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Best of 2020 Elite Series top lures

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The 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series season, like the year, was anything but normal. It began in February on the St. Johns River and was put on hold until June. The shutdown eliminated events scheduled during the spawning cycle, while adding a new dimension to the sport’s premier league. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series season, like the year, was anything but normal. It began in February on the St. Johns River and was put on hold until June. The shutdown eliminated events scheduled during the spawning cycle, while adding a new dimension to the sport’s premier league.

All captions: Craig Lamb

The schedule resumed as planned with a Northern Swing that did not disappoint. The St. Lawrence River (and Lake Ontario) showed out, as expected, and the smallmouth bonanza carried over to Lake Champlain and Lake St. Clair.
The schedule resumed as planned with a Northern Swing that did not disappoint. The St. Lawrence River (and Lake Ontario) showed out, as expected, and the smallmouth bonanza carried over to Lake Champlain and Lake St. Clair.
Then came a string of final events held during the fall transition. The pros ground it out through the Southern Swing, while demonstrating how to catch fish during the toughest time of the year.
Then came a string of final events held during the fall transition. The pros ground it out through the Southern Swing, while demonstrating how to catch fish during the toughest time of the year.
<p><strong>St. Johns River</strong><br>The storyline of the week was the high winds that forced postponement of the tournament’s start by two days. Paul Mueller punched pads when he found sufficient water for prespawn staging fish to move into the cover. His punching bite consistently improved later in the day, as the week’s tide schedule brought higher water to the relatively shallow pads in the afternoon. The result was a winning weight of 47 pounds, 6 ounces.</p>
St. Johns RiverThe storyline of the week was the high winds that forced postponement of the tournament’s start by two days. Paul Mueller punched pads when he found sufficient water for prespawn staging fish to move into the cover. His punching bite consistently improved later in the day, as the week’s tide schedule brought higher water to the relatively shallow pads in the afternoon. The result was a winning weight of 47 pounds, 6 ounces.
Mueller’s key lure was a 3/8-ounce Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig, with Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw trailer.
Mueller’s key lure was a 3/8-ounce Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig, with Zoom Ultra Vibe Speed Craw trailer.
<p><strong>Lake Eufaula</strong><br>Lake Eufaula gave the anglers plenty of options during the mid-June postspawn pattern contest. The bass were caught migrating from the shoreline out to the lake’s legendary ledges on the Chattahoochee River channel.</p>
Lake EufaulaLake Eufaula gave the anglers plenty of options during the mid-June postspawn pattern contest. The bass were caught migrating from the shoreline out to the lake’s legendary ledges on the Chattahoochee River channel.
Buddy Gross focused on offshore structure and staging schools of bass along the ledges. He had some brushpiles on backup, but the event set up perfectly for his skillset of finding deep water bass using electronics. The result was a winning weight of 84 pounds, 8 ounces.
Buddy Gross focused on offshore structure and staging schools of bass along the ledges. He had some brushpiles on backup, but the event set up perfectly for his skillset of finding deep water bass using electronics. The result was a winning weight of 84 pounds, 8 ounces.
Gross relied on a 3/4-ounce Nichols Lures prototype jig that features a bullet-shaped head, and lighter weight weed guard and hook. He added a 3.5-inch Zoom Super Chunk for a trailer.
Gross relied on a 3/4-ounce Nichols Lures prototype jig that features a bullet-shaped head, and lighter weight weed guard and hook. He added a 3.5-inch Zoom Super Chunk for a trailer.
A 5-inch Scottsboro Tackle Swimbait, rigged on a 3/8-ounce Owner Flashy Swimmer with 8/0 hook was another choice. So was a 3/4-ounce weedless swimbait underspin head and 5-inch Zoom Swimmer.
A 5-inch Scottsboro Tackle Swimbait, rigged on a 3/8-ounce Owner Flashy Swimmer with 8/0 hook was another choice. So was a 3/4-ounce weedless swimbait underspin head and 5-inch Zoom Swimmer.
<p><strong>St. Lawrence River</strong><br>The key game changer for the annual trip to the St. Lawrence River was the addition of Lake Ontario to the tournament waters. Even though the Canadian side was off limits, that didn’t matter to the winner.</p>
St. Lawrence RiverThe key game changer for the annual trip to the St. Lawrence River was the addition of Lake Ontario to the tournament waters. Even though the Canadian side was off limits, that didn’t matter to the winner.
Canadian Chris Johnston was shut out of his favorite waters, and he capitalized on the American side, fishing the entrance to the St. Lawrence River at Lake Ontario. He amassed a winning weight of 97 pounds, 8 ounces.
Canadian Chris Johnston was shut out of his favorite waters, and he capitalized on the American side, fishing the entrance to the St. Lawrence River at Lake Ontario. He amassed a winning weight of 97 pounds, 8 ounces.
A primary setup was a 3.6-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged no No. 4 Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook, with 3/8-ounce weight.
A primary setup was a 3.6-inch Berkley PowerBait MaxScent Flat Worm, rigged no No. 4 Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook, with 3/8-ounce weight.
<p><strong>Lake Champlain</strong><br>Lake Champlain’s largemouth and smallmouth showed out, and it would take both to compete on Championship Sunday.</p>
Lake ChamplainLake Champlain’s largemouth and smallmouth showed out, and it would take both to compete on Championship Sunday.
Brandon Palaniuk rotated through a Neko rig, drop-shot rig and glide bait for his winning weight of 80 pounds, 1 ounce.
Brandon Palaniuk rotated through a Neko rig, drop-shot rig and glide bait for his winning weight of 80 pounds, 1 ounce.
That choice was a 7.50-inch Storm Arashi Glide Bait.
That choice was a 7.50-inch Storm Arashi Glide Bait.
He made the Neko rig with a 6-inch X Zone Lures MB Fat Finesse Worm, on No. 1 VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook, with 3/16-ounce VMC Mushroom Head weight. Palaniuk made the drop shot rig with a 3.25-inch X Zone Lures Pro Series Finesse Slammer, on No. 2 drop-shot hook and 3/8-ounce VMC Tungsten Teardrop Drop Shot Weight.
He made the Neko rig with a 6-inch X Zone Lures MB Fat Finesse Worm, on No. 1 VMC Ike Approved Weedless Neko Hook, with 3/16-ounce VMC Mushroom Head weight. Palaniuk made the drop shot rig with a 3.25-inch X Zone Lures Pro Series Finesse Slammer, on No. 2 drop-shot hook and 3/8-ounce VMC Tungsten Teardrop Drop Shot Weight.
<p><strong>Lake St. Clair</strong><br>Bill Weidler found his winning bass on the hard edges of grasslines in 14 to 15 feet. Watching his Humminbird 360 for clusters of baitfish helped focus his search. The result was a winning weight of 86 pounds, 7 ounces.</p>
Lake St. ClairBill Weidler found his winning bass on the hard edges of grasslines in 14 to 15 feet. Watching his Humminbird 360 for clusters of baitfish helped focus his search. The result was a winning weight of 86 pounds, 7 ounces.
Weidler used finesse baits on hard edges of grasslines in 15-feet of water. Key was the presence of baitfish that attracted the smallmouth. Finesse baits matching the forage size did the trick.
Weidler used finesse baits on hard edges of grasslines in 15-feet of water. Key was the presence of baitfish that attracted the smallmouth. Finesse baits matching the forage size did the trick.
A top choice was a Z Man 2.75-inch Finesse TRD, rigged on a 1/4-ounce Lifted Jigs Ned EWG Jig Head, designed for fishing around heavy cover without the bulkiness of a weedguard. He also used a Strike King 3X ElazTech Z Too Soft Jerkbait, rigged on No. 1 Owner AKI Hook, with 1/2-ounce weight. Alternatively, he used the same bait nose-hooked on a drop shot rig made with a No. 1 Owner Drop Shot Hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
A top choice was a Z Man 2.75-inch Finesse TRD, rigged on a 1/4-ounce Lifted Jigs Ned EWG Jig Head, designed for fishing around heavy cover without the bulkiness of a weedguard. He also used a Strike King 3X ElazTech Z Too Soft Jerkbait, rigged on No. 1 Owner AKI Hook, with 1/2-ounce weight. Alternatively, he used the same bait nose-hooked on a drop shot rig made with a No. 1 Owner Drop Shot Hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
<p><strong>Lake Guntersville</strong><br>Frank Talley began the final round in sixth place, and he intended to fish his previous areas until making a crucial stop along an isolated stretch of eelgrass. It paid off with capping a winning weight of 64 pounds, 3 ounces, also allowing him to cull up.</p>
Lake GuntersvilleFrank Talley began the final round in sixth place, and he intended to fish his previous areas until making a crucial stop along an isolated stretch of eelgrass. It paid off with capping a winning weight of 64 pounds, 3 ounces, also allowing him to cull up.
Talley’s key bait was a Strike King 1/2-ounce Thunder Cricket, with Strike King Rage Swimmer trailer.
Talley’s key bait was a Strike King 1/2-ounce Thunder Cricket, with Strike King Rage Swimmer trailer.
For kicker bass he used a Strike King Sexy Frog.
For kicker bass he used a Strike King Sexy Frog.
<p><strong>Santee Cooper Lakes</strong><br>The fall transition posed a challenge for the sport’s top pros the Santee Cooper Lakes. But never mind, this derby occurred on the legendary lakes known for producing heavyweight catches, and even during the fall slump.</p>
Santee Cooper LakesThe fall transition posed a challenge for the sport’s top pros the Santee Cooper Lakes. But never mind, this derby occurred on the legendary lakes known for producing heavyweight catches, and even during the fall slump.
