Winning Baits of Past Grand Lake Bassmaster Classics

We’re headed back to Grand Lake for the big Oklahoma impoundment’s third time hosting the Bassmaster Classic. The 2013 iteration was the coldest I’d ever been in a bass boat – until the Classic visited Hartwell in 2015 and we had to delay take-off due to some boats being frozen to the trailers. It resulted in one of my best cold-weather gear finds – the Stormr Strykr Jacket and Bibs, which I still rely on any time I fish in temperatures in the thirties or below.

The tournament will be held approximately a month later, which should make for more comfortable weather. Neither of the past two champs – Cliff Pace and Edwin Evers – are in the field. Nevertheless if you need a refresher course on what won the last two times, check out the following lures. No matter where you fish during the prespawn, they might help you sack a few extra bass.

2013 Champion Cliff Pace

½ oz V&M Football Jig

Green Pumpkin

4” V&M Twin Tail Trailer

Green Pumpkin

Jackall Squad Minnow 115SP

SG Threadfin Shad

2016 Champion Edwin Evers

5/16 oz Andy’s Finesse Jig

Green Craw

Zoom Critter Craw

Green Pumpkin

Megabass Flap Slap

Sexy French Pearl

½ oz War Eagle Tandem Willow Spinnerbait

Chartreuse/White

Zoom Z-Hog

Black/Blue

What Did the Second Place Finishers Throw?

The 2013 runner-up, Brandon Palaniuk, fishing his third Classic, used a variety of lures to get the job done. Meanwhile, prohibitive favorite Jason Christie went all-in on a single lure in 2016:

Palaniuk’s Lures

• Storm Wiggle Wart – Phantom Green

• Storm Twitch Stick – Chrome Yellow Perch

• Rapala XRap 10 – Gold

• Berkley Bottom Hopper Worm – Green Pumpkin with Black and Red

Christie’s Lure

• 1 oz Booyah Single Colorado Spinnerbait (black/chartreuse in cloudy conditions and chartreuse/blue/white in sunny conditions)

• Yum Pulse Trailer

Notes on the 2024 Grand Lake Classic

• While neither Pace nor Evers will compete in the 2024 Classic, both Palaniuk and Christie will be in the field, with a chance to win their first and second Classic trophies, respectively.

• Six other members of the current Elite Series field fished both the 2013 and 2016 Classics – Greg Hackney, Bill Lowen, John Crews, Matt Herren, Brandon Card and Mike Iaconelli. Card and Hackney are the only two who will make it three for three. Hack finished 13th and 10th. Card finished 39th and 27th.

• Fishing his first Classic in 2013, Hank Cherry suffered a very public heartbreak when his Megabass Vision 110 pulled free from a g-g-g-giant at the boat. Since then, he’s developed the Berkley Stunna and has won two Classics. He’ll have a chance to make it three this year.

• Speaking in purely mathematical terms, there’s a great chance we’ll have a new major title winner, as the field only includes three past Classic winners (Cherry, Christie and Jeff Gustafson) and three past AOYs (Hackney, Palaniuk and Clark Wendlandt).