No matter where you are in the country, Mark Zona is one of the most recognizable and respected names in the fishing world. Widely known for his years as a color commentator on the Bassmaster Elite Series and his own Zona’s Awesome Fishing Show, Zona can be trusted for his input on fishing in Zone 5.
His first consideration for fishing this area of the country in early spring is whether he will be targeting smallmouth or largemouth.
“This area contains most of the best smallmouth waters in the country, but it’s also an amazing largemouth destination as well,” Zona says.
In the month of April, it's basically late winter in Zone 5. Water temperatures are in the upper 30’s to mid-40’s. Zona notes that quite often in April, fish that have been lethargic throughout the cold winter begin to bunch up and feed. “This, to me, is the best time of year where you'll find hundreds of fish without moving the boat. My approach is always looking for what I refer to as the outer realm. This includes the deepest live grass or deepest rock that they typically spend the deep winter on,” Zona says. “I target these areas as they’re where you'll find the full range of forage, such as bluegill, perch and emerald shiner.”
Whether he is targeting rock or grass, Zona will typically focus on the 15-35 ft range. Anything past this 35 ft range suggests that bass are suspending. As a rule of thumb, the more stained the water is the shallower he will locate live grass. If the water is cleaner, live grass may thrive in deeper water.
Zona offers that April is his favorite month of the year to fish in Zone 5. “This is the month to find numbers and true giants. Not just big ones. Giants! The five baits I recommend here are perfect for targeting both smallmouth and largemouth.”
Zona typically fishes the Rage Swimmer on a 3/8 oz Strike King Squadron Jig Head to target fish holding on rock or vegetation in the 15-35 ft range.
If the water is clear, Zona prefers Green Gizzard. In stained water, he switches to AYU Rage Swimmer.
Zona fishes the Rage Swimmer on a Lew’s 7’0” Zona Signature Series All Purpose Spinning Rod with 300 HyperMag. He gets the ideal action from the Rage Swimmer with an 8 lb fluorocarbon leader on 15 lb braid.
If the fish are responding to a slower moving bait, Zona throws the Strike King Baby Z-Too. Originally designed as a drop shot bait, Zona fishes it on a 3/16 or 3/8 oz. Ned Rig.
Zona’s choice for clear water is the Smokey Shad Baby Z-Too, while he opts for Arkansas Shiner if the water is stained.
He switches to his 6’10” Shakey Head Signature Series Rod for this presentation, paired with a 300 HyperMag. Zona puts a 6 lb fluorocarbon leader on 15 lb braid for the Ned Rigged Baby Z-Too.
This is one of Zona’s top choices in Spring for smallmouth but is also responsible for large numbers of largemouth. He targets shallower cover in the 10-20 ft range – as Zona calls it, “in the inside edge of the outer realm.” He fishes the tube on a Strike King Tour Grade Tube Jig Head in 5/16 or 3/8 oz.
He opts for KVD Kick Coffee Tube in clear water while switching to Green Pumpkin Purple and Gold Flake if the water is stained.
Zona throws the tube on a Lew’s 7’2” Signature Series Tube Crackin’ Special, and like his previous bait selections, pairs it with a Lew’s 300 HyperMag.
He finds that he achieves the best action on the tube with straight 8 lb fluorocarbon line.
Zona turns to the KVD 300 Deep Jerkbait to target fish holding on the outside of large spawning flats. Zona points to this selection that often puts the largest bass in his boat. Though anglers often jerk this lure erratically, Zona pulls the bait along for a more subtle action.
If the water is clear, Zona almost exclusively throws Crystal Shad and Clearwater Minnow, while he opts for Summer Sexy Shad if the water is slightly stained.
Zone throws the jerkbait on a Lew’s KVD 6’10” Signature Series, paired with a 7.5:1 Custom Lite Reel. He finds the best action with 10 lb fluorocarbon line.
Like the 3.5” version of the Coffee Tube, Zona calls the 2.75” a powerful weapon in April. He alternates between the two, fishing the 2.75” on a 1/4 oz. Tour Grade Tube Jig Head.
He opts for KVD Kick Coffee Tube in clear water while switching to Green Pumpkin Purple and Gold Flake if the water is stained.
Zona fishes the 2.75” tube on a Lew’s Mark Zona Signature Series All Purpose Rod paired with a 200 HyperMag Reel.
He spools this combo with 15 lb braid with an 8 lb leader. Unlike the larger, heavier tube, he uses braid as his main line to achieve a longer cast with the lighter weight.
