Strike King pro Denny Brauer suggests his favorite spots and baits for Zone 1 in October.
In Zone 1, fish are still in summer patterns near the main lake or deep water. Brauer says finding structure is key. “On lakes with vegetation the fish will be in it or nearby. If no vegetation is available, concentrate on deep brush piles or boat docks,” shares Brauer.
In October specifically, Brauer has a particular focus on main lake spots. “No matter what, I concentrate on main lake places on most bodies of water in this region in October. Keep in mind that ‘deep’ in Texas may be 20-feet to 30-feet and in Florida it could be 5-feet to 10-feet,” said Brauer. He also advises that points, channel swings, and humps can all be good places to look.
In clear water, Brauer grabs a Green Pumpkin in sunny situations and uses the Blue Craw if it’s cloudy.
In stained or muddy water, he prefers the Black Blue Flake while utilizing a Summer Craw in muddy water.
With a unique and exclusive tail design, Rage Punch Bug provides anglers with a custom, hi-grade soft bait with superior action. Brauer’s rig helps him penetrate heavy grass and get down to fish who are holding deep in the vegetation.
Brauer’s choice for clear water is the Double Header Red or Green Pumpkin, while he opts for Plum if the water is stained.
In muddy water, Brauer reaches for the Junebug or Black Blue Flake.
Infused with just the right amount of coffee scent and salt, the Strike King KVD Perfect Plastic Bull Worm offers a big-time profile and a super-soft construction that is perfect for targeting ledge-dwelling lunkers.
He opts for the Sexy Blue Back Herring or Sexy Shad in clear water, and switches to a Chartreuse Sexy Shad or Chartreuse Blue Back if the water is stained.
The curved bill of the 6XD causes faster and deeper dives, making it a top choice in Brauer’s line up.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Natural Shad, while more stained water calls for a Bone. Brauer grabs The Shizzle if the water is muddy.
Brauer chooses the KVD Sexy Dawg because it’s a premium, “walk- the-dog” topwater lure with great action. When bass are chasing bait near the surface, he always has one tied on.
He opts for Shad Spawn in clear water. If the water is stained, Brauer will throw White Shadow, while he will switch to a Bottoms Up if the water is muddy.
Resembling an injured baitfish, the Popping Perch skips, walks, splashes, and pops like wounded prey, resulting in the finest topwater, hollow-body, popping lure.
Strike King pro Greg Hackney shares why October is the perfect time to attract that fall bite.
Anglers can expect lower water levels in October, Hackney says. “October is one of the lowest water level months of the year from lack of rainfall in the late summer months and a combination of reservoirs being lowered for winter drawdown in preparation of spring rains,” shares Hackney. While the change in precipitation is a huge factor, there are some other factors that also influence bass strikes in the fall. “The combination of these conditions with cooler temperatures and shorter days triggers the fall bite,” assures Hackney.
If the water is clear, Hackney prefers White. In stained or muddy water, he switches to Chartreuse White.
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 his lineup.
Hackney’s choice for clear water is Mouse, while he opts for White Silver if the water is stained. Chartreuse White is Hackney’s choice in muddy conditions.
With heightened effectiveness in cover, the Tour Grade Spinnerbait is designed with a light wire frame to help produce maximum vibration and comes complete with a hand-tied skirt.
He opts for Olive Shad in clear water, and switches to White if the water is stained or muddy. Hackney often pairs the Thunder Cricket with a Pearl Blade Minnow trailer.
Strike King’s Tour Grade Tungsten Thunder Cricket has changed the game for vibrating jigs. Its innovative design provides maximum swimming action, flash, and thump, with a superior hookup ratio.
If the water is clear, he will throw Sexy Shad, while more stained water calls for Chartreuse Blue Black Splatter. Hackney opts for the Chartreuse Copper in low-vis conditions.
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.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water. If the water is stained he will throw Summer Craw, while he will switch to June Bug if the water is muddy.
Crafted to be the ultimate flip bait, the unique streamlined shape of the Rage Bug body allows it to easily move through cover with an unmistakable crawfish glide.
Strike King pro Dakota Ebare shares the places and factors that he is focused on during the month of October in Zone 1.
Expect water temperatures to fluctuate between the mid-70s to low 80s during this period. The movement of baitfish is crucial, as they begin their transition back into the creeks, which will directly influence fishing success. Expect to find a significant number of suspended bass in the water, alongside some that are positioned near shallow cover. Understanding these patterns will be vital for maximizing your fishing efforts and contributing to a successful outing.
If the water is clear, he will throw Pro Blue, while more stained water calls for Chartreuse Sexy Shad. If the water is muddy, he will throw Citrus Shad.
The KVD J300 has the perfect combination of roll, wiggle, and flash. High quality features and advanced technologies give this jerkbait the advantage over others of its kind.
He opts for Phantom Brown Craw in clear water. If the water is stained he switches to Demon Craw. In muddy water, he will throw Fire Craw.
The Gravel Dawg has incredible action and features some awesome paint jobs, premium hooks, 3D eyes and wide wobble action to grind through rock, wood, and grass better than any medium-diving crank bait in its class.
If the water is clear he will throw Green Gizzard Shad. Ebare opts for Oyster in stained water. While muddy water calls for Chartreuse with Black Back.
The Shallow Hybrid Hunter dives down to 1-3 feet and maintains the distinctive wobble action and rattle chamber that emits a powerful fish-attracting sound.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Clear Ghost Sexy Shad. If the water is stained, he prefers Citrus Shad. In more muddy water Ebare uses Chartreuse with Black Back.
Designed to the exact specifications of angling legend Kevin VanDam, Strike King KVD 2.5 is built perfect for shallow water and power fishing.
If the water is clear or stained, Ebare prefers Green Pumpkin with Rage Craw trailer. In muddy water, he switches to Black and Blue.
The Premier Pro-Model Jig features an even larger, premium, black nickel hook and a new rattle system enabling it to rattle even when worked side to side.
