Spinbait Spybait, switching out the hardware with No. 5 Ryugi Pierce Treble Dagger Hooks, which he said are lighter and stronger.
<b>Seth Feider (4th; 76-14) </b><br> Seth Feider concentrated on areas featuring a mix of vegetation.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Seth Feider (4th; 76-14) Seth Feider concentrated on areas featuring a mix of vegetation.
Feider alternated through a wide variety of baits to cover all the bases.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Feider alternated through a wide variety of baits to cover all the bases.
An 5/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Stealth Feider Jig was a top choice.
Photo: Andy Crawford - An 5/8-ounce Outkast Tackle Stealth Feider Jig was a top choice.
So was a drop shot made with a Z-Man Trick ShotZ, on a No. 4 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, with a 3/8-ounce WOO! Tungsten Weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - So was a drop shot made with a Z-Man Trick ShotZ, on a No. 4 VMC Finesse Neko Hook, with a 3/8-ounce WOO! Tungsten Weight.
Feider also used a 3/32-ounce Feider Fly.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Feider also used a 3/32-ounce Feider Fly.
<b>Chris Zaldain (3rd; 76-15) </b><br> Diving gulls tipped Chris Zaldain off to the presence of alewives in his area.
Photo: Steve Bowman - Chris Zaldain (3rd; 76-15) Diving gulls tipped Chris Zaldain off to the presence of alewives in his area.
Zaldain wisely chose baits that matched that baitfish, and other lures following the feeding frenzy.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Zaldain wisely chose baits that matched that baitfish, and other lures following the feeding frenzy.
A Megabass Dog-X Diamante was a key bait when the bass pushed the alewives to the surface.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A Megabass Dog-X Diamante was a key bait when the bass pushed the alewives to the surface.
So was a Megabass 6-inch Magdraft swimbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - So was a Megabass 6-inch Magdraft swimbait.
When the topwater action subsided, Zaldain searched for the bass with a 1/5-ounce Trokar Tungsten Pro-V Finesse Ned Rig Jig Head, with a Ned-style worm.
Photo: Andy Crawford - When the topwater action subsided, Zaldain searched for the bass with a 1/5-ounce Trokar Tungsten Pro-V Finesse Ned Rig Jig Head, with a Ned-style worm.
<b>Keith Combs (2nd; 77-13) </b><br> Keith Combs made a charge at the win, even momentarily taking the lead, only to settle for 2nd place.
Photo: Shane Durrance - Keith Combs (2nd; 77-13) Keith Combs made a charge at the win, even momentarily taking the lead, only to settle for 2nd place.
Combs mixed it up with a variety of soft plastics and hard baits.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Combs mixed it up with a variety of soft plastics and hard baits.
A primary choice was a Strike King 300 Series Jerkbait.
Photo: Andy Crawford - A primary choice was a Strike King 300 Series Jerkbait.
Combs also used a Strike King Sexy Dog.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Combs also used a Strike King Sexy Dog.
<b>Bryan Schmitt (1st; 78-5)</b><br> Bryan Schmitt relied on his knowledge of the lake, and his expertise fishing for largemouth and smallmouth. A Missile Baits Quiver worm accounted for the bulk of his total weight of 78 pounds, 5 ounces.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Bryan Schmitt (1st; 78-5) Bryan Schmitt relied on his knowledge of the lake, and his expertise fishing for largemouth and smallmouth. A Missile Baits Quiver worm accounted for the bulk of his total weight of 78 pounds, 5 ounces.
Schmitt rotated through a variety of soft plastics for his run-and-gun strategy.
Photo: Andy Crawford - Schmitt rotated through a variety of soft plastics for his run-and-gun strategy.
On a spinning rig he used a Missile Baits Ned Bomb, on a 1/4-ounce jighead.
Photo: Andy Crawford - On a spinning rig he used a Missile Baits Ned Bomb, on a 1/4-ounce jighead.
Schmitt used a Missile Baits D Bomb, in the new Texas Toast pattern, with a 5/0 FPP Hayabusa Straight Shank Hook, and a 5/16-ounce Reins Tungsten Weight. 
Photo: Andy Crawford - Schmitt used a Missile Baits D Bomb, in the new Texas Toast pattern, with a 5/0 FPP Hayabusa Straight Shank Hook, and a 5/16-ounce Reins Tungsten Weight.
On a casting combo was the winning bait, a Missile Baits Quiver Worm, Cherry Blossom, rigged on a 4/0 Hayabusa WRM959 Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/8-ounce Reins Tungsten weight.
Photo: Andy Crawford - On a casting combo was the winning bait, a Missile Baits Quiver Worm, Cherry Blossom, rigged on a 4/0 Hayabusa WRM959 Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/8-ounce Reins Tungsten weight.