Spring is quite possibly a bass fisherman’s favorite time of year. Winter has been longer and colder than we wanted and the fish are fat and aggressive. When it comes to finding those heavy giants, it can be a little difficult if you’re not looking in the right place at the right time. Here are three tips every angler should know when it comes to catching big bass in the spring.

Tip #1-Creeks are Goldmines

This is a fact that I can’t stress to you enough. Even streams that feed lakes in the spring, but dry up in the summer can be loaded with big fish! Why? Because the water is so much warmer.  There’s a lake I fish a lot that has a swamp-fed creek. In April on a sunny day, when the air temperature is 55 to 65 degrees, the water temperature can be as warm as 83-85 degrees in the afternoon, all while the main lake temperature sits at 45. Even something as simple as spring flooding that produces runoff which spills into a lake will be as much as 10-15 degrees warmer than the lake itself (depending on depth). 

Elevated temperatures like this act like giant magnets for largemouth bass. But the key is to not get overly anxious. The water won’t really warm up until late afternoon and the warm water needs time to empty into the lake and draw the bigger bass in. If you hit the creek at 10 am you’ll find temps in the lower 50s, and the fishing will be mediocre. Come back at 3 and you’ll find it outstanding, with thousands of fish there and all of them feeding heavily.

Man fishing in creek

 

Tip #2-Explore Every Area

When you look at a lake, especially smaller ones that you’ve fished for years, you can often get too complacent in where you fish. If there’s a particular side or pocket that is normally very good but suddenly isn’t producing, look to see if there’s a nearby reason that can explain the sudden change. Did a homeowner recently dump gravel or sand in and around their home to create a more kid-friendly swimming area? Or is a new culvert from the nearby road diverting water into a different place? These factors could have huge impacts on fish early in the year.

 

It’s also possible that the bass have found new cover, or that their former cover has been altered or removed. Laydowns, brush piles, and grass beds are all subject to change. If there was a flood in the fall, it’s possible that it created some sort of transition area nearby that has become a new favorite staging area. Remember that bass do almost nothing out of want, and nearly everything out of a need to follow their food source.

 

Man and child catching bass

Tip #3-Downsize Your Bait

Most days you can get more big fish in early spring by throwing a shakey head than you will by throwing that giant football jig. Fish are still lethargic when they first come in and don’t want giant meals. Even when they’re spawning or guarding fry they will tend to lean toward eating numerous small meals because they  are afraid of getting a food coma from eating something too big. It’s also true that they’re seeing a lot of bait hitting their waters from people like us all trying to get out at once. This will cause the fish to get a little finicky. 

Spring is a great time of year to throw a little 1/4oz spinnerbait or a little 2.5 inch swimbait. It’s big enough to get their attention, but small enough so they’ll eat it if for no other reason than the fact that they felt a lack of respect. Bass ARE predators. It doesn’t take much to get them to act on it. 

Man with bass

With spring in full swing, take advantage of the weather and get on the water as much as possible. Looking for some more spring tips? Our blog is filled with suggestions of baits to use, or fishing techniques to try to catch that fish you’ve always dreamed of. As always, if you have any questions about bait, contact us or visit the store for professional insight.