Mark Zona points anglers in the right direction for targeting bass in Zones 5 during the month of May.

In May, Zona advises that the fish are coming in numbers and focused on one thing – eating. “What I'm looking for is the biggest dinner plate that the body of water can offer - which are flats. [Flats] warm the fastest and is also going to be very close to where they'll spawn in late May going into June,” shares Zona. He is always on the hunt to find the areas in which there is a mixture of cover – grass to gravel, gravel to sand – and where there is a lot of wind. Zona also focuses on using moving baits. “The summary here – we're throwing all moving baits and collision baits. Don't get me wrong, I use slower baits, but I primarily use moving baits to find them before using something slower. The fish are aggressive enough that you definitely want to start with the moving baits,” offers Zona.

BAIT 1: Strike King ½ oz. Red Eyed Shad

Zona uses this ½-oz. lipless crankbait when fishing in flats, including grass, gravel, and sand.

If the water is clear, Zona prefers Bluegill. In stained water, he switches to Baby Carp. For muddy water, Zona will favor Tomato.

Zona fishes the Red Eyed Shad  on a Lew's Signature Series KVD 7’ Cranking Rod, pairing it with a Lew's Pro TI 7.5:1 baitcast reel. 

He fishes with 15 lb. fluorocarbon line.

BAIT 2: Strike King ½ oz. Thunder Cricket

Zona likes to fish with the ½-oz. Thunder Cricket when fishing flats, including grass, gravel, and sand.

Zona’s choice for clear water is Green Pumpkin, while he opts for Blue Craw if the water is stained. In muddy conditions, Zona prefers Fire Craw.

He switches to a Lew's KVD Series 7’4” Squarebill Rod and pairs it with a Lew's HyperMag 8.3:1 baitcast reel.

He uses 20 lb. fluorocarbon line with this set up.

BAIT 3: Strike King KVD J300

This KVD J300 is one of Zona‘s top choices when fishing flats where there is grass, gravel, and sand.

He opts for Clearwater Minnow in clear water and switches to Clear Ayu if the water is stained. Summer Sexy Shad is Zona’s choice when fishing in muddy water.

Zona throws the KVD J300 on a Lew’s 7’ Medium Heavy Rod and a Lew's Custom Lite 7.5:1 reel.

He spools the combo with 12 lb. fluorocarbon line.

BAIT 4: Strike King 3.75" Rage Swimmer

Zona uses the 3.75" Rage Swimmer when fishing grass, gravel, and sand flats.

If the water is clear, he will throw Pro Blue Red Pearl, while more stained water calls for Ayu. In muddy conditions, Zona prefers Pearl Flash.

He uses the Rage Swimmer on a Lew's Signature Series 7’ Mark Rose Rod, paired with a Lew's Pro TI 7.5:1 baitcast reel.

Zona spools his combo with 12-15 lb. fluorocarbon line depending on the depth.

BAIT 5: Strike King ¼-½ oz. Hack Attack Swim Jig

Zona typically uses the ¼-½ oz. Hack Attack Swim Jig when fishing on flats in 5 feet or less of water.

He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Blue Craw, while he will switch to BnB or White if the water is muddy.

Zona fishes the Hack Attack Swim Jig on a Lew’s Andy Montgomery 7’3” Bladed Swimjig Rod, paired with a Lew's Pro TI 7.5:1 reel.

He spools this with 30 lb. braided line.