Strike King pro Mark Rose highlights typical patterns in Zone 4 during February.
Even with colder temperatures in Zone 4, there are still some great opportunities to catch bass in February. “Water temperatures on average will still be cold, however this is the time of year that if you do get a couple days that are calm and sunny, the bass will get active,” shares Rose.
If the water is clear, Rose prefers the 3.25" Ghost Shad Rage Swimmers. In stained water, he switches to Pro Blue Red Pearl. For muddy water, Rose will favor Pearl Flash.
The stiffer wire on the Bladed Tour Grade Titanium Umbrella Rig provides more stability than other umbrella rigs while the five blades flash and swivel to attract fish.
He opts for Green Crawfish in clear water, and switches to Rootbeer if the water is stained. Fire Craw is Rose’s top choice when fishing in low-vis conditions.
A small-bodied deep diver, the Strike King Pro Model Series 3 is designed to enhance castability, thus reaching maximum depths. Rose throws the Series 3 around chunk rock or rip rap.
If the water is clear, he will throw Blue Craw, while more stained water calls for Bama Craw. Rose prefers Black and Blue in muddy water. He pairs this jig with a 4" Rage Craw Blue Craw.
The Tour Grade Football Jig is the ultimate jig for deep water fishing. The unique wide shape of the head keeps the bait from getting lodged in rocks and causes the bait to stand up in the water to imitate crawfish.
He opts for Green Gizzard in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Rootbeer, while he will switch to Fire Craw if the water is muddy.
The Chick Magnet is one of the best options for flat sided crankbaits on the market. The flat size allows for incredible thump while maintaining a tight action. Rose loves that this bait reaches the perfect depth with ease and deflects off of cover to draw reaction bites.
Strike King pro Greg Bohannan recommends the best geographical locations to find bass during the month of February in Zone 4.
Water temperatures are usually in the 40 to 45 degree range in Zone 4 during this time of year, shares Bohannan. “February is when ‘transition’ banks start to play a major role,” he says. “Banks that change from bluffs to chunk rock, and chunk rock to smaller pea gravel style banks will be a great place to start to your search,” Bohannan recommends. “Vertical standing timber in creeks will also play a major role, as will main lake steep banks adjacent to major creeks,” adds Bohannan.
If the water is clear, Bohannan prefers the Pro Blue. In stained water, he switches to the Natural Shad. For muddy water, Bohannan will favor a Pro Bone.
KVD J300 can dive up to 7-feet and has 3D eyes, premium black nickel hooks, and increased castability for lethal action. Anglers from coast to coast keep the J300 on the boat deck this time of year.
Bohannan’s choice for clear water is the Ghost Shad, while he opts for Electric Shad if the water is stained. Bohannan grabs a Pearl Flash when fishing in muddy water. He typically rigs the Rage Swimmer on a 1/4 oz Squadron head to maximize its action and maintain the ideal depth and presentation.
With a unique and exclusive tail design, the Rage Swimmer provides anglers with a custom, hi-grade soft bait with superior action.
He opts for the Chrome Black in clear water, and switches to a Delta Red if the water is stained. Fire Craw is Bohannan’s choice in low-vis conditions.
Bohannan favors this crankbait because of its efficiency in covering shallow flats while also being great around rocks. The Red Eyed Shad has incredible action, premium hooks, 3D eyes, and free-floating rattles.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Phantom Watermelon Red Craw, while more stained water calls for a Chartreuse Blue Back Splatter. In muddy conditions, Bohannan opts for the Chili Craw.
The 3XD dives to around 10-feet and is ideal for deflecting off deeper structure as fish make their way back into shallower flats.
He opts for Brown Craw in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Blue Craw, while he will switch to a Delta Red if the water is muddy.
The KVD 1.5 is perfect for shallow water, power fishing. The squarebill design and unique “hunting” action will constantly emit erratic movement while still running true.
In February in Zone 4, Strike King pro Trey McKinney normally sees water temperatures still below 50 degrees.
Although weather can fluctuate, he normally chooses to target deeper channel swings, vertical cover such as treetops, and laydowns on steeper rocky banks. If vegetation is present, he says that deeper grass edges will hold good quality fish in February as well. Trey noted that while shad is always a primary forage, bass seem to focus on crawfish a ton this time of year.
If the water is clear, McKinney prefers PB&J. In stained or muddy water, he switches to Black Blue. He pairs the Denny Brauer Baby Structure Casting Jig with a Green Pumpkin Rage Menace.
McKinney loves the Baby Structure Jig for flipping laydowns and covering rocks on steeper banks and channel swings. He likes the slower “glide” fall and normally works the jig with a slow retrieve.
His choice for clear water is Pumpkin, while he opts for Black if the water is stained. Black Blue is his go-to in muddy conditions. He pairs the Strike King Bitsy Bug with a Green Pumpkin Baby Menace trailer.
He throws the Bitsy Bug ¼ oz. jig as a more finesse approach when the bass seem to be feeding on smaller craws. He’ll throw the Bitsy Bug around rock, laydowns, and points.
He opts for Demon Craw in clear water, and switches to Phantom Watermelon Red if the water is stained. He picks up Spring Craw in muddy conditions.
McKinney will use the Gravel Dawg to cover water, especially paralleling channel swings with rock.
If the water is clear, he will throw Rayburn Red Craw, while more stained water calls for Delta Red. In muddy water, he reaches for Fire Craw.
Trey throws the ¾ oz. Red Eyed Shad around sparse vegetation and grass edges. He also prefers burning the bait back to the boat for reaction bites.
He opts for Olive Shad in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Bruiser, while he will switch to Fire Craw if the water is muddy. He pairs the Strike King Tungsten Thunder Cricket with a Green Pumpkin Rage Menace.
Also, for covering water in the shallows, Trey will throw the ¾ oz Tungsten Thunder Cricket with a slow rolling retrieve.
