Zone 6 – September
Strike King pro Easton Fothergill shares his perspective on fishing during the change over from summer to fall in Zone 6.
In September, temps are starting to cool and fish are beginning to think about fall. This instantly triggers the fish to go into a feeding frenzy, which really lasts until the water temps dip into the 40s. Look for fish to be setup in deep water, getting near their wintering holes.
Pair the Rage Swimmer with a 1/2 oz squadron swimbait head and slowly reel on offshore points and humps. Make bomb casts and cover water until you run into fish.
If the water is clear, stained, or muddy, Easton prefers Pearl Flash.
Once you locate a school of fish, this is a great bait to really get the school fired up.
If the water is clear, stained, or muddy, Easton prefers Green Gizzard Shad.
Throw this rig over offshore humps or points. One of the best search baits this time of year to locate fish.
If the water is clear, stained, or muddy Easton prefers Blue Gizzard Shad.
Can either throw this bait threaded on a jig head or on a drop shot. One of the best minnow imitating baits out there, throw this bait near any schools of baitfish you can find.
If the water is clear, Przekurat prefers Pearl Blue Glimmer Back. In stained or muddy water, he switches to Gray Glimmer Pearl Belly.
Throw this bait around any green grass you can find. Make sure you make contact with the grass and feather the bait through.
If the water is clear, stained, or muddy, Easton throws Mouse.
Zone 6 – September
Strike King pro Jay Przekurat shares his perspective on fishing during the change over from summer to fall in Zone 6.
September is when bass start gearing up for the colder weather to come, says Przekurat. “For the month of September in Zone 6, this is what I like to call the ‘transition month.’ This is when the bass are starting to make their way to start feeding up for the long winter ahead,” shares Przekurat.
Based on the drop in water temperatures, bass start to look for new places to feed. “Water temperatures will start to fall into the 60-degree range and the bass will begin to feed in shallower water. Moving from their summertime haunts, I like to intercept these bass on fall feeding spots, or in other terms anywhere there is a lot of bait!” concludes Przekurat.
One of the first baits created by Strike King, the spinnerbait is a tried-and-true choice for bass fishermen for nearly 100 years.
Replicating the flash of a passing baitfish, Tour Grade Spinnerbait attracts the attention of predatory fish.
If the water is clear, Przekurat prefers Blue Glimmer. In stained water, he switches to Chartreuse/White. For muddy water, Przekurat will favor Cole Slaw.
Przekurat opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water while he finds White to be more efficient in stained water. He will use Black when fishing in muddy conditions. He pairs the Skip’N Buzz with a toad trailer.
“I would throw the Skip’N Buzz this time of year because the water is starting to cool off and the bass are going to come back up shallow for a few weeks before the cold weather comes back around,” shares Przekurat. In the upper Midwest, Przekurat finds that big largemouth are typically roaming shallow flats in clear or stained lakes.
Przekurat’s choice stays consistent whether he is fishing in clear, stained, or muddy water – Bone.
KVD Sexy Dawg is a great bait when bass are actively chasing prey.
He opts for Pro Blue in clear water, and switches to Pro Bone if the water is stained or muddy.
KVD J300 is a lethal choice when fish are suspended over cover because it stays in the strike zone longer.
If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin Thunder Cricket, while more stained water calls for Bruiser. In muddy water, Przekurat picks up Black and Blue. He pairs the Thunder Cricket with a Green Pumpkin Blade Minnow.
Ideal choice when fish are chasing baitfish around vegetation. The Blade Minnow trailer allows efficient movement through grass.
He opts for Sweet Shad in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Blue Craw, while he will switch to Chartreuse Black Back if the water is muddy.
Taking the country by storm, Hybrid Hunter is crafted for catching fish that traditional crankbaits miss.