Zone 1 – May
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Strike King and Lew’s pro Shaw Grigsby shares his philosophy for topwater fishing in Zone 1 during May. “May is just a great time to fish no matter where you are in this zone,” shares Grigsby. Fish are still in shallower waters following spawning season, making May one of the best times for topwater fishing. Grigsby advises anglers in Zone 1 to target any sort of cover close to spawning pockets. “Grass is my go-to, but wood can be just as good,” says Grigsby. During the month of May, the fish are typically much more aggressive, so different lures are needed to get their attention. “You are trying to throw lures that imitate anything that might want to eat their fry. The Popping Perch is my absolute favorite because of its versatility,” says Grigsby. When targeting thick, matted vegetation, Grigsby reaches for the Sexy Frog. No matter what you are choosing to fish with, Grigsby shares one crucial piece of advice – “Give the fish time to eat it. Anglers tend to think that they have to blast fish immediately, but the half second delay is key to connecting on the fish.” If the fish aren’t feeding on top, Grigsby switches to the Magnum Rage Cut-R Worm because it fishes like a 9-inch worm due to the swimming tail action.
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KVD SEXY DAWG
BAIT 1: Strike King Sexy Dawg
Grigsby often uses Sexy Dawg along grass edges and in more open water to avoid getting hung up.
If the water is clear, Grigsby prefers Bluegill. In stained water, he switches to Bone color. For muddy water, Grigsby will favor Black Lab.
Grigsby fishes the Sexy Dawg on a Team Lew's Signature Series KVD Jerkbait 6’10” medium heavy rod, pairing it with a Lew's HyperMag 7.5:1 baitcast reel.
He fishes the Sexy Dawg rig on 40 lb. braided line with a 17-20 lb. monofilament leader.
KVD SEXY FROG
BAIT 2: Strike King Sexy Frog
Most often used by Grigsby in matted grass, the Sexy Frog is great in thick vegetation.
Grigsby’s choice for clear water is Pearl White while he opts for Black in stained or muddy water.
He switches to a Team Lew's Custom Pro 7’3” medium heavy rod and pairs it with a Lew's Custom SLP 7.5:1 baitcast reel.
CAFFEINE SHAD 5" SOFT JERKBAIT
BAIT 3: Strike King Caffeine Shad 5" Soft Jerkbait
The Caffeine Shad 5" Soft Jerkbait is Grigsby’s top choice when fish are in cover, such as wood and shallow grasses.
He opts for Watermelon Red Flake in clear water but prefers KVD Shad in stained water. For muddy conditions, Grigsby favors Pearl.
Grigsby throws the Caffeine Shad on a Lew's Signature Series 7’2” Zona Spinning Rod and Lew's HyperMag spinning reel.
He spools the combo with 12 lb. fluorocarbon line.
KVD POPPING PERCH
BAIT 4: Strike King KVD Popping Perch
Grigsby utilizes KVD Popping Perch in emergent grass, grass edges, along bushes, and when skipping docks.
If the water is clear, he will throw White Shadow while more stained or muddy waters call for Bottoms Up.
He fishes on a Team Lew's Custom Pro 7’3” medium heavy rod, paired with a Lew's Custom SLP 7.5:1 baitcast reel.
Grigsby spools his combo with 65 lb. braided line.
RAGE CUT-R-WORM 7"
BAIT 5: Strike King Magnum Rage Cut-R- Worm
Shaw prefers to Texas rig the Rage Cut-R-Worm with a 1/8 oz weight to swim the worm along the edges of cover. If he is pitching into heavy cover, he will often switch to a 1/4 oz weight to allow the Cut-R-Worm to penetrate the cover a little more.
He opts for Hard Candy in clear water. If the water is stained, he will throw Green Pumpkin, while he will switch to Black Blue Flake if the water is muddy.
Grigsby fishes the Magnum Rage Cut-R-Worm on a Lew's Signature Series Carolina Rig rod or Swimbait rod paired with a Lew's HyperMag 7.5:1 reel.
He spools this with 15-20 lb. fluorocarbon line.
SHOP ZONE 1 BAITS
Zone 1 – May
Strike King pro Greg Hackney reveals his insights on where he anticipates bass to conceal themselves throughout May in Zone 1.
“Typically, in Zone 1, water temperatures are warm – in the 70’s,” shares Hackney. Because April was cooler than March in Zone 1, he expects that May will bring much needed warmer weather. “May is toward the end of the shad spawn that started in April and bass spawn is over by this time, so a lot of fish stay shallow in the flooded cover,” Hackney says. During May, the water is up because of rain and there are a lot of bushes. “Bluegill, and sunfish in general, are on the beds causing bass to stay shallow,” Hackney shares.
Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Jig
BAIT 1: Strike King Hack Attack Heavy Cover Flipping Jig with Rage Craw trailer
If the water is clear, Hackney prefers the Bluegill. In stained water, he switches to the Sexy Shad. For muddy water, Hackney will favor a Blue Craw.
If fish are reacting to a faster moving jig presentation, Hackney will often opt for the Strike King’s Hack Attack Heavy Cover Swim Jig. It is designed with a strong and durable weed guard that will help you navigate through the thickest of cover and cut through the grass to find the big ones. If you're hauling big fish out of grass or wood, this is the jig for you!
KVD Sexy Frog
BAIT 2: Strike King KVD Sexy Frog
Hackney’s choice for clear water is the Green Pumpkin Gill, while he opts for Stump Jumper if the water is stained. He picks up Black when fishing in muddy conditions.
The KVD Sexy Frog has strong hooks and an easily collapsible, hollow body for better hookups. The best of its kind, the Sexy Frog has a sealed nose and free-floating rattle for superior performance.
Tour Grade Buzzbait
BAIT 3: Strike King Tour Grade Buzzbait with Gurgle Toad trailer
He opts for the White in clear water, and switches to a Chartreuse White if the water is stained. Black is his first choice in muddy water.
Strike King’s Tour Grade Buzzbait is made with premium components, such as a sculpted quick-planing head and an exclusive Gamakatsu® hook, making it a go-to in his lineup.
Thunder Cricket Vibrating Jig
BAIT 4: Strike King Thunder Cricket Vibrating Jig with Blade Minnow trailer
If the water is clear, he will throw a White, while more stained water calls for a Chartreuse White. Hackney will pick up a Fire Craw when fishing in low-vis conditions.
Strike King’s Thunder Cricket was designed by Greg Hackney, Kevin VanDam, and Andy Montgomery and has changed the game for vibrating jigs. Its innovative design provides maximum swimming action, flash, and thump, with a superior hookup ratio.
KVD 1.5
BAIT 5: Strike King KVD 1.5
He opts for Sexy Shad in clear water. If the water is stained he will throw the Chartreuse Sexy Shad, while he will switch to a Cataouatche Special if the water is muddy.
The KVD 1.5 is perfect for shallow water, power fishing. The squarebill design and unique “hunting” action will constantly emit erratic movement while still running true.
Compact Tungsten Casting Jig
BAIT 6: Compact Tungsten Casting Jig with Scounbug trailer
In clear water, Hackney will use Black Blue and switches to Bama Craw in stained water. He picks up Texas Craw when fishing in low-vis coniditons. No matter the water condition, Hackney sticks with a Black Blue Scounbug trailer.
Strike King’s Compact Tungsten Casting Jig is built with a premium tungsten jig head that is 40% more dense than lead for greater castability, sensitivity, and performance. It also features a premium hand-tied skirt that emits life-like pulsating movement and a heavy wire hook for exceptional hook-setting
SHOP ZONE 1 BAITS