Strike King pro Greg Bohannan lets us in on why March is one of his favorite times to fish in Zone 4.
“March is one of my favorite months of the year in our zone!” exclaims Bohannan. Bohannan expects water temperatures to be in the high 40s and 50s and for bass to be transitioning this month in Zone 4. “As the water starts to move into the 50s, the bass really begin to feed to prepare for the spawn. This is the time of year that bass will transition from shad to crawfish,” says Bohannan.
When headed out, Bohannan advises that anglers look for the right spot. “The last channel swing banks or the last deep water in a creek or cove will be very productive. Forty-five-degree chunk rock banks, bluff ends, and depths from 2- to 6-feet will also be very productive,” shares Bohannan.
If the water is clear, Bohannan prefers the Spring Craw. In stained water, he switches to Tomato Soup. For muddy water, he will favor Fire Craw.
The Chick Magnet is one of the best options for flat sided crankbaits on the market. The flat size allows for incredible thump while maintaining a tight action.
Bohannan’s choice for clear water is Watermelon Red Craw, while he opts for Brown Craw if the water is stained. The Delta Craw is Bohannan’s choice for muddy water.
Like the original, the KVD 1.5 Hard Knock bounces and deflects off of cover while emitting an erratic searching action. The 1.5 Hard Knock gives off a loud “thud” unlike any other crankbait.
He opts for Brown Craw in clear water, and switches to Chili Craw if the water is stained. Bohannan will grab Fire Craw when fishing in low-vis conditions.
Bohannan favors the Red Eyed Shad because of its efficiency in covering shallow flats while also being great around rocks and other structure.
If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while more stained water calls for Blue Craw. Fire Craw is Bohannan’s go-to if fishing in muddy conditions.
The Thunder Cricket features the jungle style flipping hook and an ultra-thin, ultra-stiff stainless steel blade with Strike King’s Panther Hide Paint finish. Its innovative design provides maximum swimming action, flash, and thump, with a superior hookup ratio.
He opts for Watermelon Red in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Mizzou Craw, while he will switch to Black Blue if the water is muddy.
The answer for finessing finicky fish, the Tour Grade Finesse Football Jig features a sculpted, football-shaped head and the 60-degree flat hook eye that stays flush with the head to keep your knot in the proper position, and the exclusive Gamakatsu hooks are designed to maximize your hookup ratio.
Bohannan prefers Phantom Watermelon Craw in clear water and switches over to Green Gourd in stained conditions. Chili Craw is his choice in low-vis conditions.
Strike King pros Todd Castledine and Kevin VanDam worked diligently to design the Gravel Dawg to create the ideal, “go to” medium-diving crankbait that grinds through rock, wood, and grass better any medium-diving crankbait in its class.
Strike King pro Scott Suggs expects for water temperatures to be in the low 50’s in Zone 4 with bass feeding up and hiding out in holding spots.
During March, Suggs targets transition banks and channel swings. Depending on the depth he is aiming for, he likes to throw the KVD J300 Deep Sinking near 45-degree banks to target suspended fish. Because of its ability to reach any depth with ease, the J300 Deep Sinking is a favorite for Suggs during this time of year.
“I also like secondary ditch swings,” says Suggs. He is often on the lookout for ditches in the back of bays and fishes close to the bank where there are transition banks. “Once you get it dialed in you can, you can pattern the lake and eliminate a lot of water,” he says.
If the water is clear, Suggs prefers Phantom Watermelon Red Craw. In stained water, he switches to Delta Red. For muddy water, he will favor Black Back Chartreuse.
Deep diving crankbaits are common, but the unique curved bills of the XD series allow the bait to dive deeper and faster, changing the deep diving crankbait game forever.
He opts for Clearwater Minnow in clear water, and switches to Crystal Shad if the water is stained. Suggs picks up Citrus Shad in low-vis conditions.
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 on the boat deck this time of year.
If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin Craw, while more stained water calls for Bama Craw. He prefers Black Blue in low-vis water. Suggs uses a Green Pumpkin Midsize Rage Bug in all water conditions.
Created for deep water fishing, the Tour Grade Football Jig has a wide, football shaped head that helps the bait “stand up” in the water.
He opts for Craw Daddy in clear water. If the water is stained or muddy, he will throw Blue Craw.
As you move the Rage Ned Bug through the water, its flanged appendages thump and kick to create a disturbance below the surface. Strike King’s Rage Ned Bug fits perfectly on a Ned Rig Head to create the ultimate smaller creature presentation.
Strike King pro Brent Chapman predicts bass patterns in Zone 4 during March.
“In March, Zone 4 is full down prespawn. The fish are on the move!” says Chapman, excitedly. While the water temperatures are still in the lower 40s to upper 50s, this is one of the best times to fish in Zone 4. “Rock is the best cover to look for, the steeper rock banks headed into spawning coves or flats are great!” shares Chapman.
If the water is clear, Chapman prefers the Brown Craw. In stained water, he switches to the Fire Craw. For muddy water, he will favor Orange Belly Craw.
For chasing active fish and power fishing, the KVD 2.5 is great for covering water quickly.
Chapman’s choice for clear water is the Brown Craw, while he opts for Fire Craw if the water is stained. Orange Belly Craw is Chapman’s top choice in muddy water.
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.
He opts for the Green Pumpkin Craw in clear water, and switches to a Texas Craw if the water is stained. Chapman goes for the Black Blue in low-vis conditions.
Designed to be the ultimate jig for skipping under docks, Strike King Tour Grade Skipping Jig is built with a super strong and sharp Gamakatsu hook for strong hooksets and resistance to bending when fished in hard cover.
If the water is clear, he will throw a Green Pumpkin, while more stained or muddy water calls for a Fire Craw.
Changing the game for vibrating jigs, Thunder Cricket Vibrating Jig has a Jungle-style flipping hook and ultra-stiff, stainless-steel blade for unmistakable movement in the water.
He opts for Sexy Shad in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Chartreuse White, while he will switch to a Super Chartreuse if the water is muddy.
The Hack Attack Heavy Cover Spinnerbait is the ideal bait of choice when fishing around heavy grass, laydowns, brush piles, stumps and more. This spinnerbait can get through anything and find the giants that are buried in the heaviest of cover.
