Strike King pro Greg Bohannan recommends the best geographical locations to find bass during the month of February in Zone 4.
Water temperatures are usually in the 40- to 45-degree range in Zone 4 during this time of year, shares Bohannan. “February is when ‘transition’ banks start to play a major role,” he says. “Banks that change from bluffs to chunk rock, and chunk rock to smaller pea gravel style banks will be a great place to start to your search,” Bohannan recommends. “Vertical standing timber in creeks will also play a major role, as will main lake steep banks adjacent to major creeks,” adds Bohannan.
If the water is clear, Bohannan prefers the Pro Blue. In stained water, he switches to the Natural Shad. For muddy water, Bohannan will favor a Pro Bone.
KVD J300 can dive up to 7-feet and has 3D eyes, premium black nickel hooks, and increased castability for lethal action. Anglers from coast to coast keep the J300 on the boat deck this time of year.
Bohannan’s choice for clear water is the Ghost Shad, while he opts for Electric Shad if the water is stained. Bohannan grabs a Pearl Flash when fishing in muddy water.
With a unique and exclusive tail design, the Rage Swimmer provides anglers with a custom, hi-grade soft bait with superior action.
He opts for the Chrome Black in clear water, and switches to a Delta Red if the water is stained. Fire Craw is Bohannan’s choice in low-vis conditions.
Bohannan favors this crankbait because of its efficiency in covering shallow flats while also being great around rocks. The Red Eyed Shad has incredible action, premium hooks, 3D eyes, and free-floating rattles.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Phantom Watermelon Red Craw, while more stained water calls for a Chartreuse Blue Back Splatter. In muddy conditions, Bohannan opts for the Chili Craw.
The 3XD dives to around 10-feet and is ideal for deflecting off deeper structure as fish make their way back into shallower flats.
He opts for Brown Craw in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Blue Craw, while he will switch to a Delta Red if the water is muddy.
The KVD 1.5 is perfect for shallow water, power fishing. The squarebill design and unique “hunting” action will constantly emit erratic movement while still running true.
Strike King pro Brent Chapman shares his keys to success in Zone 4 during February.
“February is the start of transition time in Zone 4,” says Chapman. While the water temperature may vary, Chapman expects water temperatures to be in the low to mid 40s. Chapman’s key fishing spot? Channel swing banks. “I look for channel swing banks. Forty-five-degree, rocky swing banks can be key and successful locations to start,” shares Chapman.
If the water is clear, Chapman prefers the Green Gizzard. In stained water, he switches to the Fire Craw. For muddy water, Chapman will favor a Chartreuse Blue Black Splatter.
One of the best options for flat sided crankbaits on the market, the Chick Magnet dominates the competition. The flat size allows for incredible thump while maintaining a tight action.
Chapman’s choice for clear water is the Phantom Watermelon Red Craw, while he opts for Fire Craw if the water is stained or muddy.
The 3XD dives to around 10-feet and is ideal for deflecting off deeper structure. The curved bill allows the bait to dive deeper and faster.
He opts for the Clearwater Minnow in clear water, and switches to a Clear Ayu if the water is stained. Clown is Chapman’s first choice in low-vis conditions.
KVD J300 is a lethal choice when fish are suspended over cover. Anglers from coast to coast keep the J300 on the boat deck this time of year.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Green Pumpkin Craw, while more stained water calls for a Black Blue. Chapman will reach for a Bama Craw in muddy water.
This performance skipping jig is built around a unique flat-sided head shape that glances lightly off the surface, for smooth, controlled skipping into the tight spaces that hold monster bass. Perfect for fishing overhangs, docks, and other hard-to-reach spots, the Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig elevates your ability and potential to catch more fish.
He opts for Rayburn Red Craw in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Fire Craw, while he will switch to Orange Belly Craw if the water is muddy.
Perfect for shallow water and power fishing. The squarebill design and unique “hunting” action will constantly wander with erratic movement, while still running true.
Strike King pro Mark Rose highlights typical patterns in Zone 4 during February.
Even with colder temperatures in Zone 4, there are still some great opportunities to catch bass in February. “Water temperatures on average will still be cold, however this is the time of year that if you do get a couple days that are calm and sunny, the bass will get active,” shares Rose.
If the water is clear, Rose prefers the Ghost Shad Rage Swimmer. In stained water, he switches to the Pro Blue Red Pearl. For muddy water, Rose will favor a Pearl Flash.
The stiffer wire on the Bladed Tour Grade Titanium Umbrella Rig provides more stability than other umbrella rigs while the five blades flash and swivel to attract fish.
Rose’s choice for clear water is the Chrome Sexy Shad, while he opts for Rayburn Red Craw if the water is stained. Rose opts for Fire Craw in muddy conditions.
The Red Eyed Shad has incredible action, premium hooks, 3D eyes, and free-floating rattles. Rose loves this crankbait because of its ability to cover shallow flats while also being extremely efficient around rocks.
He opts for the Green Crawfish in clear water, and switches to a Rootbeer if the water is stained. Fire Craw is Rose’s top choice when fishing in low-vis conditions.
A small-bodied deep diver, the Series 3 is designed to enhance castability, thus reaching maximum depths.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Blue Craw, while more stained water calls for a Bama Craw. Rose prefers Black Blue in muddy water.
The Tour Grade Football Jig is the ultimate jig for deep water fishing. The unique wide shape of the head keeps the bait from getting lodged in rocks and causes the bait to stand up in the water to imitate crawfish.
He opts for Green Gizzard in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Rootbeer, while he will switch to a Fire Craw if the water is muddy.
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. Rose loves that this bait reaches the perfect depth with ease and deflects off of cover to draw reaction bites.
