Strike King and Lew’s pro Bill Lowen articulates his strategy for finding bass in Zone 4.
Lowen offers that the key to locating bass in this zone during the month of April is locating the first "transition spot" near a pocket as bass move from their wintering holes in search of shallow spawning areas. “As the water temperature increases from the low to high 50's, you'll want to be looking for the last deep water near pockets. Depending on the body of water you're fishing, this could be channel swings, creeks, or bluff walls that transition to a shallower pocket,” Indiana native says. “While 60-degrees is considered the magic number, temperatures in the upper 50's can trigger early spawners to move to these shallow pockets. In many cases, some of the biggest bass can be caught during this time as they look to spawn during the first wave of ideal conditions.”
Lowen fishes this flat-sided crankbait around chunk rock and pea gravel as bass are transitioning from deeper water to traditional spawning areas. The bait excels in cooler water and is exceptional at bouncing off rock and cover.
If the water is stained, Bill prefers the Baby Carp Chick Magnet. In stained water, he switches to either the Tip’s Special or the Chartreuse Copper, while in muddy water, he will favor a Fire Craw.
Lowen fishes the Chick Magnet on a Lew’s 7’ Pro Ti Rod, pairing it with a Lew’s 6.2:1 reel. He fishes the flat-sided crankbait rig on 12 lb flurocarbon line.
Lowen fishes the 3” or 4” flipping bait around laydowns, docks, and isolated wood. He pitches the bait on a 1/4 oz. weight.
Bill’s choice for clear water is the Black Blue Flake or Green Pumpkin, and usually opts for the same in stained water.
He switches to a Lew’s 7’6” Custom Speed Stick for the Rodent presentation and pairs it with a Custom SLP 7.5:1 Reel. Lowen relies on 17-20 lb. fluorocarbon line to handle the Rodent in heavy cover.
This is one of Bill’s top choices when fish are moving into spawning areas. Like the Rodent, he fishes the Strike King Rage Bug around laydowns and docks.
Lowen reaches for the Black Blue Flake or Green Pumpkin.
Lowen throws the Rage Bug on a Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Magnum Bass Rod with a Custom SLP 7.5:1 Reel.
He spools 17-20 lb. fluorocarbon line.
If Lowen is looking for a little variety around laydowns, docks and cover, he will often pitch a Coffee Tube on a 1/4 oz. weight.
Just as with his other soft plastics, Bill’s choice for clear water is the Black Blue Flake or Green Pumpkin, and usually opts for the same in stained water.
As with the Rage Bug, Lowen throws the Coffee Tube on a Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Magnum Bass Rod with a Custom SLP 7.5:1 Reel.
He spools 17-20 lb. fluorocarbon line.
Lowen is not often on the lake without a Strike King Spinnerbait nearby. He pitches the spinnerbait when he
Lowen is not often on the lake without a Strike King Spinnerbait nearby. He pitches the spinnerbait when he needs a lure with a little more movement around cover.
He relies on the popular White/Silver or Olive Shad in clear water and opts for no trailer. If the water is stained he will throw the White/Chartreuse, with a Strike King Caffeine Shad or Rage Shad trailer.
Lowen’s Spinnerbait rig is a Lew’s 7’ Custom Speed Stick paired with a HyperMag 7.5:1 reel. He spools this with 20 lb fluorocarbon line.
