Spring is a time of rejuvenation (particularly in “snowbird” country) – a time for trees and plants to bloom. It is also time for bass to begin spawning.

After a fairly sedentary winter, bass are looking to feed before the spawn. They will eventually move from their deep-water wintering spots into shallower areas in creeks and canals.

The key in the spring is to find the warmest water, because that’s where the bass will migrate. I use a Lowrance temperature gauge on my Ranger to find these warmer areas on the body of water I’m fishing.

With the right tackle, pre-spawn fishing can be great. Hanging on my CastAway Graphite Rods (www.castawayrods.com), are three of my favorite springtime baits: suspending jerkbaits, ˝ ounce spinnerbaits and the venerable jig and pig.

Suspending jerkbaits, like Rapala’s Husky Jerk, are great search baits in the spring. You can work them as s-l-o-w as you need to (based on weather conditions and water temperature), pausing it for up to 30 seconds between retrieving jerks - to give the bass a good look at it.

A slow rolled Colorado-bladed spinnerbait is also good to search for spring bass. This type of blade vibrates better than willowleaf blades – which the bass can sense with their lateral lines, even in muddy water.

The jig and pig is my “clean-up” bait. I use it for methodically work around laydown trees, docks, riprap or submerged structure (rockpiles, stumps, old cars, etc.). I prefer using “natural“ trailers (like Uncle Josh) in colder water, because they seem to stay more flexible in those conditions.

So when the buds start forming on the trees (if not sooner!), make a plan to be on the water so you can “spring ahead” for bass.

Any fishing or vehicle questions?
Drop me a line… jeffmorton@gofishmidwest.com. 

Go FISH Midwest, YOUR source for Midwest fishing information… and more!

Jeff Morton

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