Strike King pro Jay Przekurat says that April is when “everything starts to come alive.” Find out how he targets bass during April.
“The long cold winter is finally starting to let up and bass are heading to the shallows to do their annual thing,” starts Przekurat. “Water temps will range from the upper 30's and up to 50-degrees in some places, depending on the spring we have,” he continues. Despite the chilly and changing water temperatures, Przekurat is confident that his bait choices and technique will trigger these fish to bite. “I’m looking for big prespawners in groups roaming the flats ready to stretch their fins out after a long winter. Dragging and slow presentations are my most produced techniques for catching these lethargic bass in the month of April,” Przekurat concludes.
Przekurat’s choice for clear water is Electric Shad, while he opts for Green Pumpkin Pearl if the water is stained. He picks up Green Gizzard Shad in muddy water conditions.
If fish are not chasing a fast-moving bait, the Rage Swimmer will often trigger fish to respond. The beauty of the Rage Swimmer is that the legendary tail maintains its swimming action whether burned through a school of feeding fish, or slowly crawled across the bottom or through cover.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to Dirt if the water is stained. Black Blue Flake is a go-to for Przekurat when fishing in low-vis conditions.
The heavily ribbed, octagonal design of the KVD Perfect Plastics Ned Ocho has a slow sink rate and an exclusive coffee scent for a bait that takes the Ned rig to another level.
If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while more stained water calls for Bama Craw. Przekurat opts for the Summer Craw in muddy water.
A smaller profile that packs all the punch, Strike King’s Ned Cut-R Worm is extremely effective with a wide variety of techniques but dominates on a ned rig. The lively action and proven colors make this a stand out bait in your arsenal.
He will use the same rod as with his Skip N’ Buzz, but pairs it with a Lew’s HyperMag reel, spooled with 20 lb fluorocarbon line.
He opts for Sexy Shad in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Pro Bone, while he will switch to a Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is muddy.
Known to have the perfect combination of roll, wiggle, and flash, the KVD J300 has increased castability, 3D eyes, and premium black nickel hooks, resulting in lethal action.
Strike King pro Mark Zona says Zone 5 “contains most of the best smallmouth waters in the country, but it’s also an amazing largemouth destination as well."
In the month of April, it's basically late winter in Zone 5 & 6. 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.”
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 & 6. “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 opts for Smokey Shad in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy, he will switch to Arkansas Shiner.
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.
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 15lb braid for the Ned Rigged Baby Z-Too.
Zona's choice for clear water is KVD Kick, and he opts for Green Pumpkin Purple and Gold in stained or low-vis conditions.
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.
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.
If the water is clear, Zona prefers Crystal Shad, while he opts for Clearwater Minnow in stained water. Summer Sexy Shad is his top choice when fishing in low-vis conditions.
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.
Zona 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.
Zona's top choice for clear water is KVD Kick. He opts for Green Pumpkin Purple and Gold if the water is muddy or stained.
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.
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.
