Top 5 Baits For Early Spring Bass Fishing! ( How To Fish Them )

These baits catch giant bass every Spring! If you learn how to use them to cover water and locate feeding bass, your catch rate will sky rocket as we enter the prespawn. Consider this different approach this year and you'll begin to specifically target the bigger bass you've dreamt of catching.

Many anglers make the mistake of fishing slowly in the Spring. As bass begin to move, anglers often lack the confidence to pursue them and instead settle for finesse fishing familiar areas. If your goal is to catch a giant bass this Spring your success hinges on your willingness to move. If you missed our previous video go back and watch it again to understand how and why the bass are moving. Once you're confident in their movements quickly cover likely areas until you find bass that are actively feeding. 

The combination of glide baits (amazing drawing power, crankbaits, jerkbaits, and A-rigs (drawing reaction strikes), and the finesse underspin (still gets bit, even when the going gets tough) will cover every circumstance you'll face in the Spring. Below is a breakdown of our favorite baits for this time of year as well as our confidence colors in each category. 

Glidebaits... 

-S-Waver 168: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Light Trout, Bluegill, Warden Hitch)

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide (version 2): http://bit.ly/33bQyxY

(Trout, Shad, Kokanee)

-Storm Arashi Glide: http://bit.ly/2nHdrL1

(Bluegill, Oikawa Mesu, Threadfin Shad)

Jerkbaits... 

-Jackall Rerange 110: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED

(Ghost Wakasagi, RT Hollow Minnow, HL Silver Shad)

-Lucky Craft Flash Pointer 115: http://bit.ly/2aHz588

(Ghost Minnow, Chartreuse Shad, American Shad)

Lipless Crankbaits... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500: http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

(Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Chartreuse Shad)

-Jackall TN-70: http://bit.ly/2lqAwjh

(Super Shad, Escape Craw, Scale Minnow)

Deep Crank... 

-Tactical DD 75 Crankbait: http://bit.ly/37dclbX

(DD Minnow, Glass Minnow, Natural Gill)

-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt

(Biwako Clear Gill, Fire Craw, Sexy French Pearl)

-Spro Rock Crawler 55: http://bit.ly/2NFPA5t

(Red River Craw, Red Crawfish)

Squarebill Crankbaits... 

-River2Sea Biggie Poppa: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

(Cold Blooded, Delta Craw, Abalone Shad)

-Lucky Craft 1.5: http://bit.ly/2BGxKPa

(American Shad, Golden Shiner, Ghost Minnow)

Underspins...

-Cool Baits Down Under 3/16 oz: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

(Black/Silver, Ol' Faithful, Silver Shad)

-2.8 Keitech Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(TW Pro Blue, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Electric Shad)

Alabama Rig... 

-Rig: Hogfarmer Baits BFL Hitchhiker: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-Heads: Matt Allen Swimbait Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-Dummy Baits: Big Bite Finesse Swimmer 3.4: http://bit.ly/3bdZjgv

-Main Baits: Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Dummy Anchors: Owner CPS Springs Medium: http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Where Do Bass Go During Early Spring? (And How To Catch Them)

Forget the Winter haunts, bass are on the move! The Prespawn is approaching and the fish are beginning to push toward their Spring spawning grounds in huge numbers. Its still early in the transition but if you're not following their movements they'll leave you behind. Come along as Matt explain where they're heading and how to stay ahead of them! 

Whether you fish a reservoir, lake, river, or pond, there is information in this video for you. Matt explains exactly where bass are heading in each style of fishery. Once you understand how and why the fish are moving, predicting their next move becomes very easy. 

This is not the time of year to stick with old patterns and hope to run into fish. You need to actively stay ahead of their movements, fish key locations, and adjust constantly to find the big, prespawn females you're searching for. Below is breakdown of the equipment used in the video as well as some of Matt and Tim's favorite baits this time of year. 

Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 15: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Humminbird Solix 12: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

Mapping (How We Get the Detail)... 

-Humminbird Lakemaster Plus: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

The EXACT Baits Matt has tied on... 

-Lucky Craft LV-500 (Ghost Minnow): http://bit.ly/2aAUUbd

-Tactical DD 75 Crankbait (DD Minnow): http://bit.ly/37dclbX

-Spro Little John 50 Crank (Blood Craw): http://bit.ly/2dDfuqt

-River2Sea S Waver 200 (TW Phantom Trout): http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

-Hogfarmer BFL Hitchhiker A-Rig: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

Excellent Spring Colors In Each Bait... 

LV: Ghost Minnow, American Shad, Phantom Chartreuse Shad

Tactical: DD Minnow, Glass Minnow, Ghost Minnow, Craw

Spro Little John: Blood Craw, Fire Craw, Clear Chartreuse

S Waver: TW Phantom Trout, Light Trout, Bluegill

Other Great Spring Lures... 

