The Ultimate Guide To The Best 7 Lures For Largemouth Bass In The Spring

Unlocking Spring Bass Fishing Success: How And What To Use Maximize Your Success This Spring Fishing Season.

 As winter loosens its grip and nature begins to awaken, spring emerges as a prime season for largemouth bass fishing. With the warming waters, these iconic freshwater predators become more active, making it an opportune time for anglers to maximize their catch. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the best 7 lures to use during spring for targeting largemouth bass. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, these tried-and-tested lures and techniques will help you reel in those elusive trophy bass.

1. Crankbaits

Let's kick off our journey with a classic – crankbaits. In the early days of spring, as bass start moving from their deeper winter haunts to shallower waters, small crankbaits can be your go-to weapons. The flat-sided crankbaits, lipless cranks, and small shad bodies are particularly effective during this transition period. The subtle wiggle, minimal noise, and ability to sneak into strike zones make these lures irresistible to bass exploring their newfound territories.

Run your crankbait with an erratic stop and go retrieve and vary the pattern. If you run into cover stop the retrieve and let the bait rise or just suspend for a second or two. Bass can’t seem to resist this. If you happen to hook up, make note of what you were doing that triggered the strike. Continue the pattern as long as it continues to produce. When it stops or slows, start experimenting again until you find the next retrieval pattern that again produces strikes.

As the water temperature rises, you can experiment with various colors and sizes to match the preferences of the bass. A few reliable options include Spro Little Johns, Strike King 1.0 Square Bill, Berkley Fritts Side, and Strike King Chick Magnet Jr.

2. Spinnerbaits:

Moving along, spinnerbaits are another springtime favorite among anglers targeting largemouth bass. The versatility of spinnerbaits allows them to excel in a variety of conditions and water depths. As spring rains raise water levels, spinnerbaits become particularly effective, as they can navigate through debris without getting fouled up. Whether you're fishing in shallow or deep waters, around wood or vegetation, spinnerbaits can consistently produce results.

Experiment with different blade configurations, colors, and retrieve speeds to figure out what triggers the most strikes. A well-chosen spinnerbait can be a reliable workhorse throughout the entire spring season.

A good spinnerbait is the key to having a successful day. Examples like the War Eagle Screaming Eagle, or the Strike King KVD Finesse Spinnerbait. 

A favorite technique for me is to work the spinnerbait just fast enough to be able to see some flash under the surface of the water bringing it as close to or though cover as possible. As with crankbaits when you run into the cover kill the bait allowing it to fall slowly. This is when you are likely to get a strike. Another popular method, especially if the bass are active is to wake the spinnerbait. Running it fast enough for it to make a wake with the blades breaking the surface occasionally. An erratic retrieve that will appear like a wounded baitfish is most effective.

3. Jigs:

When it comes to flipping and pitching in heavy cover, jigs are unparalleled. As bass move into shallower areas for spawning, jigs become a go-to choice for enticing those big females guarding their nests. A football jig with a craw trailer or a flipping jig with a creature bait can be deadly effective in triggering reaction bites from bass protecting their territory.

Pay attention to the type of cover present – whether it's rocks, wood, or vegetation – and adjust your jig selection accordingly. The versatility of jigs makes them a staple in any angler's spring bass fishing arsenal.

Color selection is a matter of choice. Most natural colors work well. Try to match the colors of the crawfish or baitfish that the bass in your lake are targeting. If you’re bed fishing a bright color like white can sometime give you the edge especially in clearer water. You can see the strike when a bass picks it up.

Vary the speed at which you work the lure. Quick hopping a jig can sometime trigger strikes while other times the bass seem to want the bait to sit or be dragged slowly along the bottom. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your retrieve until you establish a pattern that will work.

When picking a jig you want to insure that it has a good weed guard and a good strong hook. Remember you ‘re gong to be throwing this setup into the thickest cover you can find. Some good options are the Santone Chris McCall Rayburn Swim Jig, Santone Rattlin Jig, or the Santone Texas Finesse Jig.

4. Soft Plastic Stick Baits:

Enter the realm of soft plastics, and the wacky-rigged Stick Bait takes the spotlight. Known for its simplicity and effectiveness, the wacky rig is a fantastic choice for targeting shallow, skittish bass in the spring. The subtle shimmy as the Stick Bait sinks can be irresistible to bass, and the minimalistic presentation is perfect for clear water scenarios. It also allows you to make a silent presentation preventing you from spooking bass out of shallow cover. The slow fall rate and erratic action are hard for a curious bass to resist. Don’t be embarrassed by this simple technique. Even though it is a basic as you can get it is still one of the most deadly techniques used by professional and amateur anglers alike.

