Strike King pro Dakota Ebare shares his favorite places to target bass in Zone 2 during June.
“Water temperatures will be in the 75- to 85-degree range,” shares Ebare. Ebare expects that bass will be in their post-spawn pattern, with many staying shallow. “Some bluegill will still be spawning, keeping bass shallow. But a large percentage will be focused offshore depending on the fishery,” shares Ebare.
If the water is clear, Ebare prefers the Green Pumpkin. In stained water, he switches to the Red Bug. For muddy water, he will favor a Junebug.
This extra-large 9.5-inch worm is developed to emit an unmistakable tail action that mimics swimming baitfish, driving bass wild. The body of the KVD Zeus Worm is sectioned, so that anglers can easily downsize to a 7-inch worm without losing any of the life-like action of the tail.
Ebare’s choice for clear water is the Green Gizzard, while he opts for Chartreuse Powder Blue if the water is stained or muddy.
The curved bill of the Pro Model 6XD causes faster and deeper dives, making it a top choice in Ebare’s line up.
He opts for the Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to a Red Bug if the water is stained.
The KVD Perfect Plastics Bull Worm targets giant fish with textured "meat" and a beveled bubble tail that trends upward on the retrieve. With the extra salt load, it causes fish to bite and hold on longer, increasing your hook-ups.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Green Pumpkin with Scounbug trailer. In more stained water, Ebare calls for a Blue Craw. Black Blue is Ebare’s go-to in muddy conditions.
The ultimate jig for deep water fishing – the Tour Grade Football Jig has a football-shaped head that gives a better feel of terrain and helps the bait stand on the bottom.
He opts for Bluegill in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Green Pumpkin Gill, while he will switch to a Black Shadow if the water is muddy.
Resembling an injured baitfish, the KVD Popping Perch skips, walks, splashes, and pops like wounded prey, resulting in the finest topwater, hollow body, popping lure.
Strike King pro Clark Wendlandt shares his favorite techniques for fishing in Zone 2 during June.
“One of my favorite things to do in June is start with a topwater early in the morning,” shares Wendlandt. While it is typically pretty hot in Zone 2 during June and many fish have moved to deeper parts of the lake, Wendlandt advises anglers to also look shallow. “It’s usually hot and a lot of fish have moved off shore, but there’s always some fish shallow. Basically, getting out there early, fishing around grass, shallow rock – just about anywhere. Just really focusing on places where fish are looking ambush brim early in the morning,” Wendlandt says.
“Later in the day, most of the fish in June will be moving off shore or off shore already,” says Wendland. He is quick to note – “That doesn’t mean that it’s a long way off the bank, but it’s just off the bank.” Wendlandt loves using Strike King’s 6XD and 8XD in these situations. “My favorite way to fish for those fish are with a deep diving crankbait. I am targeting ledges that are 12-18 feet with 6XD and 8XD,” he says. His key tip for anglers when using these baits – fish them fast. “Usually, those baits work the best fishing them really fast. It sounds crazy that you can reel really, really fast and catch fish, but a lot of times that’s when you get the biggest bites,” Wendlandt says.
If the water is clear or stained, Wendlandt prefers the TN Shad 2.0. In muddy water, he switches to the Bone.
Wendlandt chooses the KVD Sexy Dawg Hard Knock because it’s a premium, “walk-the-dog” topwater lure with great action and is perfect for fishing around rocks and vegetation.
Wendlandt’s choice for clear water is the Natural Shad, while he opts for Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is stained. Citrus Shad is his choice when fishing in muddy conditions.
This legendary lure set the standard for deep diving crankbaits. It is a constant for Wendlandt when fish are holding off humps and deep cover.
He opts for the Natural Shad in clear water, and switches to a Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is stained. In low-vis conditions, he chooses the Citrus Shad.
Wendlandt uses the Pro Model 8XD when fishing in deep structure, points, ledges, or humps.
If the water is clear or stained, he will throw a Green Pumpkin, while more muddy water calls for a Black Blue Flake.
Created to efficiently move through cover without getting hung up, the KVD Game Hawg 4" is supple, and its totally natural build allows it to slither cleanly through vegetation with no loss of action.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy, he will throw the White.
Strike King’s Thunder Cricket was designed by Greg Hackney, Kevin VanDam, and Andy Montgomery and has changed the game for vibrating jigs. Its innovative design provides maximum swimming action, flash, and thump, with a superior hookup ratio.
Faircloth reaches for this topwater killer, particularly in low light conditions when he may find schooling fish on offshore points or above deep grass lines.
He prefers a natural Green Gizzard Shad in clear water but will switch to the Chrome Sexy Shad if the water is slightly stained.
He fishes the Sexy Dawg topwater on a 7’3” medium heavy Signature Series Rod by Lew’s paired with the Lew's HyperMag8.3:1. The fast gear ratio is ideal for solid hooksets on the Sexy Dawg. Like most topwater pros, Faircloth uses 30 lb braid as it floats and helps him achieve the ideal walking action on the Sexy Dawg.
