bassmaster classic

Top lures of the 2024 Classic

See the lures the top anglers used at the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors.

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Photography by
Dalton Tumblin
Photography by
Chase Sansom
Photography by
Kyle Jessie
Captions by
Craig Lamb
<p>Two uncommon factors played into the outcome of the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic presented by Jockey Outdoors. As Classics go, boat docks rarely fit heavily into the narrative. This time, they did, as prespawn largemouth used them as staging areas in creeks and pockets. Photo: Craig Lamb</p>
What else stood out were the lure choices used by the top anglers, particularly those competing on Championship Sunday. In this gallery, you will not see a single drop shot, Ned rig, Damiki rig or otherwise any staples of the scoping game. Instead, you will see a refreshing lineup of traditional lures anyone can use during the spawning cycle. 
Jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and old-school jigs were the top baits used to catch prespawners gathering in windblown pockets with an abundance of baitfish. That was the game plan for Justin Hamner, who won with a three-day total of 58 pounds, 3 ounces. 
The fourth-year Bassmaster Elite Series pro became only the 10th angler in the 54-year history of the Classic to lead all three days. Check out his winning baits and stock up for spring with a proven lineup of spawning cycle lures.
Click here to buy these lures at Bass Pro Shops.
Chris Johnston, 25th (42-0)
Chris Johnson alternated between a crankbait to cover water and a jig for flipping to cover his strike zone.
A top lure was a SPRO CJ Flip Jig.
A SPRO Outsider Crank SR 55 was another choice.
Bryan Schmitt, 24th, (42-1)
Bryan Schmitt rotated between a shaky head rig and a Texas-rigged creature bait.
Schmitt made the shaky head with a 1/8-ounce jighead and a Missile Baits Mini Magic Worm. Inserted into the tail was a Floatzilla Fire Tail for added buoyancy.
He made the Texas rig with a Missile Baits D Bomb, on a 4/0 Hayabusa WRM959 Wide Gap Offset Heavy Duty Hook.
Matt Robertson, 23rd (42-1)
Robertson relied on a heavy diet of swimbaits at Grand Lake to secure at Top 25 finish.
An 8-inch Berkley Cull Shad was a go-to for big bites for the Kentucky pro.
He also downsized to the 6-inch Berkley Cull Shad.
Brandon Palaniuk, 22nd (42-2)
Brandon Paluniuk alternated between a selection of crankbaits to cover the depth and mood of the bass.
Leading off in varying colors were two Megabass Super-Z Z2 crankbaits for midrange zones.
Palaniuk outfitted the baits with No. 6 BKK Hooks Spear EWG-71 SS treble hooks.
Alternatively, he used a Megabass SONICSIDE crankbait, also fitted with the same hooks in No. 2 size.
Luke Palmer, 21st (43-2)
Luke Palmer rotated between a crankbait for reaction strikes and a jig for flipping and pitching.
To cover shallow water, he used this Norman Fat Boy Crankbait.
Palmer also a 5/8-ounce War Eagle Jiu-Jigsu Jig with a chunk trailer.
Brock Mosley, 20th (43-8)
Brock Mosley relied on a jig and crankbait for slow and faster presentations.
A top lure was this Buckeye Lures Mini Mop Jig, with a Yamamoto Flappin’ Hog https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/gary-yamamoto-flappin-hog?cm_soc=sbrand&type=BrockM|TL|040724for a trailer.
Alternatively, Mosely used a Bill Lewis SB57 Squarebill Crankbait.
Brandon Cobb, 19th (43-10)
Brandon Cobb relied on a spinnerbait to cover water for prespawn largemouth.
Cobb’s key bait was this 3/4-ounce Greenfish Tackle Spinnerbait with a single Colorado blade, and a 3.8 Zoom Z Swim trailer.
Click here to buy these lures at Bass Pro Shops.
Kyle Welcher, 18th (44-2)
Kyle Welcher ran his pattern with a cranking and flipping program.
To cover water, he used a Rapala Shad Rap 5.
For a flipping and pitching pattern, Welcher used a 1/2-ounce Untamed Tackle Ace Jig.
Jason Christie, 17th (44-9)
Jason Christie’s top lure was a spinnerbait to cover territory.
The choice was a 1-ounce Booyah Covert single Colorado spinnerbait, with a YUM Pulse Swimbait for a trailer.
Easton Fothergill, 16th (45-3)
Easton Fothergill relied on a swimbait as his primary lure.
The choice was a Megabass 6-inch Magdraft Swimbait.
Matt Arey, 15th (46-4)