Whether you're skipping it under docks, casting it into shallow water, or letting it sink near potential bass hideouts, the wacky-rigged stick bait is a lure that consistently delivers results. Experiment with different colors to match the local forage and water clarity. Good choices are Blue Fleck, Green Pumpkin, Watermelon-Red, Bubblegum Pink, or White. It’s always advised to have a variety of colors on hand so you can match water and light conditions on a particular day.

Some of our favorite stick baits are the Yum Dinger, Yamamoto Senko, or the Strike King Ocho

5. Texas-Rigged Or Shakey Head Plastic Worms:

When finesse is the name of the game, Texas-rigged or Shakey Head rigged plastic worms come into play. As bass move into their prespawn and spawn stages, they can become finicky and more cautious. A subtle presentation with a Texas-rigged plastic worm can be the key to enticing bites from these wary bass.

Choose a worm color that mimics local prey, and vary your retrieve to find what works best on any given day. The weightless presentation allows the worm to fall naturally, triggering strikes from bass on the lookout for an easy meal. It’s important to use as little weight as you can get away with. While in the summer bass seem to give more reaction strikes to fast moving baits that fall in front of their noses, in the spring when the water temps are cooler a slower presentation works better in our experience.

These techniques are perfect for targeting specific pieces of cover where accuracy is important. Make the cast leaving the bait in place. We like to say, move the bait without moving the weight. This will add action to the bait while keeping it in the strike zone longer. If you don’t get bit, reel in and target another piece of cover.

Another technique is to slow drag the worm along the bottom, or hop the bait back. Again, let the fish tell you what they want. By paying attention to which retrieve the bass seem to key on you will quickly be able to establish a patten that will produce more strikes.

When it comes to plastic worms there are thousands of designs and colors to choose from. While we have our favorites like, Zoom Trick Worm, Berkley Powerbait 7" Power Worms, and GrandeBass Rattlesnakes. I can assure you that whatever you have confidence in is going to be the one that catches fish. But remember, don’t keep throwing the same thing if you’re not getting bit, Subtle changes in color or shape can sometimes turn a skunk day, into a productive day. Plastic baits are inexpensive compared to other forms of fishing so always have a variety of colors and styles in your tackle bag.

6. Topwater Lures:

As temperatures rise further into late spring, topwater lures come into their own. Nothing beats the excitement of a surface explosion when a bass attacks a topwater bait. Buzzbaits, poppers, and frogs are all excellent choices during this time, especially in areas with submerged vegetation or near the edges of lily pads.

Experiment with different retrieves – a slow walk-the-dog action, a steady pop-and-stop, or a rapid buzzing retrieve can all trigger explosive strikes. Topwater lures add a thrilling dimension to spring bass fishing and are a must-have in your tackle box. Good choices are Spro Frogs, Yellow Magic Poppers, And Lunker Lure Buzz Baits.

7. Swimbaits:

Last but not least, swimbaits offer a realistic and enticing presentation that can fool even the wariest of bass. Whether you opt for soft or hard swimbaits, the lifelike swimming action can be irresistible to bass looking for an easy meal. Choose a swimbait size that matches the local forage and vary your retrieve to imitate the natural movement of prey.

Swimbaits shine in open water scenarios, making them ideal for targeting bass in transition areas or along points and drop-offs. As the water warms up, bass become more active, and swimbaits can trigger aggressive strikes.

Here are a few swimbaits that always seem to produce when we hit the water. Try the Keitech Fat Swing Imapct on an underspin or weighted weedless hook. Another good choice is the Megabass Magdraft Swimbait. And don't forget the 6th Sense Speed Glide a proven winner! 

Conclusion:

In conclusion, spring bass fishing is a dynamic and exciting time for anglers. Armed with the right lures and strategies, you can unlock the potential of this season and increase your chances of landing trophy largemouth bass. Whether you're targeting bass in the shallows during prespawn or enticing them from heavy cover during the spawn, the versatility of these lures ensures that you'll be well-equipped for any spring fishing scenario.

Remember, successful bass fishing in the spring requires adaptability and a willingness to experiment with different lures, colors, and presentations. Pay attention to water temperature, local conditions, and the behavior of the bass to fine-tune your approach. With patience, persistence, and the right lures in your tackle box, you'll be well on your way to a memorable and rewarding spring bass fishing season. So, gear up, hit the water, and let the spring bass fishing adventure begin!

Drop us a comment and let us know what your favorite technique or lure is to use in the spring. Tight lines!