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Top lures at Guntersville Classic 2020

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Lake Guntersville put on a show at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The 53 anglers spent the week dealing with rain, dingy water and post-front conditions. You wouldn’t expect anything less at bass fishing’s world championship. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
Lake Guntersville put on a show at the Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk. The 53 anglers spent the week dealing with rain, dingy water and post-front conditions. You wouldn’t expect anything less at bass fishing’s world championship.

All captions: Craig Lamb

Redemption. That word sums up the performance of Hank Cherry, who came close to hoisting the Classic trophy in 2013, when he came in third after losing a key largemouth on a jerkbait. This time a jerkbait and other lures rewarded Cherry with the ultimate prize in bass fishing. See his lure choices and others competing on Championship Sunday.
Redemption. That word sums up the performance of Hank Cherry, who came close to hoisting the Classic trophy in 2013, when he came in third after losing a key largemouth on a jerkbait. This time a jerkbait and other lures rewarded Cherry with the ultimate prize in bass fishing. See his lure choices and others competing on Championship Sunday.
<b>David Mullins (48-0; 13th)</b><br> David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
David Mullins (48-0; 13th)
David Mullins came on strong with a late surge that focused on staging prespawn largemouth.
A 6-inch Scottsboro Tackle Company STC Swimbait, rigged on 3/4-ounce jig head, was a key lure for Mullins. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer.
A 6-inch Scottsboro Tackle Company STC Swimbait, rigged on 3/4-ounce jig head, was a key lure for Mullins. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer.
<b>Skylar Hamilton (48-2; 12th)</b><br> To nab a spot in the top 12, Tennessee pro Skylar Hamilton used a bait that was custom made to his specifications.
Skylar Hamilton (48-2; 12th)
To nab a spot in the top 12, Tennessee pro Skylar Hamilton used a bait that was custom made to his specifications.
A 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Spinnerbait, double gold Colorado blades, with Googan Baits Saucy Swimmer, was the key lure of the Classic for Hamilton.
A 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Spinnerbait, double gold Colorado blades, with Googan Baits Saucy Swimmer, was the key lure of the Classic for Hamilton.
<b>Jason Williamson (48-14; 11th)</b><br> Jason Williamson relied on a duo of lures. A 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer with Zoom Super Fluke was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig.
Jason Williamson (48-14; 11th)
Jason Williamson relied on a duo of lures. A 3/8-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer with Zoom Super Fluke was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Buckeye Lures Mop Jig.
He also used a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker.
He also used a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker.
<b>Matt Herren (49-5; 10th)</b><br> A pair of 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammers were the lures of choice for Matt Herren. He also used a 1/2-ounce XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait (not pictured).
Matt Herren (49-5; 10th)
A pair of 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammers were the lures of choice for Matt Herren. He also used a 1/2-ounce XCalibur Xr50 Rattle Bait (not pictured).
<b>Brandon Card (50-4; 9th)</b><br> Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
Brandon Card (50-4; 9th)
Brandon Card focused on reaction baits and jigs for his finish.
A Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait and 1/2-ounce unnamed jig with Yamamoto Double Tail were top picks for Card.
A Yo-Zuri 3DB Jerkbait and 1/2-ounce unnamed jig with Yamamoto Double Tail were top picks for Card.
<b>Lee Livesay (52-12; 8th)</b><br> A 1/2-ounce Finch Nasty Bait Co. Lunker Thumper, with 3.25-inch Netbait Little Spanky trailer was the key rig of choice for Lee Livesay.
Lee Livesay (52-12; 8th)
A 1/2-ounce Finch Nasty Bait Co. Lunker Thumper, with 3.25-inch Netbait Little Spanky trailer was the key rig of choice for Lee Livesay.
<b>Brandon Lester (53-9; 7th)</b><br> Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
Brandon Lester (53-9; 7th)
Brandon Lester now has two consecutive Top 10 finishes at the Classic.
