Spring is quickly approaching. Is there any better time to be chasing big bass? Sure, some might argue that fall can be more productive. But considering most of us have been cooped up for several weeks, it’s easy to see why spring can be our favorite time of the year. We’re back on the water, doing what we love.
But until that time comes, if you’re anything like me, you’re doing a lot of reading and researching, looking for ways to make your spring a successful one.
Well, we’ve got you covered with our picks for the best spring bass lures.
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Related: Top Rated Fishing Lures For Bass
Best Spring Bass Lures Reviewed
Best Search Bait: Cotton Cordell Super Spot
Size: ¼ oz and ½ oz
Lure Type: Lipless Crankbait
Must-Have Colors: Blue Shiner, Wounded Shad, Gold/Black Back
Springtime is transition time for bass, where they move from their deep water winter haunts to shallow spawning areas. If you’re fishing early spring, it can sometimes be tough to pinpoint where fish are in that transition. Maybe they haven’t started yet and are still deep, maybe they’re already up shallow, or maybe they’re somewhere in between.
This is the time of year when search baits can excel. While billed crankbaits are good for this, it’s hard to beat the versatility of a lipless crankbait. Not only can you fish them with different techniques, but they don’t dive when being retrieved, meaning with the right approach, they can be fished in any part of the water column.
The Cotton Cordell Super Spot is a classic, and despite the competition it has, it remains one of our favorites. With a higher-pitched rattle than most, and a tight wobble, this lipless crank can be ripped through growing weed patches, banged off hard cover, and even pulled through open water without missing a beat.
At half the price of most other lipless crankbaits, the Super Spot is a budget-friendly lure that will not disappoint.
Pros
- High-pitched rattle draws fish in
- Can be easily fished at any depth in any cover
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Hooks are not very strong and can easily bend under load
Best For Heavy Cover: Yamamoto Senko
Size: 3 to 7 inches
Lure Type: Stick Worm
Must-Have Colors: Black with red flake, Watermelon with black and red flake, Green Pumpkin, Chartreuse with black flake
Fishing in the spring means fishing a lot of shallow water, and despite the thought that spring bass are aggressive and easy to catch, that’s not always the rule. Heavy fishing pressure or dramatic shifts in conditions are commonplace in the spring. Bass can go into hiding, and the bite can get tough. When this happens, reach for a Yamamoto Senko.
The Senko is a subtle, finesse plastic worm that has an incredible side-to-side action bass have a hard time refusing. When those fish are tucked up in deadfalls, weed patches or hiding under a dock, the Senko is going to draw them out when other lures won’t.
Its wider profile means the Senko is easy to cast with distance and pinpoint accuracy, and when fish are wary and hiding in cover, the right placement can make all the difference.
Imitation is a form of flattery, and after more than two decades of catching big bass, it’s no surprise that other companies have been jumping on the bandwagon and attempting to imitate the Senko. Still, no one has been able to match its effectiveness, and it remains a staple amongst professional and casual bass anglers alike.
Check out our buying guide for the best worms for bass
Pros
- Heavy enough to effectively cast even when fished weightless
- Salted soft plastic attracts fish and makes them hold on longer
- Highly versatile and can be rigged several different ways
- Possibly the easiest worm to use
Cons
- Expensive
- Soft plastic does not hold up well to multiple fish
Best For Big Fish: Storm Arashi Glide Bait
Size: 7 ½ inch
Lure Type: Glide Bait
Must-Have Colors: Blue Gill, Rainbow Trout, Black Silver Shad
Fishing bass in the spring isn’t just a numbers game but a big fish game, too. If you’re looking for numbers of big fish or looking to boat a personal best, a glide bait is the way to do it.
Combining the qualities of both a jerkbait and a big swimbait, the Storm Arashi Glide Bait will attract and infuriate big bass. Whether you’re targeting hungry post spawn bass or protective bedding bass, this bait is going to trigger them one way or the other, and it’s not uncommon to have big largemouth follow the lure all the way to the boat, letting their presence be known, even if they don’t take it.
The Arashi Glide Bait’s s-curve motion meanders smoothly and flawlessly no matter what speed it’s being fished at, and its instant 180-degree turn with a quick jerk of the rod is a motion that will trigger even the most reluctant bass.
This lure can – and will – catch you numbers of bass, and if it’s a trophy you’re after, this is a must-have. Don’t let its size discourage you from trying it out; afterall, big bass love big bait.
Pros
- Super smooth realistic motion
- Highly responsive to rod tip movement
- Easy to use
- Maintains realistic movement at any speed
- Comes with extra tail piece
Cons
Best For Pre spawn: Strike King KVD Elite Jerkbait
Size: 4 ¾ inch
Lure Type: Hardbody Jerkbait
Must-Have Colors: Sexy Shad 2.0, Pro Blue Glimmer, Phantom Bluegill
As winter holding patterns change to pre-spawn patterns, bass will strap on the feedbag in preparation for the spawn. But that doesn’t necessarily mean an all-out feeding frenzy, and big bass, especially the females, want to expend as little energy as possible while bulking up.
This is when jerkbaits shine. Yes, a jerkbait will catch big bass any time of the year, but once moved slowly across open water, structure transitioning bass relate to can be dynamite. The speed at which you work the jerkbait this time of year is going to be dependent on water temps. Colder equals slower.
