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 water, he prefers the Black Blue Flake while utilizing a Summer Craw in muddy water. He pairs the Rage Punch Bug with a 1 1/4oz Tour Grade weight.
With a unique and exclusive tail design, Rage Punch Bug provides anglers with a custom, high-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 the 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.
