Top baits, techniques on Lake Murray

Top five finishers reveal their rigs used in the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash

COLUMBIA, S.C. — There were a lot of similarities among the top five pros’ baits at the Evan Williams Bourbon Carolina Clash on Lake Murray. Here are the details. 

1. Casey Ashley

Most of Ashley’s fish fell for a Pearl-colored Zoom Super Fluke. He would wind the bait quickly, let it rest, then wind again. He had a double-Fluke rig (donkey rig) tied on as well as a single, standard, single-Fluke rig.

Rod: Fenwick Techna AV

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo

Line: 15-pound-test Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

He also threw a shaky head when the wind laid down, or when he wanted to give his highly-pressured areas a different look.

Bait: Zoom Trick Worm, Green Pumpkin Purple Flake

Rod: Fenwick Techna AV

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo

Line: 8-pound-test Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

2. Davy Hite

Hite caught most of his fish on a Zara Spook.

Rod: 7-0 medium-action All Star

Reel: Pflueger Patriarch

Line: 30-pound-test Spiderwire UltraCast

He also used a Buckeye Wake Bait, known as a Wake Up.

Rod: 7-0 medium action All Star

Reel: Pflueger Patriarch

Line: 30-pound-test Spiderwire UltraCast

His secret weapon was a hand-poured soft jerkbait, which Yamamoto will be selling shortly. Hite has had a lot of say in its development.  

Rod: 7-0 medium-action All Star

Reel: Pflueger Patriarch

Line: 15-pound-test Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

3. Mike Iaconelli

Iaconelli used a spinnerbait, as well as a soft jerkbait.

Rod: Abu Garcia Veritas

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo

Line: Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

Bait: Molix spinnerbait, with a trailer hook.

His go-to was a soft jerkbait. He says that the line was key. Spiderwire’s Fluorobraid has the best qualities of fluorocarbon (it sinks) and the strength, thinness and sensitivity of braid.

Rod: 7-0 medium-action Abu Garcia Veritas rod

Reel: Revo spinning reel

Line: Spiderwire Fluorobraid, with a

Bait: Prototype Berkley Havoc soft jerkbait

He also used a Berkley swimbait rigged on a Revenge head.

Rod: Abu Garcia Veritas

Reel: Abu Garcia Revo

Line: Berkley Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

4. Brian Snowden

Most of Snowden’s fish fell for a Yum Money Minnow and a Zoom Swimming’ Super Fluke. He used the same setup for both.

Rod: 7-0 medium-heavy St. Croix Legend Elite

Reel: Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Signature Series reel

Line: 17-pound-test Bass Pro Shops XPS Fluorocarbon

He also caught a few fish on a drop shot rig.

Rod: 7-0 medium action St. Croix

Reel: Bass Pro Shops spinning reel

Line: 6-pound-test Bass Pro Shops XPS Fluorocarbon

Bait: Zoom Trick Worm, Watermelon Candy

 

5. Kevin Wirth

Wirth was running a pattern of points, docks, and sight fish. When it was sunny and slick, he’d catch them off of beds and in deeper water. Otherwise he ran points. He caught every one of his fish but three on a drop shot rig.

Rod: 7-0 medium-action Berkley rod

Reel: Revo spinning reel

Line: 6-pound-test UltraCast fluorocarbon

Bait: 4 3/4-inch Berkley Havoc Bottom Hopper Jr. finesse worm in green pumpkin

His other three fish ate a Fluke-style bait he skipped across points.

Rod: 7-0 medium-action

Reel: “A high-speed Revo that’s not even on the market.” It has a 7.9:1 ratio.

Line: 17-pound-test UltraCast fluorocarbon

Bait: Big Bite Bait Co. Jerk Minnow, in Glow Silver color