A punching pattern was a primary tactic used all week by Brandon Palaniuk. On Championship Sunday, he called an audible and moved to a new area, adding a drop shot to the lure lineup. The gutsy move paid off with a key 7-pounder, to cap his winning weight of 64 pounds, 2 ounces.
A punching pattern was a primary tactic used all week by Brandon Palaniuk. On Championship Sunday, he called an audible and moved to a new area, adding a drop shot to the lure lineup. The gutsy move paid off with a key 7-pounder, to cap his winning weight of 64 pounds, 2 ounces.
Palaniuk rigged a 5.5-inch X Zone Lures Mega Swammer on a 1/2-ounce VMC Ike Approved Swimbait Head. He also rigged a 3.5-inch X Zone Lures Muscle Back Finesse Craw on a 3/0 VMC Ike Approved Heavy Duty Flippin Hook, with a 1.25-ounce weight. On Championship Sunday he added a drop-shot rigged X Zone Lures Deception Worm to the lineup.
Palaniuk rigged a 5.5-inch X Zone Lures Mega Swammer on a 1/2-ounce VMC Ike Approved Swimbait Head. He also rigged a 3.5-inch X Zone Lures Muscle Back Finesse Craw on a 3/0 VMC Ike Approved Heavy Duty Flippin Hook, with a 1.25-ounce weight. On Championship Sunday he added a drop-shot rigged X Zone Lures Deception Worm to the lineup.
<p><strong>Lake Chickamauga</strong><br>A drop shot fished in shallow, heavy cover that won at Santee Cooper. The next week? Another off-season tactic, with a topwater frog and unique swimbait/frog combo rig winning at Lake Chickamauga.</p>
Lake ChickamaugaA drop shot fished in shallow, heavy cover that won at Santee Cooper. The next week? Another off-season tactic, with a topwater frog and unique swimbait/frog combo rig winning at Lake Chickamauga.
Lee Livesay smoked ‘em on a frog that he fished over matted cover. Alternatively, he used a hybrid rig capable of being worked like a frog and swimbait. The result was a winning weight of 58 pounds, 2 ounces.
Lee Livesay smoked ‘em on a frog that he fished over matted cover. Alternatively, he used a hybrid rig capable of being worked like a frog and swimbait. The result was a winning weight of 58 pounds, 2 ounces.
Livesay used a Scum Frog Launch Frog with two 1/8-ounce weights inserted in the body cavity for added noise.
Livesay used a Scum Frog Launch Frog with two 1/8-ounce weights inserted in the body cavity for added noise.
The champ also used a Hog Farmer Bait Co. Weedless Hybrid Head, featuring a Polly head and Gamakatsu hook, with the rig weighing 1/8-ounce. He paired it with a Netbait Big Spanky Swimbait. The light weight setup enabled Livesay to fish the rig like a frog over thick mats, and then work it like a swimbait bait when it reached open water.
The champ also used a Hog Farmer Bait Co. Weedless Hybrid Head, featuring a Polly head and Gamakatsu hook, with the rig weighing 1/8-ounce. He paired it with a Netbait Big Spanky Swimbait. The light weight setup enabled Livesay to fish the rig like a frog over thick mats, and then work it like a swimbait bait when it reached open water.
<p><strong>Lake Fork</strong><br>Big Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams. It’s all possible on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The entire 2020 schedule complete, it went out with a bang at legendary Lake Fork.</p>
Lake ForkBig Bass. Big Stage. Big Dreams. It’s all possible on the Bassmaster Elite Series. The entire 2020 schedule complete, it went out with a bang at legendary Lake Fork.
Patrick Walters joined the exclusive ranks of the Bassmaster Century Club with a winning weight of 104 pounds, 12 ounces.
Patrick Walters joined the exclusive ranks of the Bassmaster Century Club with a winning weight of 104 pounds, 12 ounces.
Walters focused on largemouth suspended in timber. During the feeding window when they fed on baitfish, he mimicked the forage using jerkbaits.
Walters focused on largemouth suspended in timber. During the feeding window when they fed on baitfish, he mimicked the forage using jerkbaits.
Key baits were a Rapala Shad Rap Deep and a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait. He fished both baits on a Daiwa Steez CT SV baitcast reel with 12- or 14-pound Suffix Advanced Fluorocarbon and a Daiwa Tatula Bass Rod.
Key baits were a Rapala Shad Rap Deep and a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait. He fished both baits on a Daiwa Steez CT SV baitcast reel with 12- or 14-pound Suffix Advanced Fluorocarbon and a Daiwa Tatula Bass Rod.

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