A Guide to Spring Bass Fishing Lures: What to Use and When

Spring is a prime time for bass fishing. Warm waters awaken them from their winter sluggishness. In spring, their feeding habits and behavior shift, so adjusting your fishing strategies is crucial. The key to success? Using the right lures at the right time.

Below, we’ll dive into the best bass lures for spring fishing. We’ll also explore how timing and environmental factors influence your choices and provide tips for reeling more fish. Having the right gear and approach will set you up for a rewarding spring fishing season regardless of what spawn stage you’re tackling.

Understanding Spring Bass Behavior

To catch more bass, you must understand how they change their behavior with the season. Warmer water temperatures and shifting environmental conditions influence their activity and feeding habits. Recognizing these patterns will let you select the most effective lures for each stage of spring bass fishing. 

Bass Activity in Spring

Bass moves through three key stages during the spring: pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn. 

• Pre-spawn: Bass become more active and feed heavily to prepare for spawning. This is when they’re often found near transition areas like drop-offs.
• Spawn: Bass focus on protecting their nests. They’re more territorial than hungry. This behavior allows anglers to use lures that provoke strikes rather than mimic food.
• Post-spawn: Bass shift back to feeding as they recover. They move into shallower waters to chase baitfish. 

Understanding these activity patterns allows you to adapt your lure selection to their changing needs.

Environmental Factors Affecting Lure Choices

Water temperature, clarity, and vegetation are key factors in choosing the right lure. For example, subtle presentations with natural colors work best in colder, clearer water. Lures with bright colors and added vibration can attract more attention in murky or warmer water.

Aligning your lure choice with bass behavior and environmental conditions can increase your chances of success this spring.

Types of Spring Bass Fishing Lures

Choosing the right lures for each stage is essential for a successful bass fishing trip. Bass behavior changes as they move through their three phases. Your lure selection should evolve, too. Let’s list the most effective spring bass fishing lures for every stage. 

Pre-Spawn Lures

During this stage, bass are actively feeding to prepare for spawning. It’s a great time to cover water and target transition areas.  

• Jerkbaits: These lures work wonders in colder water. They mimic injured baitfish to trigger strikes. Slowly pausing between twitches can entice bites from finicky fish. 
• Lipless Crankbaits: Perfect for covering large areas quickly. These lures create vibrations that attract bass from a distance. They’re especially effective in deeper or open water.
• Spinnerbaits: Ideal for murky water or windy conditions. Spinner and buzz baits create flashes and vibrations to grab attention. Use them near vegetation or submerged structures.

Spawn Lures

Bass focus on protecting their nests during the spawn. Lures that provoke territorial strikes are the most effective.

• Soft Plastic Baits: Worms and create baits mimic threats to the nest. Soft baits are great for flipping or pitching near bedding areas. 
• Jigs: A slow presentation with jigs can tempt bass into striking out of aggression. Use jigs around the cover or directly on nests.
• Dropshot Rigs: These are good for catching finicky fish. A finesse dropshot rig can present bait subtly just above the bottom, making it harder for bass to resist.

Post-Spawn Lures

After spawning, bass shift their focus back to feeding. They often chase baitfish in shallower waters.

• Topwater Baits: Poppers and frogs are fantastic surface bait for aggressive bass hunting. They’re particularly effective in the morning or late in the evening.
• Swimbaits: These lures mimic baitfish during feeding frenzies. Use swimbaits near schools of bait or along shallow drop-offs.
• Squarebill Crankbaits: They’re designed to deflect off structures. Squarebills are excellent for targeting bass in shallow areas with cover. 

Matching your lure selection to each stage of bass behavior will prepare you to maximize your success on the water.

Matching Lures to Conditions

Spring bass fishing isn’t just about understanding bass behavior. It’s also about adapting your approach to your fishing conditions. Factors like water clarity, weather, and depth play a big role in choosing the right lure. Let’s take a closer look at how these conditions influence your strategy.

Water Clarity

Water clarity determines how visible your lure is to the fish.

