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Top lures at Kissimmee Chain 2020

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The right moon, the right month and the right lake. You would think a full moon in January on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes would mean heavyweight catches of spawning largemouth. They weren’t quite ready to make that move at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open. <p> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The right moon, the right month and the right lake. You would think a full moon in January on the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes would mean heavyweight catches of spawning largemouth. They weren’t quite ready to make that move at the Basspro.com Bassmaster Eastern Open.

All captions: Craig Lamb

Instead, it was part junk fishing, part prespawn and some spawning patterns. The lures reflected as much. Check out the choices of winner Bryan New and other top finishers at the season opener.
Instead, it was part junk fishing, part prespawn and some spawning patterns. The lures reflected as much. Check out the choices of winner Bryan New and other top finishers at the season opener.
<b>Wyatt Burkhalter - 12th place</b><br> Wyatt Burkhalter alternated between a Duo Realis Jerkbait 120SP and Megabass Ito Version 110 jerkbait.
Wyatt Burkhalter – 12th place
Wyatt Burkhalter alternated between a Duo Realis Jerkbait 120SP and Megabass Ito Version 110 jerkbait.
He made a Tokyo Rig using a Zoom Fluke Stick, 4/0 Gamakatsu Worm Hook and 1/4-ounce weight.
He made a Tokyo Rig using a Zoom Fluke Stick, 4/0 Gamakatsu Worm Hook and 1/4-ounce weight.
<b>Patrick Walters - 11th place</b><br> Patrick Walters alternated between 3/0 and 4/0 VMC Tokyo Rigs with 1/8-, 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights, depending on wind velocity. For trailers he used a Zoom Zlinky or Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm. Another choice was a Rapala Shadow Rap.
Patrick Walters – 11th place
Patrick Walters alternated between 3/0 and 4/0 VMC Tokyo Rigs with 1/8-, 1/4- and 3/8-ounce weights, depending on wind velocity. For trailers he used a Zoom Zlinky or Zoom Ultravibe Speed Worm. Another choice was a Rapala Shadow Rap.
<b>Justin Hamner - 10th place</b><br> Megabass Ito Vision 110 jerkbaits produced reaction strikes for Justin Hamner.
Justin Hamner – 10th place
Megabass Ito Vision 110 jerkbaits produced reaction strikes for Justin Hamner.
When the bite slowed, he made a Tokyo Rig with a Zoom Fluke Stick and 4/0 wide gap hook. Hamner used 1/8-, 1/4- or 3/8-ounce weights, depending on the wind, to keep the lure in the strike zone.
When the bite slowed, he made a Tokyo Rig with a Zoom Fluke Stick and 4/0 wide gap hook. Hamner used 1/8-, 1/4- or 3/8-ounce weights, depending on the wind, to keep the lure in the strike zone.
<b>John Hunter Jr. - 9th place</b><br> A 3/8-ounce 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig with 6th Sense Stoker Craw 3.3 trailer was a top choice for John Hunter Jr. He also relied on a 6th Sense Divine Shakey Worm 7.0, with 4/0 offset worm hook and 6th Sense Pitch Black Tungsten weight.
John Hunter Jr. – 9th place
A 3/8-ounce 6th Sense Divine Swim Jig with 6th Sense Stoker Craw 3.3 trailer was a top choice for John Hunter Jr. He also relied on a 6th Sense Divine Shakey Worm 7.0, with 4/0 offset worm hook and 6th Sense Pitch Black Tungsten weight.
Hunter also used a 6th Sense Provoke 106X jerkbait. A Scottsboro Tackle Co. Sniper Shad, with undisclosed 1/2-ounce head, was another choice.
Hunter also used a 6th Sense Provoke 106X jerkbait. A Scottsboro Tackle Co. Sniper Shad, with undisclosed 1/2-ounce head, was another choice.
<b>Cody Detweiler - 8th place</b><br> Cody Detweiler relied on a trio of lures. A Texas-rigged 4.2 Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, with 1.5-ounce weight and 4/0 Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook a top choice. So was a soft plastic stick bait with the same hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
Cody Detweiler – 8th place
Cody Detweiler relied on a trio of lures. A Texas-rigged 4.2 Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver, with 1.5-ounce weight and 4/0 Mustad Denny Brauer Grip-Pin Max Flippin’ Hook a top choice. So was a soft plastic stick bait with the same hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
The lineup also featured a 3/8-ounce Nichols Lures Saber Swim Jig, with 3.5-inch Reaction Innovations Little Dipper trailer.
The lineup also featured a 3/8-ounce Nichols Lures Saber Swim Jig, with 3.5-inch Reaction Innovations Little Dipper trailer.
