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Top lures at Lake Guntersville 2021

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The bass were in the grass and pads at the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville. One angler staged a runaway victory, going to battle in heavy cover with heavy tackle. <br><br> <em>All captions: Craig Lamb</em>
The bass were in the grass and pads at the Berkley Bassmaster Elite at Lake Guntersville. One angler staged a runaway victory, going to battle in heavy cover with heavy tackle.
All captions: Craig Lamb
That angler was Caleb Kuphall, whose winning weight of 85 pounds, 14 ounces included an impressive scorecard. The Wisconsin Elite Series pro racked up limits weighing 27-10, 15-10, 23-9 and 19-1, for an impressive 17-4 winning margin over second place.
That angler was Caleb Kuphall, whose winning weight of 85 pounds, 14 ounces included an impressive scorecard. The Wisconsin Elite Series pro racked up limits weighing 27-10, 15-10, 23-9 and 19-1, for an impressive 17-4 winning margin over second place.
Gear up with the top lures used by Kuphall and the other top finishers. If the bass are in the grass, these choices will put more and bigger bass on your line.
Gear up with the top lures used by Kuphall and the other top finishers. If the bass are in the grass, these choices will put more and bigger bass on your line.
<b>Brandon Cobb (63-10; 10th) </b><br> Brandon Cobb focused on a spawning pocket off the main river channel, featuring mixed vegetation.
Brandon Cobb (63-10; 10th)
Brandon Cobb focused on a spawning pocket off the main river channel, featuring mixed vegetation.
You might not think of using finesse tactics in eelgrass, pads and milfoil, but the clear water made it work for Cobb.
You might not think of using finesse tactics in eelgrass, pads and milfoil, but the clear water made it work for Cobb.
A wacky rig was a key bait for Brandon Cobb.
A wacky rig was a key bait for Brandon Cobb.
He made it with a Zoom Fluke Stick, rigged with a 2/0 Berkley Fusion19 Weedless Wide Gap Hook.
He made it with a Zoom Fluke Stick, rigged with a 2/0 Berkley Fusion19 Weedless Wide Gap Hook.
<b>Chris Johnston (63-12; 9th) </b><br> Using a topwater frog and a finesse setup produced for Chris Johnston.
Chris Johnston (63-12; 9th)
Using a topwater frog and a finesse setup produced for Chris Johnston.
Johnston used the frog in heavy cover and the finesse worm for clearer water.
Johnston used the frog in heavy cover and the finesse worm for clearer water.
A Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60 was a key bait for Johnston.
A Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60 was a key bait for Johnston.
So was a 4.5-inch Roboworm, rigged on a No. 2 Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/8-oounce WOO! Tungsten Drop Shot Weight.
So was a 4.5-inch Roboworm, rigged on a No. 2 Gamakatsu Aaron Martens TGW Drop Shot Hook, with a 1/8-oounce WOO! Tungsten Drop Shot Weight.
<b>Luke Palmer (64-8; 8th) </b><br> Luke Palmer went old school and added more conventional baits to his lure lineup.
Luke Palmer (64-8; 8th)
Luke Palmer went old school and added more conventional baits to his lure lineup.
The choices allowed him to cover the water column from top to bottom.
The choices allowed him to cover the water column from top to bottom.
Palmer used a prized Smithwick Suspending Rogue that he’s used for years.
Palmer used a prized Smithwick Suspending Rogue that he’s used for years.
Palmer also used a Heddon One Knocker Spook.
Palmer also used a Heddon One Knocker Spook.
Another top rig was a 10.5-inch YUM Mighty Worm, rigged with a 2/0 hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
Another top rig was a 10.5-inch YUM Mighty Worm, rigged with a 2/0 hook and 3/8-ounce weight.
<b>Shane Lineberger (64-10; 7th) </b><br> Shane Lineberger focused on docks and an offshore bite.
Shane Lineberger (64-10; 7th)
Shane Lineberger focused on docks and an offshore bite.
Lineberger used a jig and topwater to cover all the bases.
Lineberger used a jig and topwater to cover all the bases.
Lineberger opted for a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flippin’ Jig, adding a Reaction Innovations Spicey Beaver for a trailer. He used All In Tackle Jar Jelly for added strike appeal.
Lineberger opted for a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flippin’ Jig, adding a Reaction Innovations Spicey Beaver for a trailer. He used All In Tackle Jar Jelly for added strike appeal.
For topwater action, Lineberger used a Reaction Innovations Vixen walking bait.
For topwater action, Lineberger used a Reaction Innovations Vixen walking bait.
Lineberger also use a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flippin’ Jig, adding a Strike King Rage Tail Craw for a trailer.
Lineberger also use a 9/16-ounce TrueSouth Custom Lures Fathead Flippin’ Jig, adding a Strike King Rage Tail Craw for a trailer.
<b>Tyler Rivet (64-13; 6th) </b><br> A topwater, soft plastic creature bait and a frog were key baits for Tyler Rivet.
