Spring Bass Fishing Made Easy!
As spring arrives and water temperatures climb from the upper 40s into the 50s and 60s, bass become more active and start their transition toward shallow spawning areas. Early in the season they hold in deeper water near transition zones like points, ledges, and drop-offs. As temperatures rise, they begin pushing into staging areas—secondary points, creek channels, and flats near spawning grounds. Once the water reaches the 60s, bass move onto shallow flats, coves, and pockets to spawn.
Spring fishing can be tricky because warming trends, cold fronts, and rain can cause water temperatures to fluctuate, making bass behavior unpredictable.
With this information in mind, here are the most effective spring baits you need in your tackle box this season!
Bladed Jigs
A bladed jig is one of the best lures for spring bass because it excels in the shallow, warming waters where fish are staging and feeding before the spawn. Its vibrating, erratic action mimics baitfish, making it irresistible to hungry bass. The versatility of a bladed jig allows you to cover water quickly, helping you locate active fish even when conditions change daily. Whether the bass are aggressive or just waking up from a cold front, a bladed jig consistently gets bites.
Discount Tackle Best Sellers:
Z-Man ChatterBait Jack Hammer - 3/8 oz.
Strike King Thunder Cricket Vibrating Swim Jig
Z-Man Jack Hammer ChatterBait StealthBlade
Berkley SlobberKnocker Bladed Jig
Spinnerbaits
A spinnerbait is a go-to lure for spring bass because it shines in murky water and windy conditions, both common this time of year. Its flashing blades and pulsing skirt mimic fleeing baitfish, triggering reaction strikes from bass moving up to feed. It works best around submerged wood, grass, and rocky banks. You can fish it slow when the water is still cool or speed it up as temperatures rise. With its ability to cover water and draw big bites, a spinnerbait is a must-have for spring fishing.
Discount Tackle Best Sellers:
Z-Man SlingbladeZ Double Willow Spinnerbait
Megabass SV-3 Double Willow Spinnerbait
Strike King Tour Grade Double Willow Spinnerbait
Booyah Pond Magic Spinnerbait 3/16oz
Dirty Jigs Compact Spinnerbait
Shallow Running Crankbaits
A shallow-running crankbait is a top choice for spring bass because it perfectly imitates the baitfish and crawfish bass are feeding on as they move shallow.Try a “Red Craw” colored crankbait if there’s an abundance of crawfish in your body of water. Its wobbling action and ability to deflect off cover make it deadly around rocks, stumps, and riprap banks. As water temperatures rise, bass become more aggressive, and a crankbait allows you to cover water quickly to find active fish. Whether you're cranking it slowly on cooler days or burning it over flats in warmer conditions, this lure is a proven springtime producer.
Discount Tackle Best Sellers:
Berkley Frittside Shallow Diving Flat Sided Crankbait
Rapala DT Series Crankbait DT4
SPRO John Crews Little John 50 Shallow Crankbait
Strike King Chick Magnet Flat Sided Crankbait
Evergreen International Flat Force 4 Flat-Sided Shallow Diving Crankbait
Jigs
A jig is a springtime essential because it perfectly mimics crayfish, which become more active as water temperatures rise. Bass instinctively key in on these easy meals, making a jig one of the best bottom-hopping baits this time of year. Pair it with a soft plastic craw trailer and target rocky banks and laydowns. Fish it slowly and methodically, letting it crawl along the bottom like a real crawdad. Whether you’re flipping into cover or dragging it along a point, a jig consistently gets big bites when bass are feeding low in the water column.
Discount Tackle Best Sellers:
Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig
Keitech Tungsten Model II Football Jig
Strike King Tour Grade Football Jig
Bass Patrol Silicone Western Football Jig
Strike King Tour Grade Finesse Football Jig
Worms
A soft plastic worm or stick bait is a springtime staple. As water warms, bass often hang around cover like docks, brush, and grass beds, where a weightless or lightly weighted worm can be worked slowly to trigger bites. It’s especially effective on finicky fish that won’t chase faster-moving lures. Whether you're fishing it Texas-rigged, wacky style, or weightless, a soft plastic worm is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to catch bass in the spring.
Discount Tackle Best Sellers:
Z-Man ZinkerZ 5 inch Soft Plastic Stick Bait 6 pack
Berkley PowerBait MaxScent The General Soft Stickbait
Z-Man Finesse WormZ 7 inch ElaZtech Worms
YUM Dinger Soft Plastic Stick Bait
Gary Yamamoto Senko 5 inch Soft Plastic Stick Bait 10 pack
Spring bass fishing can be unpredictable, but having the right lures makes all the difference. As bass move through their seasonal transitions, bladed jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jigs, and soft plastic worms all play a key role in catching fish. Each bait excels in different conditions, helping you adjust to changing water temperatures and bass behavior. Keep these proven lures in your tackle box, pay attention to where the fish are moving, and you'll be set for a successful spring on the water!