|
Strike King pro Greg Hackney recommends a few key locations for anglers to check out in Zone 1 during June. June is considered early summer in Zone 1, which means higher water temperatures and fish transitioning to summer patterns. “Fish start relating more to (water) current because typically in June, our water has started to get really warm – in the 80's,” Hackney states. “In June, there are still some fish back in places. But a lot of the fish in June have started to move. And start to move out on the main bodies of water,” shares Hackney. Hackney’s favorite spots to fish in June are areas with a current. “I start to look for places that have current – either wind driven current or water current or tide. Because the tide is big – the tide has a lot more impact in June on when the fish bite,” he says. “I start to look for stuff that I consider main drag or throughways,” Hackney shares. |
If the water is clear, Hackney prefers Summer Sexy Shad. In stained water, he switches to Chartreuse Sexy Shad. For muddy water, he will favor Black Back Chartreuse.
For chasing active fish and power fishing, the KVD 2.5 crankbait is great for covering water quickly.
Hackney’s choice for clear water is Green Pumpkin, while he opts for Junebug if the water is stained. He will opt for Black Blue Flake when fishing in muddy conditions.
With a rage tail providing the fastest flicker rate on the market, the Rage Cut-R-Worm is made of customized hi-grade plastics for superior action.
He opts for the White in clear water, and switches to a Black if the water is stained.
Providing lively, eye-catching action, the KVD Popping Perch demands attention, and when the blowup comes, its body collapses and that big, strong double hook bites back with a vengeance.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Green Pumpkin, while more stained water calls for a California Craw. Hackney will favor a Black Neon when fishing in low-vis conditions.
The Rage Magnum Bug is Hackney’s top choice when flipping shoreline or offshore wood and vegetation. Made to provoke big bites, Rage Magnum Bug is the ultimate flipping and pitching bait.
He opts for Blue Fleck in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the California Craw, while he will switch to a Black Blue Flake if the water is muddy.
Oversized performance with the intent of enticing huge strikes, Strike King’s KVD Perfect Plastics Game Hawg is designed with claws and appendages that emit an attention-grabbing movement that can be useful for a variety of techniques.
Strike King and Lew’s veteran angler Shaw Grigsby reveals his strategy for Zone 1 in early Summer.
Though a number of patterns will prove to be productive, Grigsby primarily focuses on a heavy cover bite, relying on his flipping and pitching skills to weigh a limit of bass. He will, however, keep an eye out for wads of schooling fish off of drops and offshore points.
He opts for Watermelon Red in clear water. In stained water, he switches to Chameleon, and in muddy water, he goes with Black/Blue.
Grigsby flips and punches the Rage Bug when fish deal with the heat by burying deep in cover. Grigsby fishes the rig on a Team Lew's Signature Series 7’6” heavy rod paired with a Custom SLP 7.5:1. the reel is spooled with 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon.
If the fish are not responding to a Rage Bug, often Grigsby can coax a bite with the Rage Menace. Grigsby fishes the rig on a Team Lew's Signature Series 7’6” medium heavy rod paired with a Custom SLP 7.5:1. the reel is spooled with 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon.
If the water is clear, Grigsby prefers Watermelon Red. In stained water, he switches to California Craw, and for muddy water, he opts for Black/Blue to create a strong contrast.
Grigsby pairs his Flipping Jig with a Rage Menace trailer to pull fish out of thick wood cover in early Summer. For the jig, Grigsby will rig a Team Lew's Signature Series 7’6” medium heavy rod with a Custom SLP 7.5:1. The reel is spooled with 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon.
When the water is clear, Grigsby opts for Summer Craw. In stained water, he switches to Texas Craw for a better blend with the surroundings. For low-visibility conditions, he chooses Black/Blue.
If fish are holding in deeper, hard bottom areas, Grigsby attacks with a Football Jig and Rage Bug or Rage Menace Trailer. Grigsby fishes the rig on a Team Lew's Signature Series 7’5” medium heavy rod paired with a HyperMag 7.5:1. the reel is spooled with 17 to 20 lb fluorocarbon.
If the water is clear, Grigsby prefers Green Pumpkin Craw. In stained water, he switches to Texas Craw. For muddy water, Grigsby will favor Black/Blue color.
The 6XD is a proven fish catcher for Shaw when fish are holding in deeper, hard bottom areas. For deep cranking, Shaw turns to a Lew's XD Cranking Series Rod. He pairs a 6XD rod with Lew’s groundbreaking BB1 Pro 6.2:1 reel. Ten to 12 lb fluorocarbon is Shaw’s favorite line to use for this style of cranking.
If the water is clear, Grigsby favors Olive Shad. In stained water, he opts for Rootbeer, and for muddy conditions, he turns to Black/Blue Chartreuse.