Matt Arey kept his program simple with a jig.
The choice was a 1/2-ounce hand-tied jig.
Brandon Card, 14th (46-8)
Brandon Card fished shallow transitions and banks with a crank for covering water, and a jig for specific targets.
The coverage bait was a Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Flat Crank.
Card also used a 3/8-ounce Advantage Bait Co. Wild Card Finesse Jig.
A crawfish pattern adorns this crankbait Card also used on Grand Lake.
Bryant Smith, 13th (46-9)
Bryant Smith relied on a jig for flipping and pitching, and a crankbait to cover water.
For the flipping program he used this 1/2-ounce Strike King Compact Tungsten Jig, with a Strike King Rage Scounbug.
To cover water, Smith used a Strike King Pro Model 3XD.
Cooper Gallant, 12th (47-12)
Cooper Gallant kept it simple with a jig at Grand Lake.
Gallant’s jig of choice was an OutKast Tackle Stealth Feider Jig paired with an Xzone Adrenaline Craw trailer.
Kyoya Fujita, 11th (48-0)
Kyoya Fujita rotated between a spinnerbait and jig.
For covering water, he used a 3/8-ounce Jackall DOOON spinnerbait.
For targeted presentations, he used a 1/2-ounce jig.
Taku Ito, 10th (48-5)
Taku Ito rotated through a variety of power fishing baits to secure a top 10 finish at the 2024 Classic.
Ito chose this Nories Crystal S Spinnerbait, with a single Colorado blade. He used a BOTTOMUP 4.2-inch Volup Swimmer for a trailer.
For covering water, Ito used this Mitteru Crankbait armed with No. 6 Ryugi Pierce TC Treble Hooks.
For slower presentations, he used a Nories Escape Twin on a Japanese-inspired Cherry Rig, made with a 3/0 Ryugi Infini Hobbit Offset Wide Gap Worm Hook.
Shane LeHew, 9th (48-15)
Shane LeHew rotated between a spinnerbait and squarebill crankbait.
A 3/4-ounce Berkley Spinnerbait with a single Colorado blade was a top choice.
So was a Berkley SquareBull Crankbait.
Hank Cherry, 8th (49-4)
Hank Cherry rotated between a jig for pitching at boat docks and a bladed jig for covering water.
Between the docks, Cherry used a 3/8-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait JackHammer, with a Yamamoto Zacko trailer.
For specific targets on docks, he used a 3/8-ounce Davis Bait Jig, with a BassMooch Pig Tail.
Kyle Patrick, 7th (49-4)
Dragging a jig on the bottom was the primary tactic for Kyle Patrick.
His top bait was a 3/4-ounce Ike’s Head Banger Jig, with a Missile Baits Chunky D.
Cory Johnston, 6th (49-6)
Cory Johnston covered water for prespawn largemouth with a crankbait.
A top choice was this 6th Sense Crush 50X Crankbait.
Lee Livesay, 5th (49-11)
Lee Livesay rotated through crankbaits and a jig to cover territory and target different areas.
To hit specific targets, Livesay chose this 1/2-ounce 6th Sense Hybrid Jig, with a Nebait Paca Slim.
To cover water, Livesay used a 6th Sense Crush 50X crankbait.
For shallower zones, he used this 6th Sense Pressure Diver/PD4 Crankbait.
Jay Przekurat, 4th (50-1)
Jay Przekurat used a jig for flipping and pitching, along with a jerkbait to cover water.
To cover water, he used a Strike King KVD Jerkbait 300.
The flipping package was a 3/8-ounce Strike King Structure Jig, with a Strike King Rage Tail Menace Grub.
Cody Huff, 3rd (50-7)
A crankbait and jig covered the bite cadence of prespawn largemouth transitioning in shallow water.
For reaction strikes, Huff used a Rapala OG Tiny 4 flat-sided crankbait.
For specific targets, Huff used a 1/2-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Mini Flip Jig.
Adam Rasmussen, 2nd (55-4)
Adam Rasmussen rotated between a jig and spinnerbait to cover his strike zone.
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For Rasmussen, 1/2- or 3/4-ounce jigs were a top choice, each rigged with a Crush City Cleanup Craw.
Rasmussen also used a 1/2-ounce spinnerbait with a gold single No. 5 Colorado blade.
For covering water, he used a Rapala PXR Mavrik 110.
Justin Hamner, 1st (58-3)
Justin Hamner used a jerkbait to trigger reaction strikes, and a jig for specific targets.
A top choice was Yo-Zuri Hardcore Minnow Flat 110SP.
For specific targets, Hamner slowed the pace with this 1/2-ounce Greenfish Tackle Jig. 
Hamner also used this jerkbait armed with No. 6 Duo Realis treble hooks. For added strike appeal he applied scent from a BaitFuel Hardbait Stick.

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