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 fish are pre-spawn or just starting to spawn, with water temperatures in the upper 50s to mid-60s. VanDam focuses on large flats in natural lakes, using baits that mimic dominant local forage like gobies, crawfish, perch, and bluegill. His go-to search baits include the Red Eyed Shad, J300 Elite Jerkbait, and the Tungsten Thunder Cricket.
On flats with vegetation such as reeds or lily pads, he switches to a Tour Grade Tungsten Thunder Cricket or a swim jig—especially if the water is stained. VanDam adds one crucial tip for northern lakes: don’t overlook red craw colors for pre-spawn bass, as they can be highly effective in clear water.
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.
