Strike King pro Kevin VanDam is 100% focused on one area of the lake during May in Zone 6 – flats.
“During May in Zone 6, most of the fish are pre-spawn or starting to spawn. Water temperatures should be in the upper 50’s to mid-60’s. During this time of the year, I’m focused 100% on the large flats that you’ll find in natural lakes,” shares VanDam. With pre-spawn fish feeding aggressively, KVD chooses baits that replicate dominate forage in the area. “Gobies, crawfish, perch, and bluegill will be some of the dominant forage that aggressive pre-spawners will be targeting. My initial approach to breaking down flats is starting with three of my favorite search baits... The Red Eyed Shad, J300 Elite Jerkbait, and Tungsten Thunder Cricket,” says KVD.
When fishing on flats with any type of structure or vegetation, KVD switches up his baits to match. “If I’m covering flats with good vegetation; reeds, lily pads, etc., I’ll opt for the Tour Grade Tungsten Thunder Cricket and a Tour Grade Swim jig… especially if the water is stained or dirty,” he says.
One last tip that KVD recommends for anglers in Zone 6? “I’m telling you, there’s something really neat going on right now with red craw colors on clear, northern lakes. If the fish are pre-spawn in Zone 6, don’t leave home without your favorite craw options,” insists KVD.
If the water is clear, VanDam prefers Orange Belly Craw. In stained water, he switches to Chartreuse Perch. For muddy water, he will favor Fire Craw.
Created by our national pro staff, Strike King’s Red Eyed Shad is the lipless crankbait you need on your boat deck. Premium 3D eyes, exclusive color schemes, and a free-floating rattle place the Red Eyed Shad a step ahead of other lipless crankbaits.
KVD’s choice for clear water is TN Shad 2.0, while he opts for Pro Gold if the water is stained. In muddy conditions, he will choose Siren.
Taking performance to the next level, Strike King’s KVD J300 Elite Jerkbait has a proprietary weight transfer system to maximize casting distance and three premium black nickel hooks to deliver lethal action every time.
While he maintains Fire Craw Blade Minnow trailer for each water condition, he opts for Blue Craw Tungsten Thunder Cricket in clear water, and switches to Bruiser if the water is stained. In muddy water, he chooses to match his trailer and uses the Fire Craw Tungsten Thunder Cricket.
With the finest quality tour grade tungsten head, anglers finally have a small profile Strike King bladed jig without compromising Thunder Cricket’s most important features. The Tungsten Thunder Cricket also features the same long shank, super tough jungle-style hook as the original.
If the water is clear, he will throw Blue Craw with Fire Craw trailer, while more stained water calls for Bluegill with Fire Craw trailer. The Black N Blue Swim Jig with California Craw Rage Craw trailer.
Designed with a streamlined, balanced head for better swimming action, the Tour Grade Swim Jig features an ultra-sharp wire hook and soft plastic keeper to keep your trailer in place and a Perfect Skirt in a variety of colors to match your current fishing situation.
KVD likes to pair the Coffee Tube with a 3/16-1/4 oz. tube head.
He opts for Melon Purple in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Dark Melon, while he will switch to a Black Neon if the water is muddy.
Strike King’s Coffee Tubes are scented with real coffee granules and coffee bean oil for a strong natural scent that bass cannot resist, resulting in a higher number of aggressive strikes on your line.
