Bobby Bakewell Wins Bassmaster Open on Lake Martin

Butler focused primarily on docks with a topwater and finesse jig. That latter choice was a 3/8-ounce finesse jig with a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver 4.2. in Dirty Wizard. Butler also used the same jig and trailer in Green Pumpkin Red. For topwater action he used this River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110.

Ebare alternated between shallow and deep patterns with baits to cover both strike zones. For shallow water, he used a Strike King Compact Tungsten Casting Jig, with a Strike King Rage Scounbug. For deeper water, Ebare used a Strike King Rage Swimmer 3.75 on a tungsten jighead and a Strike King 3X Z-Too Soft Jerkbait, also on a tungsten jighead.

Davis focused primarily on shallow bars using a Davis used this 1/2-ounce Davis Bait Co. Davis Series Xwire Peacock CW Spinnerbait, featuring Colorado and willowleaf tandem blades. He also looked for big bites around docks with a 1/2-ounce Davis Bait Co. Davis Wood Jig, with a Big Bite Baits Chunk. For topwater action Will selected a hand-crafted Davis Bait Co. Kingpin Topwater Lure.

Meyer primarily focused on seawalls and older docks in the backs of pockets. A key bait for Cody was a 4-inch Yamamoto Fat Ika rigged on a stout 5/0 Owner Wide Gap Plus Hook, and fished on 20-pound test line for fighting fish from docks. Alternatively, He also used a 5-inch Yamamoto Senko with an Owner Jungle Finesse Wacky Hook.

Mark's focused his efforts with a jig. His primary bait was this 9/16-ounce Greenfish Tackle Chibi Jig, with a Zoom Z Craw Jr., fished on Seaguar 17-pound Tatsu Fluorocarbon.

Vernon's game plan involved targeting docks, among other strategies. A key bait for Vernon was this Berkley Bullet Pop Popper. He also used a Bass Pro Shops Stik-O Worm rigged weightless and wacky style with an Owner Jungle Wacky Hook. Alternatively, Vernon used a Rapala CrushCity Freeloader on a 1/8-ounce jighead.

Aoki used swimbaits with two different jigheads as part of his offshore game plan. His strike zone was between 40 and 50 feet. He chose a Dystle Virola 2.8 on a Nishine Lure Works Smelthead Jig Head. Alternatively, he used a round head jig with the Dystyle Virola.

Kenney rotated through a topwater and a duo of finesse rigs. Byron made a drop shot with a 6-inch Roboworm rigged on a 1/0 Roboworm Rebarb hook, with a 3/8-ounce weight. He also made a Neko rig with a Senko on a 1/0 wide gap hook with a nail weight. For topwater action he chose a Berkley Choppo.

Palmer's strategy involved a topwater pattern with a spinnerbait burned through the strike zone. He also used 1/2-ounce Nichols Spinnerbait with double willowleaf blades. For topwater action, Palmer prefered a River2Sea Whopper Plopper.