Strike King pro Greg Bohannan highlights some of the best spots to fish during January in Zone 4.
Bohannan encourages anglers to locate shad when trying to track down schools of bass. “Shad location will be a key factor in locating schools of bass. Start by graphing the ‘guts’ of the major creek arms on your reservoir. Establish the depth at which the majority of the schools of bait are located and begin to target those depths,” advises Bohannan.
Bohannan finds one thing particularly useful during the winter months – technology. “Electronics will play a major role in the winter months of our zone. Try to work the bait above the bait balls or target specific bass located around the school,” shares Bohannan.
If the water is clear, Bohannan prefers the Ghost Shad. In stained water, he switches to the Electric Shad. For muddy water, Bohannan will favor a Pearl Flash.
Delivering superior action every time you hit the water, the Rage Swimmer provides anglers with a custom, hi-grade soft bait with a unique and exclusive tail design.
Bohannan’s choice for clear water is the Chrome, while he opts for White Chrome if the water is stained. In low-vis conditions, Bohannan reaches for the Sexy Shad.
The side-to-side sweeping action caused by the unique curvature toward the center of the spoon causes the Mark Rose Lil Ledge Spoon to stand out against other flutter spoons. Lil Ledge Spoon has the finesse presentation anglers are looking for.
He opts for the White in clear water, and switches to a Sexy Blue Herring if the water is stained. In muddy water, Bohannan chooses Bluegill. Bohannan uses a Menace trailer along with the swimming jig.
The streamlined, balanced head of the Tour Grade Swimming Jig provides excellent swimming action and is complete with a medium wire ultra-sharp hook.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Sexy Shad, while more stained water calls for a Neon Shad. When the water is muddy, he chooses a Chartreuse Shad.
Made to emulate dying bait fish, the flutter and fall of the Sexy Spoon is incredible. Best when fished around submerged brush, muscle beds, or deep grass and vegetation.
He opts for Ghost Shad Rage Swimmer in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Electric Shad, while he will switch to a Pearl Flash if the water is muddy.
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.
Strike King pro Mark Rose shares his tips for fishing in Zone 4 during January.
“It’s wintertime in Zone 4 from the West to East coast. Water temperatures are cold – low to mid 40s,” starts Rose. Based on the steep drop in water temperature, bass will be in a full-blown winter pattern. “Bass will be near the steepest contours and drops so that they can move up on warmer days and down on the colder,” shares Rose.
Rose does have one tip that he assures makes all the difference – “Try to plan your fishing trips in the warmest part of the day… The fish will likely be more active,” concludes Rose.
If the water is clear, Rose prefers the Pro Blue. In stained water, he switches to the Chrome if it’s sunny, and the Sexy Shad if it’s cloudy. For muddy water, Rose will favor a Chartreuse Sexy Shad.
Diving up to 11-feet, the KVD J300 Deep has increased castability, 3D eyes, and premium black nickel hooks for lethal action. This bait excels in Zone 4, but anglers from coast to coast keep the J300 Deep on the boat deck this time of year.
Rose’s choice for clear or stained water is the Green Pumpkin Craw, while he opts for Black Blue if the water is muddy.
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 the Ghost Shad in clear water, and switches to a Pearl Flash if the water is stained.
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.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Chrome, while more stained water calls for a White Chrome. For muddy fishing conditions, Rose will pick up a Pearl.
Designed by the “ledge” expert, Mark Rose, the Lil Ledge Spoon emits a realistic fluttering action and has a built-in swivel to alleviate line twist.
He opts for Green Crawfish in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Brown Craw, while he will switch to a Chili Craw if the water is muddy.
The curved bill of the 3XD causes faster and deeper dives, making it a top choice in Rose’s line up during the winter months.
