Strike King pro Jay Przekurat says that April is when “everything starts to come alive.” Find out how he targets bass during April.

“The long cold winter is finally starting to let up and bass are heading to the shallows to do their annual thing,” starts Przekurat. “Water temps will range from the upper 30's and up to 50-degrees in some places, depending on the spring we have,” he continues. Despite the chilly and changing water temperatures, Przekurat is confident that his bait choices and technique will trigger these fish to bite. “I’m looking for big prespawners in groups roaming the flats ready to stretch their fins out after a long winter. Dragging and slow presentations are my most produced techniques for catching these lethargic bass in the month of April,” Przekurat concludes.

BAIT 1: Strike King 2.75” Fat Coffee Tube

If the water is clear, Przekurat prefers Green Pumpkin Purple. In stained water, he switches to Light Melon Purple. For muddy water, he will favor Magic Goby.

The coffee scent causes fish to hold onto the tube longer while masking human and plastic scents. The small tails of the Fat Coffee Tube replicate falling baitfish/prey in the water, attracting more strikes.

BAIT 2: Strike King 3.25” Rage Swimmer

Przekurat’s choice for clear water is Electric Shad, while he opts for Green Pumpkin Pearl if the water is stained. He picks up Green Gizzard Shad in muddy water conditions.

If fish are not chasing a fast-moving bait, the Rage Swimmer will often trigger fish to respond. The beauty of the Rage Swimmer is that the legendary tail maintains its swimming action whether burned through a school of feeding fish, or slowly crawled across the bottom or through cover.

BAIT 3: Strike King Ned Ocho

He opts for Green Pumpkin in clear water, and switches to Dirt if the water is stained. Black Blue Flake is a go-to for Przekurat when fishing in low-vis conditions.

The heavily ribbed, octagonal design of the KVD Perfect Plastics Ned Ocho has a slow sink rate and an exclusive coffee scent for a bait that takes the Ned rig to another level.

BAIT 4: Strike King Ned Cut-R Worm

If the water is clear, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while more stained water calls for Bama Craw. Przekurat opts for the Summer Craw in muddy water.

A smaller profile that packs all the punch, Strike King’s Ned Cut-R Worm is extremely effective with a wide variety of techniques but dominates on a ned rig. The lively action and proven colors make this a stand out bait in your arsenal.

He will use the same rod as with his Skip N’ Buzz, but pairs it with a Lew’s HyperMag reel, spooled with 20 lb fluorocarbon line.

BAIT 5: Strike King J300

He opts for Sexy Shad in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Pro Bone, while he will switch to a Chartreuse Sexy Shad if the water is muddy.

Known to have the perfect combination of roll, wiggle, and flash, the KVD J300 has increased castability, 3D eyes, and premium black nickel hooks, resulting in lethal action.