• Clear Water: Bass rely more on sight in clear water. Use natural colors like green, brown, or translucent shades. Subtle presentations like jerkbaits are often the most effective.
• Stained or Murky Water: Bass respond better to brighter colors like chartreuse or white in murkier water. Lures with added vibration, like crankbaits, let bass locate your bait through sound and movement. 

Weather Conditions

Weather impacts bass activity and their response to different lure types.

• Sunny Days: Bright, clear skies often make bass more cautious. Faster-moving lures like crankbaits or spinnerbaits can trigger reaction strikes.
• Overcast or Rainy Days: Bass tend to be less wary and more active in lower light conditions. Slower-moving lures like jigs or soft plastics are ideal for these times.

Depth Considerations:

The depth at which you’re fishing also affects which lures are most effective.

• Shallow Waters: Topwater baits like poppers are excellent for enticing bass in shallower areas. These are especially effective in calm conditions.
• Deeper Waters: Jigs and deep-diving crankbaits are your go-to options when targeting bass in deeper areas. These lures can reach the strike zone and stay there longer.

Adjusting your lure choices to match water clarity, weather, and depth will improve your chances of landing bass in any springtime conditions. 

Tips for Choosing the Right Bass Bait for Spring

Selecting the right bass baits for spring doesn’t have to be complicated. A few smart strategies can make a big difference in your success. Here are some practical tips to keep in mind:

• Rotate Lures Based on Fish Response: Don’t hesitate to switch it up if one lure isn’t getting strikes. Sometimes, bass are picky. Trying different colors, sizes, or presentations can let you find what works. 
• Be Prepared for Changing Conditions: Spring weather and water conditions can shift quickly. It’s a good idea to have various lure types on hand. Having options ensures you’re ready for any situation.
• Use Scent and Sound Enhancements: Bass often rely on their senses of smell and hearing to locate prey. Lures with built-in rattles or scent additives can give you an edge when visibility is low, or bass are less aggressive.

Staying flexible and considering these tips will increase your chances of reeling in more bass during the dynamic spring season.

Essential Gear for Spring Bass Fishing

Having the right gear can make all the difference in spring fishing. Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

• Rod and Reel Recommendations: A medium to medium-heavy spinning or baitcasting rod is versatile enough to handle most spring lures. Pair it with a reliable reel that offers smooth casting and reeling. 
• Best Line Types: The line you choose depends on the conditions. Use fluorocarbon for clear water due to its low visibility, braided line for heavy cover where strength is needed, and monofilament for topwater baits because of its buoyancy.
• Must-Have Accessories: Keep a good pair of polarized sunglasses handy to reduce glare and spot fish in the water. A tackle box with various lures, pliers for hook removal, and a fishing net are also essential.

With the right gear, you’ll be ready to tackle any conditions spring bass fishing throws your way.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced anglers can make mistakes that cost them a catch. Let’s look at a few common pitfalls to avoid:

• Using the Wrong Lure for Water Temperature: Bass behavior is closely tied to water temperature. Colder water calls for slower-moving lures like jerkbaits. Warmer water might require faster-moving options like spinnerbaits. Match your lure to the conditions for better results.
• Ignoring Changing Weather Patterns: Spring weather can be unpredictable. There will be sunny skies one moment and rain the next. These shifts can affect where bass are located and how active they are. Adjust your strategy and lure choice accordingly.
• Overlooking Subtle Strikes During the Spawn: Bass may strike lightly out of territorial aggression rather than hunger during the spawn. Pay close attention to your line and rod tip for subtle bites. Set the hook promptly to avoid missing opportunities.

Staying aware of these common mistakes will improve your chances of success on the water.

Spring bass fishing is an exciting time to be on the water. Success starts with using the best bass lures for spring fishing. Matching your bait and lure to the season and conditions is key.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lure types and techniques as you adapt to changing water temperatures, weather, and bass behavior. Each fishing trip is a chance to learn more and refine your strategy.

Ready to gear up for your next outing? Explore Fleet Farm’s wide range of fishing gear. These include rods, reels, and lures tailored for spring bass fishing. The right tools and tactics will lead you to a successful and rewarding fishing season.