Strike King and Lew’s Pro Andy Montgomery suggests some of the same tactics for June that he shared in May for Zone 3 – keeping a focus deep water versus shallow forage.
“For deep water, I’m locating bass that are preying on shad. The key difference in targeting deep fish in June versus May is the techniques and cadence of the lures I choose,” says Montgomery. It is time to opt for more slow-moving presentations, which means leaving the crankbaits and spoons behind. “I’m switching to the Carolina rig and jigs to target these more conditioned fish,” shares Montgomery.
Another key focus of June – topwater. Montgomery notes, “Anytime you are targeting deep fish, there is a chance that they’ll school up closer to the surface at some point during the day. I’ll keep a Sexy Dawg tied on just for that possibility.”
In June, you can also expect to find pockets of spawning bluegill offering great opportunities to target shallow fish. “Put on some sunscreen, bring a good pair of polarized sunglasses and look for the ‘honeycomb-shaped’ bluegill beds. With the bluegill more locked into the full swing of the spawn, I tend to opt for shallower topwater presentations,” advises Montgomery. His favorite bait to target spawning bluegill – Skip N’ Buzz and KVD Popping Perch.
If the water is clear or stained, Montgomery prefers the Green Pumpkin with a Game Hawg trailer. For muddy water, he will favor a Black N Blue.
Montgomery fishes on a Team Lew’s Signature Series Mark Rose Carolina Rig 7’5” rod, pairing it with a Lew’s HyperMag 8.3:1 baitcast reel. He fishes the Carolina Rig on 17 lb fluorocarbon line with a 15 lb leader
Montgomery's choice for clear water is Bama Craw, while he opts for Green Pumpkin Craw if the water is stained. Black and Blue is his go-to in muddy conditions. He will usually pair this with a Mid-Size Rage Bug trailer.
Montgomery’s choice for clear and stained water is the Green Pumpkin paired with a Bull Worm trailer, while he opts for Black if the water is muddy.
He switches to a Team Lew’s Signature Series Mark Rose Carolina Rig 7’5” and pairs it with a Lew’s HyperMag 8.3:1 baitcast reel. Montgomery spools his combo with 17 lb fluorocarbon line.
This topwater lure is Montgomery’s top choices when fish are near cover such as points, ledges, and drops. He opts for the Blue Gizzard in clear water, and switches to a Sexy Blue Back Herring if the water is stained.
Montgomery throws the Sexy Dawg on a Team Lew’s Signature Series KVD Topwater 7-foot rod and a Lew’s BB1 Pro 7.5:1 baitcast reel. He spools the combo with 30 lb braid.
Montgomery throws the Skip N’ Buzz rigged with a Rage Swimmer trailer in shaded areas with shallow water. If the water is clear or stained, he will throw a Green Pumpkin, while muddy water calls for a Black N Blue.
He fishes on a Team Lew’s Signature Series Andy Montgomery Bladed Jig/Thunder Cricket 7’3” rod, paired with a Lew’s Pro SP baitcast reel. Montgomery spools his combo with 20 lb fluorocarbon line.
He opts for Green Pumpkin Gill in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy, he will throw the Black.
Montgomery fishes the KVD Popping Perch on a Team Lew’s Signature Series Andy Montgomery Skipping 6’9” rod, paired with a Lew’s Pro SP baitcast reel. He spools this with 30 lb braided line
In Zone 3 in June, John Garrett always looks for the most oxygen on the lake.
This is normally found on the main lake, and is caused by current and wind. Bass will be feeding on shad and bluegill, especially around cover such as brushpiles and stumps. John will expect to see clear water with water temperatures between 78 to 84 degrees.
John’s first choice for Zone 3 in June is a 6XD Silent. John will crank the 12-to-18-foot depth range around the main lake river channel on offshore schools of bass.
If the water is clear, he prefers Olive Shad. In stained water, he switches to Citrus Shad. For muddy water, he will favor Powder Blue Back.
John’s second choice for offshore schools of bass is a Bottom Dweller Spinnerbait in 1 oz. He throws the Bottom Dweller around stumps and brushpiles.
His choice for clear water is Blue Shad, while he opts for White if the water is stained. White/Chartreuse is his go-to in muddy conditions.
Another great offshore school bait is the Shadalicious 5.5 inch swimbait. He throws this swimbait on the main lake in the 4-to-25-foot range on the Rage Jighead.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to AYU if the water is stained. He prefers Charteuse Shad in low-vis conditions.
If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin Sapphire, while more stained or muddy water calls for Green Pumpkin.
John will throw a Fat Baby Finesse Worm on a Shakey head around stumps and brushpiles offshore.
He opts for Morning Dawn in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Sexy Shad, while he will switch to Blackberry Jam if the water is muddy.
Similar to the Fat Baby Finesse Worm on a Shakey Head, John will throw a Filler Worm on a Drop Shot as a more finesse approach, especially when using Livescope to target individual roaming bass.