What’s more important is the attractiveness of the lure itself. Life-like appearance, aggressive action, and colors that reflect the sun and put off flash are all key components of an effective pre-spawn jerkbait, and the Strike King KVD Elite Jerkbait combines the best of them all.
The wide and erratic side-to-side motion is irresistible at any speed, even to the most lethargic early spring bass, and the internal weight transfer system makes casting a breeze.
Pros
- Weight transfer system helps maximize casting distance
- Erratic action closely imitates a wounded baitfish
- Available in several unique colors
- Ultra-sharp and strong triple grip hooks
Cons
- Some customers have reported the paint chipping easily
Best For Spawn: Booyah Tandem Blade Spinnerbait
Size: ¼ oz, ⅜ oz, and ½ oz
Lure Type: Spinnerbait
Must Have Colors: Snow White, Silver Shad, Perch
The best bait for spawning bass can be, and often is, up for debate. Whether on their beds or not, bass at this time aren’t hitting a lure because it’s a meal, but instead protecting their nests. Most anglers this time of year are focusing on fishing bass that are directly on their nest and will often choose a jig or soft plastic they can silently cast to mimic something that’s a threat.
But just because bass are spawning doesn’t mean they’re always sitting on their nest, and instead can be cruising around, intercepting anything that gets too close. This is why we love fishing spinnerbaits for spawning bass. Spinnerbaits can be worked slowly through bass that are on their nests or burned quickly around the area. Aggressive bass will take notice and chase them down.
The Booyah Tandem Blade Spinnerbait is a highly versatile lure that lets you cover a lot of water and is perfect for when sight fishing for bedding bass isn’t working. Available in a wide range of colors that cover any condition, this tandem blade spinnerbait features a high-quality wire frame that won’t bend or lose shape, even on the biggest bass. The tandem blade design displaces water and creates a vibration that will anger any bass in the vicinity.
Check out our buying guide and reviews of the top spinnerbaits for bass
Pros
- High-quality wire frame
- Ultra-sharp and strong hook
- Lightweight silicone skirt
- Tandem design feature both a colorado and willow blade
Cons
- Soft silicone skirt can be less durable compared to other spinnerbaits
- Customers have reported the blades coming off
Best For Post-Spawn: LIVETARGET Frog
Size: 1 ¾, 2 ¼, and 2 ⅝, inches
Lure Type: Hollow body frog
Must Have Colors: Green/Yellow, Tan/Brown
Depending on where you’re fishing for bass, post-spawn can occur in the late spring or early summer. Whichever the case, fish are hungry after spawning, and this time of year signifies the start of some of the best topwater fishing of the year, more specifically frog fishing.
Frog fishing can be one of the most exciting ways to catch big largemouth, and when they’re hungry after the spawn, it can be one of the most effective methods. It can also be a lot easier, especially for those new to frog fishing, as weed growth is still down and fish can be easier to pinpoint and get to.
At this point in the spring, runoff is less, and the water has cleared. Bass are going to be looking for something natural and realistic, and there is no frog that does that better than the LIVETARGET frog. The attention to detail on these frogs is second to none. From the spots to the ears and the bulging eyes, there isn’t a more realistic-looking frog on the market.
The LIVETARGET frog is also very easy to cast, not just for distance but accuracy as well, meaning you can easily place it in lily pads, or under the docks that post-spawn bass are hiding around.
Pros
- Amazing life-like appearance and action
- Soft yet durable hollow body
- Easily collapses when hit, resulting in easy hook-sets
Cons
Choosing The Best Spring Bass Fishing Lures
From changes in weather and water conditions to fish behavior and mood, spring bass fishing can vary not only from day to day but also hour to hour. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right lure for spring bass.
Water Temp
Water temperature is going to be the biggest deciding factor in which phase of the spawning cycle bass are in. Pre-spawn, spawn, or post-spawn are all determined by water temp, and that will in turn determine which lure is going to be the right choice.
Water Color
Water color is going to fluctuate drastically throughout the spring, and it’s that water color that’s going to help determine not only which lure to choose, but also what color that lure should be. In the cold, stained, or dirty water of early spring, you might need a lure that can attract bass through sound and action as well as brighter colors. The warmer, more clear water of late spring, however, might call for something more natural and subtle.
Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can and usually do affect fish behavior. Fishing that was hot one day may be completely shut down the next if a front or storm system moves in. But just because fish have seemed to shut down, it doesn’t mean they can’t be caught, and a change in lure selection or color based on the fish’s mood can turn an unproductive day into an incredible one.
Be Prepared For Anything
The most successful bass anglers are the ones that are ready for anything. Spring fishing can be unpredictable and can change in an instant. Don’t fall into the trap of fishing a lure because it was the one that caught fish the day before. Just as the bass are adapting to changing conditions, so should you.
Final Thoughts
Spring bass fishing can be some of the most productive of the year for both numbers of fish and for big fish. While we’d love to be able to pick just one lure as the best lure to be fishing, it’s an impossible task, and every lure on this list will have its moment. The best advice we can give when it comes to lures for spring bass fishing is to carry an array of different lures for different situations. The complete angler is a successful angler.
We hope we were able to help you decide what lures you’re going to be fishing with this spring and we hope we helped with your spring bass fishing success. Leave us a comment and let us know if we did!
Source: usangler.com