Strike King pro Denny Brauer highlights common winter patterns and what that means for finding bass in Zone 1 during the month of December.
“As the water temperatures are in the 50’s and 60’s and continue to cool down, deeper water becomes your focus,” shares Brauer. Looking for cover in shallow waters is key, according to Brauer. “Also, focus on heavy cover on shallow lakes with wood and vegetation. I really like this winter mode fishing as it yields some of my largest bass every year,” Brauer says. As a final tip, Brauer says to “keep your eyes open for diving birds and wintertime schooling activity.”
If the water is clear, Brauer prefers the Green Pumpkin. In stained water, he switches to the Peanut Butter Bug. For muddy water, Brauer will favor a Black Blue. He adds the Green Pumpkin Rage Chunk trailer in all water conditions.
The design of Strike King's Denny Brauer Structure Jig shape and weedguard angle reduce hang-ups while the wide footprint of the head helps increase your feel of the bottom.
Brauer likes to Carolina rig the Rage Denny Brauer Craw with ¾ oz Tour Grade Carolina weight.
Brauer’s choice for clear water is the Green Pumpkin, while he opts for Summer Craw if the water is stained. Brauer reaches for a Black Blue in muddy water.
The Strike King Rage Denny Brauer Craw is perfect for colder water temperatures or when bass just aren’t looking for a fast- paced action. Its streamlined design allows it to easily get in and out of cover, and its ribbed body and claws slow its descent to maximize time in the strike zone.
Brauer likes to rig the 4.75” Rage Swimmer on a Tour Grade spinnerhead.
He opts for the Ghost Shad in clear water, and switches to Electric Shad if the water is stained. In muddy water, Brauer reaches for a Sexy Shad.
Designed to provoke an immediate reaction, the Rage Swimmer has a sleek nose cone and softly ribbed body closely replicate the contours found in nature, and its thin, pancake-like tail pumps out frantic vibrations at any speed.
Brauer prefers to rig the KVD Dream Shot on a ½ oz. Tour Grade Drop Shot weight.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Dirt, while more stained water calls for a KVD Magic. In low-vis conditions, Brauer grabs a Morning Dawn.
Molded from super-soft plastic, the KVD Dream Shot features a hinged tail section that quivers and shakes at the slightest movement of your rod tip. Extremely lifelike feel and action – a deadly choice for any dropshot rig.
He opts for Double Header Red in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the June Bug, while he will switch to a Black Blue Flake if the water is muddy.
Strike King's KVD Perfect Plastics Rodents are enhanced with real coffee bean granules and coffee bean oil to give the tubes an earthy tinge and a naturally strong scent/taste that big bass are eager to slurp up.
Strike King pro Greg Hackney explains why December is his favorite month to fish in Zone 1.
“Anglers can expect clear to stained water, with water temperatures in the mid 50’s to low 60’s,” Hackney says. “December is probably my favorite month for fishing in Zone 1,” Hackney expresses. “Fish are starting the prespawn period in the southern reaches of the zone. Water temperatures are finally getting cold enough to where fish are aggressive, typically for the full daylight period of each day,” he shares.
If the water is clear, Hackney prefers Chrome Sexy Shad. In stained water, he switches to Gold Black Back. For muddy water, he will favor Chartreuse Baitfish.
The Red Eyed Shad has incredible action and a uniquely-shaped profile for unbeatable performance. The red 3D eyes and wide spectrum of colors make the Red Eyed Shad the perfect crankbait in a variety of fishing situations.
Hackney’s choice for clear water is Black, while he opts for White if the water is stained or muddy. He pairs this bait with a Toad trailer.
Strike King’s Skip’N Buzz is specifically built to help anglers target out-of-reach fish in places where few baits will go. The Skip'N Buzz features a 4/0 hook positioned perfectly to not hinder the baits skipping ability while maintaining maximum hook ups.
He opts for Pearl Flash in clear water, and switches to White/Silver if the water is stained. Chartreuse/White is his go-to in low-vis conditions. He uses a Pearl Flash Rage Swimmer in all water conditions.
Strike King’s Tour Grade Spinnerbait has a weight-forward head design for smooth movement through cover and a durable Gamakatsu® hook for solid hooksets every time.
If the water is clear, he will throw Blue Craw, while more stained water calls for Summer Craw. He picks up a Bama Craw when fishing in muddy water. Crawdaddy is Hackney’s favorite Rage Craw trailer for all water conditions.
Confidently cast to a big bass holding in the thickest cover with the Strike King® Hack Attack Jig, perhaps one of the deadliest heavy-cover jigs ever made. Designed to be fished through the nastiest underwater jungles, both shallow and deep, the Hack Attack Jig features an exclusive no-flex Extreme Gamakatsu® black nickel heavy wire hook for extra bite, and a 30º line tie to increase hook-up percentages.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw White, while he will switch to Blue Gill if the water is muddy. Hackney chooses a Crawdaddy Rage Craw for all types of water clarity.
Strike King’s Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig is perfect if fish are looking for a faster presentation and is designed with a strong and durable weed guard that will help you navigate through the thickest of cover and cut through the grass to find the big ones.
Pearl is Hackney’s choice for the Blade Minnow trailer in all conditions. Olive Shad is his pick for clear water while he prefers Blue Craw in stained conditions. In muddy water, Mouse is Hackney’s first choice.
Thunder Cricket Vibrating Jig is an ideal choice when fish are chasing baitfish around vegetation. The Blade Minnow trailer allows efficient movement through grass.
