Spring Bass Fishing: Best Lures, Techniques & Pro Tips for a Big Catch

Spring bass fishing is one of the most thrilling times of the year. As water temperatures rise, bass wake up from their winter sluggishness and start feeding aggressively. But that doesn’t mean they’re easy to catch—timing, location, and lure selection make all the difference.

I’ve spent countless mornings on lakes, watching the fog lift as I cast my first lure of the day. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Understanding bass behavior is the key to a successful spring fishing trip. In this guide, I’ll walk you through where to find bass, the best lures to use, and how to adjust your approach based on changing weather.

By the time you finish reading, you’ll have a game plan to catch more bass this spring—whether you’re fishing your local pond or a massive reservoir.

Understanding Spring Bass Behavior

One chilly morning in March, I launched my boat onto a well-known bass lake. The air was crisp, and the water temperature sat at 48°F—still a bit cold for bass to move shallow. I had a strong feeling the fish were still staging near deep water, so I pulled up my fish finder and scanned a main lake point where I had caught fish the previous spring.

Sure enough, the screen lit up with marks—big bass sitting on the drop-off, waiting for warmer temperatures before making their move. I tied on a suspending jerkbait and worked it painfully slow, pausing for up to 10 seconds between twitches. It took patience, but after just a few casts, I felt a solid thump—a hefty 5-pound bass crushed the bait.

Where to Find Bass in Early Spring

Bass don’t just wake up one day and rush to the shallows. They move in stages, following predictable migration routes.

✅ Main Lake Points – Bass hold here before heading toward spawning flats.

✅ Creek Channels – Think of these as underwater highways that bass use to migrate.

✅ Rocky Banks & Riprap – Rocks absorb heat, warming the water slightly. Bass love that.

✅ Shallow Flats & Protected Coves – As temperatures hit 55-65°F, bass move here to spawn.

💡 Pro Tip: If nighttime temperatures stay between 55-65°F for 2-3 consecutive days, it’s a clear sign that bass will start pushing shallow. This is when you want to focus on flats and coves, especially in the afternoons when the water is warmest.

Best Spring Bass Fishing Lures & How to Use Them

Picking the right lure in early spring can make or break your day. I’ve spent years experimenting, and these are the lures that consistently put fish in the boat.

A. Suspending Jerkbaits – Best for Cold, Clear Water (Below 55°F)

A few springs ago, I was fishing Table Rock Lake in early March. The water was cold, but the conditions were perfect for a jerkbait. I cast toward a rocky point, twitched the lure twice, and let it sit. Five seconds... ten seconds… just when I was about to move it again—bam! A 6-pound bass inhaled the bait. That day, I caught multiple fish using this slow, deliberate retrieve.

How to Fish It:

✔️ Cast near rocky points, riprap, or deep brush piles.

✔️ Use a twitch-twitch-pause retrieve—pause longer in colder water.

✔️ As the water warms, shorten the pause to trigger aggressive strikes.

B. Lipless Crankbaits – Best for Covering Water (50-60°F)

When bass start moving shallower but haven’t committed to spawning beds yet, a lipless crankbait is my go-to. Last spring, while fishing Sam Rayburn Reservoir, I noticed a few baitfish flickering over a grassy flat. I grabbed a red lipless crankbait, cast it long, and began a steady retrieve. The second my bait ticked the tops of the grass—boom! A 4-pounder crushed it.

How to Fish It:

✔️ Use a steady retrieve over submerged grass or flats.

✔️ If fish aren’t chasing, switch to a stop-and-go retrieve.

✔️ Red or crawfish colors are killer in early spring.

C. Soft Plastic Lures – Best for Finesse Fishing

There are days when bass won’t chase moving baits. That’s when I switch to soft plastics.

One morning after a cold front, I was struggling to get bites. I noticed bass hugging the bottom near a creek channel, so I tied on a drop-shot rig with a finesse worm and let it sit. That subtle movement was all it took—I ended up catching five bass in the next hour, all on a simple 6-inch green pumpkin worm.