Strike King pro Greg Hackney shares why April is one of his favorite times of year to fish and where he targets the largest bass in Zone 1.
“By April, we start to get rain. April is more of the rainy season than March, to me,” shares Hackney. “By this time, a lot of the fish are through spawning and then it’s time for the shad spawn in Zone 1. Now, the fish are only concerned with eating,” Hackney says. This makes for some of the best fishing in Zone 1, explains Hackney. “The shad spawn at night, so fishing early in the morning is best for catching the end of it. The first hour or two after daylight, it can be really, really good,” offers Hackney. One of Hackney’s secrets to finding huge bass – look for the birds. “Typically, the birds will gang up in places where the shad are spawning. The bass are also ganged up there,” says Hackney. Other places anglers in Zone 1 can go to find bass will be areas near spawning shad – clay banks, clay points, rock areas on the bank, grass, in the weeds, and in Cypress trees.
Hackney’s choice for clear water is White, while he opts for Summer Craw if the water is stained. Black is Hackney’s go-to when water conditions are muddy.
The Tour Grade Buzzbait is made with premium components, such as a sculpted quick-planing head and an exclusive Gamakatsu® hook, making it a go-to in Hackney’s lineup.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to California Craw if the water is stained.
Crafted for superior action, the Strike King Rage Bug is made of a customized, hi-grade plastic for enhanced action and exaggerated noise to attract more bites.
He opts for White/Silver in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Chartreuse/White, while he will switch to Spot Remover if the water is muddy.
The Tour Grade Spinnerbait can be an ideal choice for covering water quickly on structure-filled flats. It can be worked through vegetation, bounced off wood cover, and burned just beneath the surface to create a wake.
Hackney is a fan of Black/Blue in clear water and switches to Green Pumpkin in stained water. California Craw is his choice in muddy conditions.
The Rage Scounbug is a compact, crawfish imitation lure that is built with two Rage Flange pincers that wiggle and swim, imparting a life-like, natural action and six legs for a realistic crawfish appearance.
Strike King and Lew’s pro Shaw Grigsby shares his approach to competing on the water in Zone 1 during April.
“The spawn is still taking place throughout most of Zone 1, but it's usually over halfway through the month,” offers the Florida tournament veteran. “We're mid to late in the spawn season, so I'm usually expecting a heavy post-spawn approach for the back half of April."
Shaw tips the bladed jig with Blade Minnow or Rage Menace trailer around cover and when quickly covering banks.
If the water is clear, Shaw prefers Olive Shad. In stained water, he switches to Chartreuse Blue Glimmer. For muddy water, he will favor Black Blue Thunder Cricket.
Shaw fishes the Thunder Cricket on a Lew’s KVD Composite Rod, pairing it with a Lew’s HyperMag 7.5:1 reel. He fishes the rig on 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon line, but will use braid in muddy water.
Grigsby will pair the jig with a Rage Menace or Rage Bug and swim it through grass and wood.
Shaw’s choice for clear water is White, while he opts for Bluegill if the water is stained, and Black Blue in muddy conditions.
He switches to a Team Lew’s Signature Series 7’6” Rod for the swim jig presentation and pairs it with a HyperMag 7.5:1 Reel. Like on his Thunder Cricket rig, he fishes with 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon line, but will use braid in muddy water.
This is Shaw’s top choice when fish are chasing shad near the surface. It is an exceptional bait with fish near grass edges and rip raps. He also throws it in open water.
Shaw opts for Clearwater Minnow in clear conditions, and switches to Summer Sexy Shad if the water is stained. If he is fishing in muddy conditions, Shaw will throw Black Lab Sexy Dawg.
For this rig, Shaw chooses the Lew’s Signature Series 6’10” Medium Heavy Jerkbait Rod and a HyperMag 7.5:1 reel. He spools the combo with 40 lb braid and a 17-20 lb monofilament leader.
When cover and conditions call for a skipping presentation, Grigsby turns to the Popping Perch.
He keeps the color selection simple. If the water is clear, Grigsby chooses White, while more stained water calls for Black Popping Perch.
He skips the Popping Perch on a Lew’s Custom Pro Medium Heavy Rod, paired with a Custom SLP 7.5:1 reel. Grigsby spools his combo with 65 lb braid to deliver bass from heavy cover.
