Where Should I Be Fishing?

I haven;t done a ton of early spring bass fishing (usually I go for trout after ice out), but after this long season, and with no stocking yet in my part of the state, I want to bass fish this weekend.

I've heard of a lot of big bass caught in this last week, but I'm not really sure where to fish. With the cold water and slow fish, I'd assume a jerkbait would be a good bet. But are the fish in shallow water now or deep? What sort of structure should I be looking to find fish on? What kinds of lure are best?

I know a lot of people don't use live bait. I don't mind it (in a month or two I'll be using nothing but pike sized shiners!), and if it works well now, I'll use it.

I'd appreciate any advice, tips, etc. This weekend I'd like to stay local for bass. I've got a big, deep, rocky lake close by, and a number of shallow (6 feet max), weedy ponds and bogs as well. Which is a better bet for this time of year? Thanks.

I would fish the shallow ponds. The fish are easier to locate. A suspending jerkbait is a good start. Dragging plastic such as craws or tubes will produce also.

some ponds that are to shallow will have a fish kill!

jigs and jerkbaits. lot of people have been doing very well on shallow square bill cranks

I'd stick with a shallow place that's smaller. It should be warmer than a bigger place. Try a spinnerbait as well if there's wind.

I'd agree with everyone else. Shallow. Cranks and spinnerbaits with a jig for good measure

I'm with you. Usually this time of the year I'm focused on trout but with all the delays I'm eager just to get a line in the water.

I'm no expert on early season/ice out bass but I tend to do alright. I fish shallow ponds that are about 10 feet deep or less. I like to focus on the northern/western ends of the lake because it gets the most sunlight and typically warms the quickest. Look for cover or structure that's going to warm up in the sun's rays like boulders and logs. These will help attract fish. Dark bottomed lakes will warm quicker as well.

Fishing midday into the early afternoon seems to be the best time for me.

Fish your lure as slow as you possibly can. I usually toss jigs, jerkbaits, and lipless cranks. Senkos fished whacky rigged twitched on the bottom do VERY well for me as well.

Yup, shallow. If you can find any sort of weeds that's good. I never really had luck on spinnerbaits right after ice out, but square-billed crankbaits for sure.

If you don't have a problem with live bait, which you mentioned you don't, then shiners are a prime bait now. Suspend them under a bobber, and catch all day!

Also, find a herring pond or river and fish the biggest live shiner you can get your hands on. Huge bass will smash anything resembling a herring or alewife at that time.

I also say fish small ponds as they are warmer. The little pond I fished the last two day was 55 degrees. On Sunday I caught a 5.12lb bass on a yum, and yesterday after work I went right back there and caught a 6lb bass on a spinner bait. Like already stated fish it slow as possible and fish docks, logs, stumps, and brush, as they will be warmer areas. Go luck and tight lines