Strike King pro Clark Wendlandt weighs in on the best fishing in Zone 2 for the month of July.
With the higher temperatures in Zone 2, Wendlandt suggests fishing early in the morning. “With the water temperature in the ‘80s and ‘90s, I would fish topwater early in the morning on either rocky shorelines or around vegetation,” says Wendlandt.
If fishing a bit later in the day, you are not completely out of luck. Wendlandt shares, “For the rest of the day, I would look at deep structure, points, ledges, and humps – 10- to 20-feet of water is ideal.”
Wendlandt uses the KVD Sexy Dawg Hard Knock when fishing along a rocky shoreline or around vegetation.
If the water is clear or stained, Wendlandt prefers TN Shad 2.0. He will switch to Black Lab in muddy water.
Wendlandt uses the 6XD when fishing in deep structure, points, ledges, or humps.
Wendlandt’s choice for clear water is Natural Shad, while he opts for Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is stained. When the water is muddy, he reaches for Citrus Shad.
Wendlandt uses the 8XD when fishing in deep structure, points, ledges, or humps.
He opts for Natural Shad in clear water, and switches to Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is stained. Muddy water calls for Citrus Shad.
If fish are holding in deeper structure or near points and ledges, Wendlandt attacks with a Carolina Rigged Game Hawg.
If the water is clear or stained, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while muddy water calls for Black Blue Flake.
Wendlandt throws a Thunder Cricket paired with a Blade Minnow trailer as his go-to when fishing in deep structure, points, ledges, or humps.
If the water is clear or stained, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while he will switch to White if the water is muddy.
Strike King pro Todd Faircloth shares his favorite fishing spot in Zone 2 during July.
“In Zone 2 in July, mostly all of the fish are in their typical summertime routine,” Faircloth says. With water temperatures in the 90’s, Faircloth has a few key areas that he recommends.
“Fish will be relating to the outside edge grass lines. They will also be relating to offshore humps and ridges that have stumps and brush piles,” shares Faircloth. But for Faircloth, there is one location that he feels is the most productive during July – main lake. “I like to concentrate my efforts fishing the main lake at this time,” he concludes.
If the water is clear, Faircloth prefers Red Bug. In stained water, he switches to Junebug. For muddy water, Faircloth will favor Black Blue Flake.
The Rage flange on the tail of the Cut-R Worm causes increased action and has the fastest tail flicker rate on the market. The Rage Cut-R Worm is perfect for flipping and pitching or Texas and Carolina rigging.
Faircloth’s choice for clear water is Blue Craw, while he opts for Black Blue Flake if the water is stained or muddy.
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If the water is clear, he will throw Melon Bug, while more stained or muddy water calls for Junebug.
The Zeus Worm is developed with the advanced Perfect Plastics pouring system to create vivid, strike-enticing colors and features an unmistakable tail action that mimics swimming baitfish, driving bass wild. The body is sectioned, so that anglers can easily downsize to a 7-inch worm without losing any of the life-like action of the tail.
He opts for Neon Shad in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy, he will throw 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.
