Top lures at Harris Chain 2021

Posted on
The scale of the spawning cycle tilted more towards postspawn at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open at Harris Chain. That made timing everything when setting up to intercept bass on the move. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The scale of the spawning cycle tilted more towards postspawn at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Southern Open at Harris Chain. That made timing everything when setting up to intercept bass on the move.
All captions: Craig Lamb
Early on Championship Saturday, Keith Tuma timed it just right, catching this key largemouth for a 2-pound margin of victory and overall weight of 58 pounds, 13 ounces.
Early on Championship Saturday, Keith Tuma timed it just right, catching this key largemouth for a 2-pound margin of victory and overall weight of 58 pounds, 13 ounces.
See what lures did best on the Harris Chain for Tuma and the top finishers.
See what lures did best on the Harris Chain for Tuma and the top finishers.
<b>Michael Webster (10th; 36-0)</b><br> A Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait and a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, on a 1/2-ounce shaky head jig, were the two key baits used by Michael Webster.
Michael Webster (10th; 36-0)
A Berkley Frittside 5 crankbait and a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, on a 1/2-ounce shaky head jig, were the two key baits used by Michael Webster.
<b>Chris Dover (9th; 44-5) </b><br> Chris Dover rotated through three baits. A 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Reaction Innovations Little Dipper was a key bait.
Chris Dover (9th; 44-5)
Chris Dover rotated through three baits. A 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Reaction Innovations Little Dipper was a key bait.
So was a Zoom Z Craw, rigged with a 1/2-ounce tungsten weight, and a 3/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook. With the same size and brand hook, he also used a Zoom Speed Worm, with a 1/8-ounce tungsten weight.
So was a Zoom Z Craw, rigged with a 1/2-ounce tungsten weight, and a 3/0 Gamakatsu Heavy Cover Flippin’ Hook. With the same size and brand hook, he also used a Zoom Speed Worm, with a 1/8-ounce tungsten weight.
<b>Jacob Powroznik (8th; 46-9) </b><br> A primary big bass bait for Jacob Powroznik was a 1/2-ounce V&M Baits Pacemaker Series Jig, with a V&M J-Bug.
Jacob Powroznik (8th; 46-9)
A primary big bass bait for Jacob Powroznik was a 1/2-ounce V&M Baits Pacemaker Series Jig, with a V&M J-Bug.
In thicker cover, he used a flipping setup with the J-Bug.
In thicker cover, he used a flipping setup with the J-Bug.
<b>Blake Smith (7th; 46-10) </b><br> A Berkey Cane Walker in the morning was a key bait for Blake Smith.
Blake Smith (7th; 46-10)
A Berkey Cane Walker in the morning was a key bait for Blake Smith.
Later on, he used a 6-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged a 5/0 Fusion19 Hook, with a 5/16-ounce Flat Out Tungsten Flipping Weight.
Later on, he used a 6-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged a 5/0 Fusion19 Hook, with a 5/16-ounce Flat Out Tungsten Flipping Weight.
<b>Scott Gibbs (6th; 47-4) </b><br> A key bait for Scott Gibbs was a Gambler Burner Worm, rigged on an Owner Hook, with a 3/16-ounce Titan Tungsten ProSeries Weight.
Scott Gibbs (6th; 47-4)
A key bait for Scott Gibbs was a Gambler Burner Worm, rigged on an Owner Hook, with a 3/16-ounce Titan Tungsten ProSeries Weight.
Another choice was a Keitech FAT Swing Impact 4.8, rigged on an Owner Flashy Swimmer.
Another choice was a Keitech FAT Swing Impact 4.8, rigged on an Owner Flashy Swimmer.
<b>Jeremy Gordon (5th; 48-0) </b><br> Jeremy Gordon’s primary setup was a Zoom Magnum Speed Worm, rigged on a 5/0 Berkley Fusion19 Offset Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce WOO! Tungsten weight.
Jeremy Gordon (5th; 48-0)
Jeremy Gordon’s primary setup was a Zoom Magnum Speed Worm, rigged on a 5/0 Berkley Fusion19 Offset Worm Hook, with a 1/4-ounce WOO! Tungsten weight.
<b>Jacob Foutz (4th; 48-14) </b><br> A Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait was a key lure for Jacob Fouts.
Jacob Foutz (4th; 48-14)
A Megabass Ito Vision 110 Jerkbait was a key lure for Jacob Fouts.
So was a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Hook, with a 3/8-ounce tungsten weight.
So was a Zoom Magnum Trick Worm, rigged on a 5/0 Gamakatsu Hook, with a 3/8-ounce tungsten weight.
<b>Patrick Walters (3rd; 55-14) </b><br> Patrick Walters fished his second championship final in three tournaments, this time at the Harris Chain.
Patrick Walters (3rd; 55-14)
Patrick Walters fished his second championship final in three tournaments, this time at the Harris Chain.
Walters used Zoom Zlinky and Zoom Fluke Stick, which he used with Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and wacky rigs. The latter setup was his key bait. He rigged it weightless on a No. 1 VMC Neko Hook.
Walters used Zoom Zlinky and Zoom Fluke Stick, which he used with Texas rigs, Carolina rigs and wacky rigs. The latter setup was his key bait. He rigged it weightless on a No. 1 VMC Neko Hook.
<b>Alex Wetherell (2nd; 56-13) </b><br> A search bait and finesse rig were the baits of choice for Alex Wetherell.
Alex Wetherell (2nd; 56-13)
A search bait and finesse rig were the baits of choice for Alex Wetherell.
A key search bait for Wetherell was a 3/4-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jackhammer, rigged with a Lunker City Ribster Worm.
A key search bait for Wetherell was a 3/4-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jackhammer, rigged with a Lunker City Ribster Worm.
Later in the day, he used a Carolina rig, made with a 7-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 5/0 Lunker City Texposer Hook, with a 1/2-ounce tungsten weight. 
Later in the day, he used a Carolina rig, made with a 7-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged on a 5/0 Lunker City Texposer Hook, with a 1/2-ounce tungsten weight. 
<b>Keith Tuma (1st; 58-13) </b><br> Keith Tuma made what he believed was a key adjustment to his bladed jig. “Everybody else who was in the area was throwing ChatterBaits with paddletail trailers, but I think that the little subtle difference in my trailer made the fish want to eat,” he said. “I was getting bit when other guys weren’t.”
Keith Tuma (1st; 58-13)
Keith Tuma made what he believed was a key adjustment to his bladed jig. “Everybody else who was in the area was throwing ChatterBaits with paddletail trailers, but I think that the little subtle difference in my trailer made the fish want to eat,” he said. “I was getting bit when other guys weren’t.”
That choice was a Castaic Bats Jerky J, rigged on a 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer.
That choice was a Castaic Bats Jerky J, rigged on a 1/2-ounce Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer.