Strike King pro Dakota Ebare shares the places and factors that he is focused on during the month of September in Zone 2.
Although many are looking forward to cooler temperatures in the fall, Zone 2 won’t experience cooler temperatures for another month or two. “Zone 2 will still be smoking hot in September, but the fishing will be starting to heat up as well,” says Ebare. The air temperatures will remain high, but there are changes taking place below the surface of the water that will affect fishing in Zone 2. “The thermocline will begin to rise, causing the fish to start to transition into fall feeding patterns,” shares Ebare. He has two main focuses during September – the thermocline and his selection of baits. Ebare chooses to fish main lake areas where bass will be suspended but doesn’t rule out any main creek areas either.
If the water is clear, Ebare prefers the Tour Grade Spinnerbait in Blue Glimmer. In stained water, he switches to White Sliver. For muddy water, he will favor a Chartreuse White.
This can be an ideal choice for covering water quickly on structure-filled flats. It can be worked through vegetation, bounced off wood cover, and burned just beneath the surface to create a wake.
Ebare’s choice for clear water is Green Gizzard Shad, while he opts for Bone if the water is stained or muddy.
Ebare chooses the KVD Sexy Dawg because it’s a premium, “walk-the-dog” topwater lure with great action. When bass are chasing bait near the surface, he always has one tied on.
He opts for Natural Shad in clear water, and switches to Sexy Shad if the water is stained. Ebare chooses the Black Back Chartreuse in low-vis conditions.
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.
If the water is clear, he will throw Natural Shad, while more stained or muddy water calls for Pro Bone.
The KVD J300 has the perfect combination of roll, wiggle, and flash. High quality features and advanced technologies give this jerkbait the advantage over others of its kind.
He opts for White in clear or stained water. If the water is muddy, he will throw the Chartreuse White.
Strike King’s Tour Grade Buzzbait is made with premium components, such as a sculpted quick-planing head and an exclusive Gamakatsu® hook, making it a go-to in Ebare’s line up.
Strike King pro Todd Faircloth recommends a few key places for anglers to target big bass during September in Zone 2.
As we transition into the fall months, water temperatures begin to drop. “September in Zone 2, we will start cooling off some with water temps generally in the 80's,” share Faircloth. Because of the falling water temperatures, Faircloth has some key locations he suggests during September. “Look for schooling fish at the mouths of major creek arms. The fish will typically be chasing bait in and around timber and grass,” Faircloth advises.
During September, there is one stand out bait for Faircloth – KVD Zeus Worm. When fishing in clear water, he prefers Plum, while Junebug is his choice in stained water. Red Shad is his top option when fishing in low-vis conditions. “The 9.5” Zeus Worm is an excellent choice for trying to catch bigger fish during this time,” Faircloth says. He chooses to fish it around stumps, brush piles, and the outside edge of grass on main lake points and flats, usually in the 10- to 20-feet range.
If the water is clear, Faircloth prefers Green Gizzard. In stained water, he switches to Olive Shad. For muddy water, he will favor Powder Blue Back Chartreuse.
The 5XD dives to around 15-feet and is ideal for deflecting off deeper structure as fish make their way back into shallower flats.
Faircloth’s choice for clear water is Carolina Chrome, while he opts for Bone if the water is stained. Black Lab is Faircloth’s go-to in muddy water.
Faircloth chooses the KVD Sexy Dawg because it’s a premium, “walk-the-dog” topwater lure with great action. When bass are chasing bait near the surface, he always has one tied on.
He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to Junebug if the water is stained. Faircloth chooses a Black Blue Flake for low-vis conditions.
The super versatile Cut-R Worm is perfect for flipping and pitching or Texas and Carolina rigging. The Rage flange on the tail of the Cut-R Worm causes increased action and has the fastest tail flicker rate on the market.
If the water is clear, he will throw Chrome Blue, while more stained water calls for Olive Shad. Gold Black Back is Faircloth’s choice in muddy water.
The Red Eyed Shad has incredible action and features some awesome paint jobs, premium hooks, 3D eyes, and free-floating rattles to give you the best action and sound of any lipless crankbait.
He opts for Pearl in clear or stained water while he will switch to Siren if the water is muddy.
Crafted with the world's best plastics, the Caffeine Shad is extremely soft and pliable, loaded with heavy salt, and strongly laced with real coffee scent. This deadly combination maximizes the Strike King Caffeine Shad's appeal, resulting in a healthy increase in positive hook-ups.