-Coolbaits Underspin: http://bit.ly/2boS7QA

-River2Sea Biggie squarebill: http://bit.ly/2ahCzvo

-Bling Spinnerbait: http://bit.ly/2diSwqq

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Cold Water A-Rigs Tricks For Bass

Today we're adapting the A-Rig to catch deep cold water bass. Come along for a day on the water and see where these cold Winter fish are staging, how we target them, and what we do to the alabama rig to adapt to the colder conditions. Too many anglers focus on the shoreline during the cold months. Until we reach the prespawn, offshore fishing is an important part of Winter success. 

When probing deep water with an A-rig its important to adjust the sink rate of the rig. Changing from 1/8 ounce heads in shallow water to 3/16, 3/8, even 3/4 ounce heads will allow you to fish much, much deeper water with ease. You can take it a step further however if you're really paying attention. 

RETRIEVE SPEED is probably the single most important component to catching bass with A-rigs. With that in mind, you can fish an Alabama rig in 20 feet of water with 1/8 ounce heads as long as you go ultra slow. You can fish that same depth with 3/4 ounce heads and burn the bait along the bottom. Anglers understand the value of adjusting retrieve speed in shallow water but it is often overlooked in the depths. Pay attention to the speed you're getting bit at, adjust the swimbait heads on your rig to lighter or heavier models and you will be far more successful this Late Winter and early Pre Spawn. 

Below you'll find a breakdown of some of the best A-rigs available, an explanation of the two head styles we use, along with the gear we were using in the video to throw these rigs in deeper water. 

Lighter Wire A-Rigs... 

-Flash Mob Jr: http://bit.ly/2bgDGNu

-Yum Ultralight Rig: http://bit.ly/2cq4pJQ

-Hogfarmer Baits BFL Hitchhiker: http://bit.ly/36EcEuR

-G Funk Baits Cali Rig Bladed: http://bit.ly/2rZhST7

Swimbait Heads... 

-Matt Allen Swimbait Heads: http://bit.ly/29RrTYN

-TacticalBassin Finesse Swimbait Heads: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Matt Allen heads have a heavier hook for big fish and stout gear. TacticalBassin finesse heads feature a lighter wire hook that is excellent for Winter fish, smallmouth, spotted bass, or mid-sized largemouth. 

Equipment Upgrades To Dial In Your A-Rig... 

-Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 4): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

-Owner CPS Springs (Medium): http://bit.ly/2b2YgDf

-Keitech 4.8 Swimbait (Main Baits): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

-Reaction Innovations Little Dipper (non-hook baits): http://bit.ly/2brnU5I

Favorite Keitech colors for A-rigs: Pro Blue Red Pearl, TW Pro Blue, Electric Shad

Favorite Little Dipper colors: Bad Shad Green, Purple Smoke

Matt's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Curado 7'6" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2gUWTft

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

Tim's A-Rig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Reel- Shimano Curado 200K HG: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 65 lb: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- Sunline FC-100 System 20 lb: http://bit.ly/2O4UElB

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Side Imaging Tricks To Actually See Fish!

Is your depth finder too confusing? Not with Tim's help! He'll teach you everything you need to know so your unit reads with picture-like clarity. His quick tricks for adjusting your side imaging units will clear everything up and provide a picture with real detail so you can find fish and structure more easily. 

The tricks to side imaging are a combination of sensitivity, contrast, and frequency. Many anglers fail to understand the importance of changing frequencies in different environments. Tim goes in depth about the differences between the 455khz, 800khz, and Mhz (Mega) Frequencies and what each can do for your overall image quality. Regardless of the brand unit you're using, switching between 455 and 800 kHz will completely change your picture. 

For anglers looking for a starting point, Tim recommends setting both your sensitivity and contrast to 50%. This is an excellent starting point on virtually any unit. From there you can begin following his advice and making adjustments to get the most out of your unit. Below is a breakdown of the unit Tim uses as well as some of the other great options on the market at different price points. 

Tim's Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 15 Chirp/Mega/SI/GPS: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Humminbird Solix 12 Chirp/Mega/SI/GPS: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

-Humminbird Waterproof Ethernet Switch Port: http://bit.ly/2zTArsD

-Ethernet Cable (2) 20 ft: http://bit.ly/2Df42jh

Smaller/Budget-friendly units...

-Humminbird Helix 7 G3: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

-Humminbird Helix 5 G2 (Awesome unit for the price): http://bit.ly/2fsOu1I

-Lowrance Hook 2 9 series: http://bit.ly/2kBj3l8

Our favorite Equipment For Mounting these units...

-BalzOut Mount: http://bit.ly/2HnxLtu

-Kong Electronics Mount: http://bit.ly/2MohNwS

-Kong Wave Tamer Mount: http://bit.ly/2wsJVbA