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Top lures at St. Lawrence River Open 2025

Check out which lures the Top 10 anglers used at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at St. Lawrence River presented by SEVIIN!

Posted on
Written by
Christopher Decker
Photography by
Andy Crawford
Once again, the St. Lawrence River proved why it is one of the best, if not the best, smallmouth fishery in the country during last week’s St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN. Well over 100 20-pound sacks were brought to the scales during the Division 1 finale, including five that eclipsed the 26-pound mark.
There’s no signs that this mighty river is slowing down either. This 7-pound, 5-ounce smallmouth caught by Ryan Lachniet was the heaviest smallmouth weighed in at the fishery since Paul Mueller caught a 7-13 in 2020.
Cory Johnston may have started the final day in fourth place, but the Canadian pro put on a show during Championship Saturday, catching 26-7 to claim his second Opens trophy at the St. Lawrence River.
The summer smallmouth bite is in full swing above the Mason-Dixon Line, which means its time to plan your trip. BassPro.com has everything you need to execute a smallmouth beatdown, including the baits and terminal tackle used by the pros at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN,
John Hunter Jr. (10th; 57-11): Two baits helped Hunter achieve his best finish of the Division 1 slate.
This minnow on a 1/4-ounce tungsten jighead produced key bites during his three days on the St. Lawrence River.
This Bass Mafia Shot Caller Deep jerkbait also landed several smallmouth.
Kyoya Fujita (9th; 63-14): Fujita used one unique presentation to finish in the Top 10.
Fujita cut down a Jackall Yammy worm to about 2 inches and rigged it on a 1/4-ounce drop shot with a Diawa Steez Worm Hook SS.
Michael Neal (8th; 69-2): Neal continued his hot streak in Upstate New York by using one primary presentation.
He rigged a Big Bite Baits Fuzzy Stick on a Gamakatsu G Finesse Stinger and a 1/2-ounce Denali Kovert tungsten drop-shot weight.
Caleb Hudson (7th; 69-10): Hudson claimed his first Top 10 of the season with two primary presentations.
Hudson tossed a Hide Up Coike on a drop shot with a Gamakatsu G Finesse hook. He soaked it in Nories Bite Powder, which he believed helped trigger more strikes.
A Greenfish Tackle Bad Little Jig paired with a Zoom Micro Speed Craw also landed several key fish.
Kyle Austin (6th; 70-3): Austin used two drop-shot baits to claim his top finish.
A Strike King Half Shell was his primary bait. He rigged it on a No. 2 Gamakatsu G Finesse hook, and depending on the strength of the wind, he would use either a 3/8- or 1/2-ounce weight.
A Strike King Baby Z Too also produced important bites. With both setups, Austin used a longer leader, which he said kept the bait out of the rocks and more visible to the bass.
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Ryan Lachniet (5th; 70-14): Lachniet stayed shallow and caught big smallmouth on one primary bait.
This Megabass Vision 110+1 Junior produced the majority of his bites. To improve his landing percentage, he used braid split rings with size 5 Gamakatsu G Finesse treble hooks
Lucas Murphy (4th; 71-10): Murphy rotated between three different finesse baits.
This Strike King Z Too on a 1/4-ounce custom jighead was a key player.
He also rigged the new Strike King Tumbleweed on a drop shot.
A Strike King Half Shell on a drop-shot rig produced several important strikes.
Erik Luzak (3rd; 72-3): Two baits helped Luzak achieve a top three finish.
His primary presentation was this Lunkerhunt Twitch Witch on a 1/4-ounce tungsten jighead.
A Lunkerhunt Blackline Finesse Jig paired with a Lunkerhunt Finesse Worm worked when the jighead minnow didn’t.
Zach Goutremout (2nd; 72-4): Two baits helped Goutremout finish second on his home waters.
His primary presentation was a Missile Baits Spunk Shad rigged on a 1/4-ounce Missile Baits Eye Roller jighead.
He also used this Missile Baits Mini Football Jig with a Ned-style bait for a trailer.
Cory Johnston (1st; 74-15): Johnston used one primary presentation to get the win.
All week, he tossed a 6th Sense Party Minnow in electric shad. He rigged it on a prototype BKK drop-shot hook and a 3/8-ounce 6th Sense Drop Shot hook.

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