Tyler Rivet (64-13; 6th)
A topwater, soft plastic creature bait and a frog were key baits for Tyler Rivet.
Rivet’s key bait was a prototype soft plastic punching rig that he designed for Xcite Baits. The new product will be available this summer.
Rivet’s key bait was a prototype soft plastic punching rig that he designed for Xcite Baits. The new product will be available this summer.
Rivet also used an Xcite Baits Heckler topwater that will soon be available.
Rivet also used an Xcite Baits Heckler topwater that will soon be available.
For thick vegetation he used a Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60.
For thick vegetation he used a Spro Bronzeye Poppin Frog 60.
<b>Chris Zaldain (65-3; 5th) </b><br> Chris Zaldain used a lure familiar to him on Guntersville, which also paid off for him last year.
Chris Zaldain (65-3; 5th)
Chris Zaldain used a lure familiar to him on Guntersville, which also paid off for him last year.
Zaldain used a two-bait package for ledge fishing. He used a 3/4-ounce Santone Lures Pro Series Football Jig, Ray Rob, with matching trailer.
Zaldain used a two-bait package for ledge fishing. He used a 3/4-ounce Santone Lures Pro Series Football Jig, Ray Rob, with matching trailer.
For reaction bites he used an 8-inch, 2.5-ounce Daiwa flutter-type spoon, rigged on 30-pound Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader for strength.
For reaction bites he used an 8-inch, 2.5-ounce Daiwa flutter-type spoon, rigged on 30-pound Seaguar Gold Label Fluorocarbon Leader for strength.
<b>Jason Christie (66-9; 4th) </b><br> Oklahoma pro Jason Christie carried over his momentum and had another great 2021 tournament.
Jason Christie (66-9; 4th)
Oklahoma pro Jason Christie carried over his momentum and had another great 2021 tournament.
Christie fished familiar water, which equates to heavy cover, using a lineup of baits for the heavy lifting. Christie also used a drop-shot rig with a YUM Morning Shot, a 1/0 Trokar Drop Shot Hook, and a 1/4-ounce weight.
Christie fished familiar water, which equates to heavy cover, using a lineup of baits for the heavy lifting. Christie also used a drop-shot rig with a YUM Morning Shot, a 1/0 Trokar Drop Shot Hook, and a 1/4-ounce weight.
A BOOYAH Pad Crasher was a top lure for Christie.
A BOOYAH Pad Crasher was a top lure for Christie.
He also used a 5-inch YUM Dinger, wacky rigged on a 1/0 Trokar Hook.
He also used a 5-inch YUM Dinger, wacky rigged on a 1/0 Trokar Hook.
<b>Greg Hackney (67-3; 3rd) </b><br> A Strike King KVD Sexy Frog was a key bait for Greg Hackney.
Greg Hackney (67-3; 3rd)
A Strike King KVD Sexy Frog was a key bait for Greg Hackney.
<b>Wes Logan (68-0; 2nd) </b><br> Wes Logan fished mixed vegetation along the main river channel and in the Goose Pond area of the lake.
Wes Logan (68-0; 2nd)
Wes Logan fished mixed vegetation along the main river channel and in the Goose Pond area of the lake.
Logan stayed on a roll with a bladed jig and punch rig at Guntersville.
Logan stayed on a roll with a bladed jig and punch rig at Guntersville.
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Zoom Super Fluke, was a key bait for Logan.
A 1/2-ounce Z-Man Evergreen ChatterBait Jack Hammer, with a Zoom Super Fluke, was a key bait for Logan.
He also used a Zoom Z Craw, rigged on a 1-ounce weight with a 4/0 Gamakatsu Hook.
He also used a Zoom Z Craw, rigged on a 1-ounce weight with a 4/0 Gamakatsu Hook.
<b>Caleb Kuphall (85-14; 1st)</b><br> Heavy cover. Heavy-duty tackle. Caleb Kuphall went to battle in the thick stuff.
Caleb Kuphall (85-14; 1st)
Heavy cover. Heavy-duty tackle. Caleb Kuphall went to battle in the thick stuff.
Kuphall chose lures designed to hold up to the job.
Kuphall chose lures designed to hold up to the job.
A top choice was a 1-ounce Dirty Jigs Tour Level No-Jack Punchin’ Jig, with a matching trailer.
A top choice was a 1-ounce Dirty Jigs Tour Level No-Jack Punchin’ Jig, with a matching trailer.
For matted vegetation, he used a Zoom Z Hog, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ike Approved Flippin’ Hook, and a 1-ounce tungsten weight.
For matted vegetation, he used a Zoom Z Hog, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ike Approved Flippin’ Hook, and a 1-ounce tungsten weight.
For punching milfoil, he used a Zoom Z Hog, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ike Approved Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/4-ounce tungsten weight.
For punching milfoil, he used a Zoom Z Hog, rigged on a 4/0 VMC Ike Approved Wide Gap Hook, with a 3/4-ounce tungsten weight.

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