As the days get longer and the water temps start to rise, bass across the country are shifting into high gear. Spring is one of the most exciting times of the year for anglers, with pre-spawn giants feeding aggressively and bedded bass defending their territory. Whether you’re working deeper water for staging fish or sight-fishing in the shallows, having the right bait is the key to landing more bass this season.
To help you maximize your success, we’ve put together the top 5 bait styles that will get bites when it counts:
1. Soft Swimbaits – Natural, Lifelike Action
Soft swimbaits are a must-have for covering water and triggering reaction bites. Their realistic swimming motion and lifelike texture make them irresistible to bass looking for an easy meal. Perfect for fishing through open water or along transition areas where bass are staging.
Nature Series Soft Swimbait – Designed for a natural presentation that bass can’t resist.
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⚡ 2. Spinnerbaits – Flash, Vibration, and Versatility
Spinnerbaits are a killer option for targeting active, feeding bass during the pre-spawn period. They produce both flash and vibration, making them effective in different water conditions.
Bio-Blade Willow Spinnerbait – Best for clear water and warmer conditions, allowing for a faster retrieve that draws reaction strikes.
Bio-Blade Colorado Spinnerbait – Designed for murky water, low-light conditions, and slow retrieves. The larger Colorado blade creates a strong thumping action that bass can track down.
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3. Crankbaits – Perfect for Reaction Strikes
Crankbaits are deadly in the pre-spawn, when bass are aggressively feeding but still keyed in on certain depths. They cover water quickly and trigger reaction bites, making them an essential bait style for this time of year.
BBZ Bio-Shad Crankbait – Engineered for precision swimming action, this bait is perfect for drawing aggressive strikes.
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4. Creature Baits – Mimic Natural Prey
Spring bass love creature baits, whether they’re actively feeding or guarding beds. These baits imitate crawfish, insects, and small fish, making them an easy target for hungry bass.
Flutter Nymph – Ideal for finesse fishing around beds when bass are locked in and defensive.
Flippin’ Frog – A versatile option for topwater fishing or flipping into heavy cover where big bass hide.
Kickin’ Craw – Designed to replicate a real crawfish, triggering aggressive bites in both deep and shallow water.
Cover Bird – Perfect for working through thick vegetation, allowing you to fish where the big ones are hiding.
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5. Hard Swimbaits – Big Profile, Big Bite
Hard swimbaits are known for producing trophy-class bass during the pre-spawn. They mimic larger baitfish and work especially well when bass are keying in on big meals.
BBZ Hard Swimbait – Crafted for natural movement, making it a prime choice for tempting aggressive fish.
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The Time to Fish is NOW!
Spring is one of the best times of the year to catch bass—when they’re feeding hard and preparing for the spawn. By understanding their movements and using the right baits, you’ll set yourself up for a season full of monster catches.
Tight lines and good luck on the water!
About FishLab
At FishLab we learn by doing. The water is our lab and we love research! We know there’s a reason when a lure works, and that angling is part art and part science. It’s a puzzle where the pieces constantly change, sometimes in our favor… sometimes not. But, by applying decades of experience, bold creativity, a little patience and a lot of time on the water, we can better the odds of finding that successful formula.
We know that making effective lures means understanding the target fish and the food they eat… and we do! FishLab lures are realistic, scientifically accurate, meticulously crafted, well made, and designed for one purpose… to catch fish!
FISHLAB. SCIENCE OF THE STRIKE.
About Okuma Fishing Tackle
At Okuma Fishing Tackle, we deliver more than just fishing gear. We deliver the motivation to hit the water, the energy to maintain focus, and the excitement that injects every cast with high expectations. The advanced materials, dynamic design, and commitment to longevity contained in each of our fishing reels, fishing rods, and rod and reel combos are not simply a means to an end. They are the foundation of a better and more complete fishing experience.
Okuma Fishing Tackle was developed to inspire your passion for fishing, both on and off the water. Whether you fish for bass, trout, catfish, salmon/steelhead, striper, tuna, or marlin, when the sun rises tomorrow, a new opportunity will be born. Let’s make the most of it together.
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