Spring Bass Fishing

Spring is one of the best times of the year for bass fishing! As water temperatures rise, bass become more active and move into shallower waters to spawn. Here are some key tips for successful spring bass fishing:

•  Pre-Spawn (Water Temps 50–60°F) – Bass start moving from deep winter areas toward shallower spawning grounds. They feed aggressively to bulk up before spawning.
•  Spawn (Water Temps 60–70°F) – Bass are on beds in shallow water, making them territorial but harder to catch since they aren’t focused on feeding. Sight fishing can be effective.
•  Post-Spawn (Water Temps 70°F+) – Females move back to deeper water to recover, while males stay shallow to protect fry. Fishing structure and drop-offs can be productive.

•  Pre-Spawn: Lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, spinnerbaits, jigs, and soft plastic craws work well. Focus on staging areas near drop-offs or points leading to spawning flats.
•  Spawn: Texas-rigged creature baits, soft plastic lizards, and wacky-rigged worms placed near beds can provoke reaction bites.
•  Post-Spawn: Topwater frogs, buzzbaits, weightless soft plastics, and swimbaits are great for covering water and targeting recovering fish.

3. Key Locations

• •  Shallow flats near deeper water
  •  Creek channels leading into spawning coves
  •  Submerged timber, grass lines, and rocky points
  •  Docks and shaded areas as post-spawn refuge
  
  

•  Morning & Evening: Active feeding times, ideal for topwater lures.
•  Midday: Fish move to cover, so jigs and soft plastics fished slowly around structure work well.
•  Overcast Days: Bass roam more freely, making moving baits (crankbaits, spinnerbaits) effective.
•  Sunny Days: Focus on shaded areas and deeper water.