Finding the right spring bass fishing lures can be tough. For me, there’s a lot of anticipation after winter. I tend to get excited and rush off and buy a ton of gear I don’t need. Then comes the process of reintroducing my arms to casting, flipping, and skipping after a long dormant winter. Having a streamlined process with some solid moving baits and flipping baits can make huge difference and save a lot of time and money!
1.) DT-6 Crank Bait
This crank bait has proven itself to be a perfect “low profile” lure with a diving range well-suited for all seasons. With that said, the DT4 and DT6 are good for those bass on (or coming off) staging points and headed toward shallow water to spawn. Colors like “red demon” are known to get slammed by big bass coming up shallow. Try cranking the DT6 around rocky outcrops, gravel bottoms, and riprap. These areas hold heat, hold crawdads, and may provide suitable environments for bass to spawn.
2.) BioSpawn Vile Craw
The BioSpawn Vile Craw has circulated among anglers across the country for a while. The action of this bait is what I like to call a “middle action bait,” not too wild, but moves enough to gain attention. They work well Texas rigged, weightless, or rigged for punching. With a slender body, you can slip this critter in and out of grass quickly and quietly, which is perfect for those fish taking up territory in fresh spring cover. According to Biospawn- these baits can be fished as top waters as well. As a bed fishing bait, you can drag it Texas rigged, weightless, or on a Carolina Rig. But I find it to be one the best flipping baits out there.
3.) Spring Bass Lures: Drop Shot
As an early spring bass fishing rig, the drop shot provides weary fish with an easy-to-smash food source. As a spawn setup, the drop shot offers a perfect tactic while sight fishing; you can dance your bait across their bed as a way to gauge aggression. With a 3/16 oz drop shot weight, your bait will remain on target for extended periods of time. Some great early spring drop shot baits that’ve been working for me;
- Strike King KVD Dream Shot
- Robo Worm Straight Tail
- Robo Ned Rig ( Drop Shotted)
4.) Spring Bass Lures: Swim Jig
As far as moving baits go, the swim jig dominates in grass. These lures have a primary and secondary body action unlike your standard swim-bait. Pre-spawn all the way to late fall, jigs like the Strike King KVD swim jig and Terminator are ruthless in grass and around rock and virtually any structure, which is why a lot of guys ( and gals) will throw a swim jig as a primary search bait. And trust me, these lures get hit by some big fish! Whether imitating shad, bluegill, or craw, these jigs, accompanied by the right trailer, can do it all. Other worthy mentions include;
- Googan Squad Grass Hero
- Eco Pro Tungsten Swim Jig
- California Swim Jig
5.) Jig
Jig fishing is a perfect tactic for bed fishing. The weight of the head keeps the jig crawling across the bed longer and the trailer imitates a craw. For a spawning bass ( or for the jig perhaps), this presentation can be the nail in the coffin, the final intruder that’ll get what’s coming. I like to throw a 3/8 – 1/2 oz on lighter line and use different actions. For example, I might hop it along, then drag it, then commit to a drop shot action which gives the jig an almost jackhammer / vibrating movement, kicking up rocks and silt.
A Little More On Jigs…
There’s no one size-fits-all jig for bed fishing. You can throw a football-head, flipping or pitching, or casting jig. But try to keep it compact. Don’t be afraid to cut your trailer down so that only a fraction of an inch shows beyond the skirt. It’s typical for bass to peck at, lightly carry, or nudge a lure off their bed until it poses a REAL threat.