He also used a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer.
He also used a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer.
<b>Gerald Swindle - 7th place</b><br> Gerald Swindle rotated through a crankbait, bladed jig and swim jig. That choice was a 3/8-ounce homemade version rigged with Zoom Z Craw trailer. He also used a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer.
Gerald Swindle – 7th place
Gerald Swindle rotated through a crankbait, bladed jig and swim jig. That choice was a 3/8-ounce homemade version rigged with Zoom Z Craw trailer. He also used a 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer.
For the crankbait he chose a Rapala DT6.
For the crankbait he chose a Rapala DT6.
<b>Jason Casteel - 6th place</b><br> Jason Casteel went old school with original XCalibur One Knocker lipless crankbaits, alternating between 1/2- and 3/4-ounce models depending on the wind.
Jason Casteel – 6th place
Jason Casteel went old school with original XCalibur One Knocker lipless crankbaits, alternating between 1/2- and 3/4-ounce models depending on the wind.
He also used an unnamed 1-ounce spinnerbait designed for fishing the legendary river channel ledges of Kentucky Lake. The spinnerbait featured No. 6 blades up front and No. 4.5 blades at the rear.
He also used an unnamed 1-ounce spinnerbait designed for fishing the legendary river channel ledges of Kentucky Lake. The spinnerbait featured No. 6 blades up front and No. 4.5 blades at the rear.
<b>Scott Martin - 5th place</b><br> A LIVETARGET Golden Shiner Vibration Trap produced morning offshore bites for Scott Martin. He modified the lure to impart a louder knocking sound.
Scott Martin – 5th place
A LIVETARGET Golden Shiner Vibration Trap produced morning offshore bites for Scott Martin. He modified the lure to impart a louder knocking sound.
Other top lures were the Googan Baits Bandito Bug Craw and Googan Baits Lunker Log Stick Bait. He fished them on 4/0 and 5/0 Eagle Claw TK130 Trokar Flipping Hooks, with 5/16- or 1/4-ounce weights.
Other top lures were the Googan Baits Bandito Bug Craw and Googan Baits Lunker Log Stick Bait. He fished them on 4/0 and 5/0 Eagle Claw TK130 Trokar Flipping Hooks, with 5/16- or 1/4-ounce weights.
<b>Keith Carson - 4th place</b><br> A 6-inch Berkley Powerbait Maxscent The General Worm, wacky rigged on 2/0 hook, was a top choice for Keith Carson. He fished the rig offshore for bedding bass.
Keith Carson – 4th place
A 6-inch Berkley Powerbait Maxscent The General Worm, wacky rigged on 2/0 hook, was a top choice for Keith Carson. He fished the rig offshore for bedding bass.
Alternatively, around hydrilla edges he opted for a 1/2-ounce Berkley Warpig lipless crankbait.
Alternatively, around hydrilla edges he opted for a 1/2-ounce Berkley Warpig lipless crankbait.
<b>Greg Alexander - 3rd place</b><br> A 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged weightless with Owner Wide Gap Worm Hook, produced during the morning for Greg Alexander. Later on, he used a Zoom Speed Worm with 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook and 1/4-ounce weight.
Greg Alexander – 3rd place
A 5-inch Yamamoto Senko, rigged weightless with Owner Wide Gap Worm Hook, produced during the morning for Greg Alexander. Later on, he used a Zoom Speed Worm with 3/0 Gamakatsu EWG hook and 1/4-ounce weight.
<b>Josh Stracner - 2nd place</b><br> Josh Stracner chose a Booyah One Knocker Lipless Crankbait for reaction strikes.
Josh Stracner – 2nd place
Josh Stracner chose a Booyah One Knocker Lipless Crankbait for reaction strikes.
When the action slowed, he switched to a Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket, with 4/0 Gamakatsu Straight Shank Worm Hook and 3/8-ounce weight. Another choice was a Reaction Innovations Machete Worm, with 5/0 Owner Hook and 3/16-ounce weight.
When the action slowed, he switched to a Reaction Innovations Pocket Rocket, with 4/0 Gamakatsu Straight Shank Worm Hook and 3/8-ounce weight. Another choice was a Reaction Innovations Machete Worm, with 5/0 Owner Hook and 3/16-ounce weight.
<b>Bryan New - 1st place</b><br> Bryan New chose a Greenfish Tackle G2 Squarebill, and Greenfish Tackle TAT prop bait for his hard bait lineup.
Bryan New – 1st place
Bryan New chose a Greenfish Tackle G2 Squarebill, and Greenfish Tackle TAT prop bait for his hard bait lineup.
He also used a Zoom Old Monster Worm, with 5/0 Owner All Purpose Worm Hook.
He also used a Zoom Old Monster Worm, with 5/0 Owner All Purpose Worm Hook.

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