Zone 3 – September
Strike King pro Tristan McCormick shares why September is one of his favorite months to fish and why his top lures are sure to land some big bites in Zone 3.
“With water temperatures still pretty high, fish are very active! These fish are grouped up in big schools smashing bait. It’s unbelievable to watch it happen!” says McCormick. Often times, McCormick finds that most fish will be extremely high in the water column during September, some as close as 5-feet below the surface. For situations like this, McCormick trusts the KVD Sexy Dawg Hard Knock. “Once you get some blow ups and reel some in and the school calms down, you can take a Baby Z-Too on a ball lead head and throw to them and clean up the school,” advises McCormick.
Ultimately, McCormick is very confident about one thing – “You can take any of these tactics and baits across Zone 3 and absolutely smash them!”
If the water is clear, McCormick prefers Morning Dawn. In stained water, he switches to Sexy Shad. For muddy water, he will favor Natural Shad.
The Strike King KVD Filler Worm is designed to be fished for a finesse presentation, featuring a wide head for added durability, increasing the strength of the plastic to last for multiple fish catches.
McCormick’s choice for clear water is Pearl, while he opts for The Deal if the water is stained. Blue Glimmer is McCormick’s first choice in muddy or low-vis conditions.
This legendary drop shot bait fishes more like a traditional soft plastic jerkbait. When Przekurat needs to slow his presentation for lethargic fish, he will turn to the Baby Z-Too.
He opts for a Carolina Chrome Sexy Dawg Hard Knock in clear or stained water, and switches to Bone if the water is muddy.
This topwater bait is known for its premium “walk-the-dog” action. The hard knock rattle chamber emits a deep knocking sound to attract attention from hungry fish.
If the water is clear, he will throw Blue Glimmer, while more stained water calls for Green Pumpkin. Chartreuse White is a top choice for McCormick when fishing in muddy water. He pairs the jig with a Pearl Blade Minnow trailer.
In the morning, McCormick finds the best bites when bank fishing, focusing on bank grass, docks, and lay downs. “Covering water with a Tungsten Thunder Cricket can generate you some big largemouth bucket heads,” shares McCormick.
He opts for Pro Shizzle in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Pro Oyster, while he will switch to Pro Siren if the water is muddy.
McCormick also focuses on brush piles during this time of year. “Using your forward-facing sonar in today’s world is a big player. That’s when the KVD Elite 300 Jerkbait comes into play. Making these fish come out of the pile and react. It’s another awesome bite!” assures McCormick.
Zone 3 – September
Strike King pro Dylan Akins breaks down his go-to strategies for finding bass in Zone 3.
In September in Zone 3, Dylan Akins expects water temperatures to be in the mid-80's. He says bass will be mostly on the main lake, but will start their fall transition into creeks chasing herring or threadfin shad. He typically targets cane piles, brush, docks, and pockets.
If the water is clear, Akins prefers Ghost. In stained or muddy water, he switches to Pearl.
When the bass are schooling, Dylan will throw a Caffeine Shad. He'll either throw the Caffeine Shad on a weightless texas rig or on a jighead.
Akins chooses Morning Dawn for clear water, while he opts for Green Pumpkin if the water is stained or muddy.
When bass are more finicky, Dylan will throw a filler worm on a drop shot rig. He'll throw this around cover, especially mid-day with high sunny skies.
Dylan will throw a Sexy Frog around cover and shallow structure/vegetation.
He opts for Black in clear or muddy water and throw Bottoms Up in stained.
Also in the backs of creeks, Dylan will throw a Gurgle Toad on a buzzbait shallow.
If the water is clear, he will throw White, while more stained and muddy water calls for Black.
Akins opts for Green Gizzard in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Bone while he will switch to Black Lab if the water is muddy.
Dylan will throw a Sexy Dawg around main lake points, backs of pockets, and on schooling fish.