Spring is one of the best times of the year to target bass. As the water warms up, bass become more active, moving from their deep winter haunts to shallower areas in preparation for the spawn. Whether you’re fishing in lakes, rivers, or reservoirs, understanding how bass behave in the spring and adjusting your tactics accordingly can make all the difference.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best spring bass fishing strategies from top to bottom—covering everything from surface baits to bottom-hugging techniques. If you’re looking to land more bass this season, keep reading for expert tips to maximize your catch.
Understanding Spring Bass Behavior
Before diving into techniques, it’s crucial to know how bass behave in the spring. Their movements are dictated by water temperature, spawning cycles, and food availability.
1. Pre-Spawn (Late Winter to Early Spring: 45–55°F)
- Bass start migrating from deep winter areas to shallower water.
- They stage near points, secondary points, and ledges close to spawning flats.
- They are actively feeding, making it a great time to catch big females bulking up for the spawn.
2. Spawn (Mid to Late Spring: 55–70°F)
- Bass move into shallow flats, coves, and backwaters to lay eggs.
- Males build and guard nests, while females hang nearby.
- Sight fishing is highly effective during this phase.
3. Post-Spawn (Late Spring: 70°F and Up)
- Female bass recover in deeper, cooler water, while males guard fry near the shallows.
- The bite can be tough right after the spawn, but bass regain their aggression as they return to feeding patterns.
Now that we understand bass behavior, let’s look at how to target them from top to bottom.
Topwater Tactics: Explosive Strikes on the Surface
Nothing beats the heart-pounding thrill of a bass exploding on a topwater lure. Topwater baits work best in the late pre-spawn and post-spawn, when bass are aggressively feeding in the shallows.
Best Topwater Lures for Spring Bass:
✅ Walking Baits (Zara Spook, Heddon Spook Jr.) – Great for covering water and drawing explosive strikes from aggressive bass.
✅ Frogs (Booyah Pad Crasher, Spro Bronzeye Frog) – Perfect for fishing around grass mats, lily pads, and flooded vegetation.
✅ Buzzbaits (Strike King Buzzbait, Booyah Buzz) – Great for early mornings and evenings when bass are hunting in shallow water.
Topwater Fishing Tips:
🎯 Target shallow flats, points, and around spawning beds.
🎯 Use a slow, steady retrieve with frogs and buzzbaits.
🎯 For walking baits, use a “walk-the-dog” motion to mimic a struggling baitfish.
🎯 Fish topwaters early in the morning, late in the evening, or on cloudy days.
Mid-Water Tactics: Covering the Water Column for Active Bass
During the pre-spawn and post-spawn, bass often hold at mid-depths—especially around secondary points, submerged grass lines, and drop-offs. This is where reaction baits and suspending lures shine.
Best Mid-Water Lures for Spring Bass:
✅ Jerkbaits (Megabass Vision 110, Rapala X-Rap) – Deadly in colder water; suspend jerkbaits around staging areas for lethargic pre-spawn bass.
✅ Spinnerbaits (Strike King KVD Spinnerbait, Booyah Blade) – Great for windy days and stained water, imitating fleeing baitfish.
✅ Swimbaits (Keitech Swing Impact, Storm Largo Shad) – Excellent for imitating bluegill and shad, a favorite bass forage in spring.
✅ Crankbaits (Strike King 5XD, Rapala DT-10) – Use shallow to medium-diving crankbaits to cover water and locate bass.
Mid-Water Fishing Tips:
🎯 Use jerkbaits in clear water with long pauses—bass will strike when the lure sits still.
🎯 Slow-roll spinnerbaits along grass edges or around submerged wood.
🎯 Match swimbait colors to the local forage—white or silver for shad, green or blue for bluegill.
🎯 Run crankbaits along rocky points and riprap banks to trigger reaction bites.
Bottom Tactics: Picking Off Lethargic or Nesting Bass
When bass are locked onto beds or holding deep near structure, slow-moving bottom techniques are the best way to get bites. This is especially important during the spawn, when bass are less likely to chase fast-moving lures.
Best Bottom Lures for Spring Bass:
✅ Texas-Rigged Soft Plastics (Zoom Brush Hog, Yamamoto Senko) – Deadly for flipping into beds and thick cover.
✅ Drop Shot (Roboworm, Zoom Finesse Worms) – Perfect for finesse fishing when bass are pressured or inactive.
✅ Jigs (Strike King Football Jig, Booyah Boo Jig) – Ideal for dragging along rocky points and targeting big females.
✅ Ned Rigs (Z-Man TRD) – A go-to finesse option for catching lethargic bass in clear water.
Bottom Fishing Tips:
🎯 If you see bass guarding a bed, use a white Texas-rigged craw to get reaction bites.
🎯 Drag jigs slowly across the bottom, pausing to let the bass inspect before setting the hook.
🎯 Use a drop shot to target deeper fish staging near ledges or drop-offs.
🎯 Fish slowly—if bass aren’t biting, slow it down even more.
Bonus Spring Fishing Tips for More Success
✅ Follow the Water Temperature: Bass activity increases as water warms—use a thermometer to track changes.
✅ Fish Windblown Banks: Wind pushes baitfish into the shallows, attracting bass.
✅ Be Stealthy in the Shallows: In clear water, bass can be skittish—approach quietly and make long casts.
✅ Use the Right Line: Fluorocarbon for jigs and soft plastics, monofilament for topwaters, and braid for heavy cover.
✅ Time of Day Matters: Early morning and evening are prime times, but cloudy days can keep bass active longer.
Final Thoughts
Spring bass fishing is all about adapting to the fish’s behavior and covering all depths of the water column. Whether you’re working a topwater bait over a shallow spawning flat, burning a spinnerbait through mid-depth cover, or flipping a Texas-rig into a bed, the key is to stay flexible and fish where the bass are.
By understanding pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn movements and using the right lures at the right time, you’ll maximize your success and put more bass in the boat this spring.
So grab your gear, hit the water, and get ready for some of the best bass fishing of the year! 🎣🔥
