Hey guys, I was just wondering what everyone fishes this time of year? I myself have been trying some slow moving midwater jerkbaits, some finesse fishing with soft plastics, and I even tried some spinnerbaits on the colder/cloudier days. Haven't hooked up once since the ice melted. What are you people fishing this early in the spring? I heard lipless cranks are real good due to their tight swim pattern and good vibration. I also heard swimbaits are surprisingly good this time of year too depending on conditions. I know some kid caught close to a 6 lb'er last weekend on a black football jig'n pig somewhere in the Plymouth area, he was from Brockton, he posted a pic of the fish up on On The Water magazines facebook.
This is the facebook link to that kids pig of a fish.
https://www.facebook.com/OnTheWater.Fishing/photos/a.122618963066.108701.57621458066/10152029555858067/?type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/OnTheWater.Fishing/photos/a.122618963066.108701.57621458066/10152029555858067/?type=1&theater
3/8 oz classic Rat-L-Trap crank fished as slow as possible works pretty well.
1/2 oz blue and black jigs with a crawdad trailer bounced along the bottom do decent as well.
Jerk baits and spinners have their place too but I haven't had that great of luck with them personally.
I usually go with lures that make a lot of vibration and flash that are also able to be fished slowly. Slow is the key word.
Once the ice goes out bass start moving into the shallower pre-spawn areas as the water warms up. Try hitting the west/north side of the lake because it gets the most sun. That's what's worked for me anyways. Every body of water is different.
When in doubt try some live bait haha
1/2 oz blue and black jigs with a crawdad trailer bounced along the bottom do decent as well.
Jerk baits and spinners have their place too but I haven't had that great of luck with them personally.
I usually go with lures that make a lot of vibration and flash that are also able to be fished slowly. Slow is the key word.
Once the ice goes out bass start moving into the shallower pre-spawn areas as the water warms up. Try hitting the west/north side of the lake because it gets the most sun. That's what's worked for me anyways. Every body of water is different.
When in doubt try some live bait haha
i took that advice today with jerkbaits and it worked out very well. i fished them by basically not fishing them and caught a good number of bass in 40 degree water including a 3.11 pounder. lucky craft pointer xd.
Nice job Sam ! I got skunked today at Billington in the poring rain. Water was 41-42 degrees today. I was Def fishing to fast. Was out front 12p to 330p.[/quote]
Much much slower! At least 30 second pauses with jerkbaits. Yo-yo the rattle traps. Water temps are still in 37-41 degree range.
Really? 30 seconds? That seems awful long, but since Sam had luck with that type of presentation, I'll definitely have to give it a try!
it's truly ugly and boring but effective. i just finally forced myself to stick with them, listen to the experts and fish them that slowly. i tried a few things and the slightest twitch after a pause worked that day, not a hard pull or snap.
there were times i literally just threw it out there and stopped fishing to let it sit. i'd either talk or sit down...something like that. when i went to twitch, the fish were just there.
there were times i literally just threw it out there and stopped fishing to let it sit. i'd either talk or sit down...something like that. when i went to twitch, the fish were just there.
then twitch it so its moves a 1/16 of a inch and hope for the best 
