Strike King pro Todd Faircloth lets us in on his favorite places to fish during the coldest month of the year in Zone 2. 

“Water temps at this time of year are normally in the upper 40s or lower 50s. This is usually the coldest month of the year for Zone 2,” shares Faircloth. With the colder temperatures, fish are adjusting their feeding patterns. “Most of the fish are in their winter patterns. Focus primarily on main lake points and the mouths of major creeks – in the 20- to 30-foot depth range,” says Faircloth. In addition to focusing on the 20- to 30-foot depth range, Faircloth also advises that anglers to “look for bait balls around stumps, brush piles, or hard spots – the bass will normally be close by.”

BAIT 1: Strike King Mark Rose Lil Ledge Spoon

If the water is clear, Faircloth prefers Chrome. In stained water, he switches to Pearl. 

The Lil Ledge Spoon is designed to emit a realistic fluttering action and has a built-in swivel to alleviate line twist. The Mustad tripe grip treble hook delivers strong hooksets. 

BAIT 2: Strike King ¾ oz Tour Grade Football Jig with Rage Craw trailer

Faircloth’s choice for clear water is Peanut Butter & Jelly, while he opts for Blue Craw if the water is stained. In muddy water, Faircloth favors Black Blue. 

Created for deep water fishing, the Tour Grade Football Jig has a wide, football shaped head that helps the bait “stand up” in the water. 

BAIT 3: Strike King Caffeine Shad

He opts for Green Pumpkin Sapphire in clear water, and switches to Pearl Blue if the water is stained.

Faircloth chooses the best soft jerkbait bait on the market, Caffeine Shad, for a realistic presentation in the water to attract more bites. 

BAIT 4: Strike King Rage Swimmer

If the water is clear, he will throw Electric Shad, while more stained water calls fo Pro Blue Red Pearl. When fishing in low-vis conditions, Faircloth opts for Pearl. 

With a unique and exclusive tail design, Rage Swimmer provides anglers with a custom, hi-grade soft bait with superior action. The Rage Swimmer is also ideal on a Strike King Squadron Head.

BAIT 5: Strike King Rage Bug

He opts for Rage Bug Green Pumpkin in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw the Watermelon Red Flake, while he will switch to a Black Blue if the water is muddy.

Crafted to be the ultimate flip bait, the unique streamlined shape of the body allows it to easily move through cover with an unmistakable crawfish glide.

BAIT 6: Strike King KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait

Faircloth goes with Crystal Shad in clear water and switches to Chartreuse Sexy Shad in stained water. Sexy Shad is his choice in muddy conditions. 

The KVD J300 Deep Sinking Jerkbait allows you to fish a jerkbait in depths that no other jerkbait can get to. It is weighted perfectly to sink nearly 0.5-feet per second and maintains the amazing erratic action of the standard KVD 300 Deep Jerkbait.