A 1/2-ounce Spotsticker Baits brown living rubber jig, with 5/0 Mustad Ultra Point Hook and a X Zone Lures Muscle Back Craw, was a top choice for Lester. So was a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eyed Shad Tungsten 2-Tap.
A 1/2-ounce Spotsticker Baits brown living rubber jig, with 5/0 Mustad Ultra Point Hook and a X Zone Lures Muscle Back Craw, was a top choice for Lester. So was a 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eyed Shad Tungsten 2-Tap.
<b>John Crews (53-13; 6th)</b><br> John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
John Crews (53-13; 6th)
John Crews made a run at the Classic title by fishing shallow prespawn staging areas on Lake Guntersville.
Crews chose a trio of lures for his week. A 1/2-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Mini Flip Flipping Jig, with Missile Baits D Bomb Creature Bait was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, with 6.5-inch Missile Baits Quiver Worm trailer.
Crews chose a trio of lures for his week. A 1/2-ounce Missile Baits Ike’s Mini Flip Flipping Jig, with Missile Baits D Bomb Creature Bait was a top choice. So was a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, with 6.5-inch Missile Baits Quiver Worm trailer.
Crews also used a Spro Little John DD Crankbait.
Crews also used a Spro Little John DD Crankbait.
<b>Micah Frazier (54-0; 5th)</b><br> Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
Micah Frazier (54-0; 5th)
Micah Frazier used a new lure that was ideal for the chilly prespawn conditions on Lake Guntersville.
A 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker and the new Norman Speed N were top lures for Frazier. The Speed N will be officially released in July at the ICAST industry trade show.
A 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker and the new Norman Speed N were top lures for Frazier. The Speed N will be officially released in July at the ICAST industry trade show.
<b>Seth Feider (54-0; 4th)</b><br> A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key bait for Seth Feider on Championship Sunday.
Seth Feider (54-0; 4th)
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key bait for Seth Feider on Championship Sunday.
<b>Stetson Blaylock (58-1; 3rd)</b><br> Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
Stetson Blaylock (58-1; 3rd)
Stetson Blaylock found success targeting largemouth migrating toward the spawning areas on Lake Guntersville.
The new Norman Speed N Crankbait retrofitted with Gamakatsu G-Finesse Treble Hooks was a key fish catcher for Blaylock. So was a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker with the same hooks.
The new Norman Speed N Crankbait retrofitted with Gamakatsu G-Finesse Treble Hooks was a key fish catcher for Blaylock. So was a 1/2-ounce Booyah One Knocker with the same hooks.
<b>Todd Auten (58-10; 2nd)</b><br> Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
Todd Auten (58-10; 2nd)
Todd Auten targeted areas where largemouth were coming into shallow water spawning areas.
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, and 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad were top choices for Auten.
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer, and 1/2-ounce Strike King Red Eye Shad were top choices for Auten.
<b>Hank Cherry (65-5; 1st)</b><br> “When I caught that biggest bass on a jerkbait, I felt some redemption,” said Hank Cherry. Redemption came on Sunday when Cherry overcame losing a key largemouth earlier in the week.
Hank Cherry (65-5; 1st)
“When I caught that biggest bass on a jerkbait, I felt some redemption,” said Hank Cherry. Redemption came on Sunday when Cherry overcame losing a key largemouth earlier in the week.
A 3/8-ounce Picasso Lures Dock Rocket, green pumpkin/orange, with green pumpkin Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Chunk trailer, was a top choice on Days 2 and 3 for the Classic champ. So was a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait, GP Stain Reaction OB (orange belly) pattern. He replaced the stock hooks with Berkley Fusion19 EWG Treble Hooks, to add weight and increase the rate of fall. A Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key lure on Friday.
A 3/8-ounce Picasso Lures Dock Rocket, green pumpkin/orange, with green pumpkin Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Chunk trailer, was a top choice on Days 2 and 3 for the Classic champ. So was a Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Jerkbait, GP Stain Reaction OB (orange belly) pattern. He replaced the stock hooks with Berkley Fusion19 EWG Treble Hooks, to add weight and increase the rate of fall. A Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer was a key lure on Friday.

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