Top Tips for Fishing in Spring: Techniques & Gear Guide

Fishing in Spring

Spring is one of the best times of the year for freshwater fishing, offering some of the best bass fishing opportunities. As water temperatures rise, fish become more active, move to shallow areas, and begin their pre-spawn and spawning activities. This creates prime opportunities for anglers to catch a variety of species like bass, trout, crappie, and walleye. In this guide, we’ll explore the best strategies for spring fishing, how to find fish, and what lures and techniques to use to maximize your success.

Why Spring is a Great Time for Fishing

Spring marks the end of winter’s cold temperatures, leading to increased fish activity. Here’s why spring is such a productive season for freshwater fishing:

• Increased Fish Activity: Rising water temperatures boost fish metabolism, making them more active and hungry.

• Pre-Spawn Feeding: Fish like bass and crappie feed aggressively in preparation for spawning, making them easier to catch.

• Pre-Spawn Season: During this critical period, bass transition from deeper waters to warmer, shallower areas to prepare for spawning, making them more accessible to anglers.

• Shallow Water Action: Fish move to shallow areas to spawn, where they are easier to locate and target.

• Clearer Water: In many areas, spring rains clear up murky water, making it easier for fish to see lures.

Key Strategies for Spring Fishing

To take advantage of the spring season, adjust your fishing techniques and tactics to target active fish effectively.

1. Focus on Shallow Water Areas

During the spring, many fish move into shallow waters to feed and spawn. This makes shorelines, flats, and coves prime fishing spots.

• Best Locations: Look for areas with submerged vegetation, docks, fallen trees, or rocky structures. These areas are also ideal for targeting smallmouth bass, which begin their spawning phases at slightly cooler temperatures than largemouth bass.

• Target Depth: Focus on areas 1 to 10 feet deep, especially in the early morning when fish are feeding.

2. Fish During Warmer Parts of the Day

Water temperatures can still be chilly in early spring, so fish tend to be more active when the water warms up.

• Best Times: Late morning to early afternoon when the sun has had time to warm up the water.

• Pro Tip: On cooler days, target shallow, sunny areas where the water temperature is slightly higher.

3. Use Slow and Steady Retrieves

In early spring, fish may still be a bit sluggish from winter, so using a slow and steady retrieve can be more effective.

• Best Lures: Jerkbaits, soft plastics, and jigs are great for slow presentations. In colder water, the strike zone diminishes, so using lures that can remain in this zone longer, like jerkbaits and jigs, can be more effective.

• Pro Tip: Pause frequently during your retrieve to give fish time to strike.

4. Match the Hatch with Your Lures

Spring is a time of increased insect activity and baitfish hatches. Matching your lures to the size and color of the natural prey can be highly effective.

• Top Choices: Use natural-colored crankbaits, soft plastic worms, and spinnerbaits to mimic local prey.

• Pro Tip: If you notice fish feeding on specific baitfish or insects, switch to a lure that resembles them.

5. Target Pre-Spawn Bass

Spring is prime time for bass fishing, especially during the pre-spawn period when bass are feeding heavily.

• Best Techniques: Use Texas-rigged soft plastics, jigs, or spinnerbaits to target bass in shallow coves and flats. This period is also an excellent opportunity to catch giant bass, as they are feeding heavily in preparation for spawning.

• Location: Focus on areas with gravel or sandy bottoms where bass are likely to build their nests.

6. Understanding the Three Stages of Spawning

Understanding the three stages of spawning is crucial for successful spring bass fishing. The three stages are pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn.

• Pre-spawn: As the water begins to warm, bass start moving from their wintering areas to their spawning grounds. During this stage, bass tend to congregate in areas with suitable cover, such as rocks, weeds, and sunken logs. They are more active and can be caught using a variety of lures and techniques. This is an excellent time for early spring bass fishing, as bass are feeding heavily to prepare for the spawn.

• Spawn: When the water temperature reaches 55-65°F (13-18°C), bass begin their spawning activities. They can be found in shallow water, often in areas with vegetation or other forms of cover. During this stage, bass are less active and more focused on protecting their nests, making them more challenging to catch. However, targeting the edges of spawning grounds with subtle presentations can still yield results.

• Post-spawn: After the spawn, bass move back to deeper water to recover. They can be caught using a variety of lures and techniques, including those that imitate their natural food sources. During this stage, bass are often hungry and more willing to strike, making it a great time to catch bass using crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and soft plastics.

7. Checking Water Temperature and Clarity

Water temperature and clarity are essential factors to consider when spring bass fishing. Bass are more active in certain water temperatures and can be found in areas with suitable clarity.

• Water Temperature: Bass are most active in water temperatures between 50-70°F (10-21°C). During the pre-spawn stage, bass tend to congregate in areas with warmer water temperatures, such as shallow coves and sunlit shorelines. As the spawn approaches, they move to slightly cooler areas to build their nests. Monitoring water temperature can help you locate the most active fish and adjust your tactics accordingly.

• Water Clarity: Bass can be found in areas with varying levels of water clarity. In clear water, bass tend to be more cautious and can be caught using more subtle lures and techniques, such as soft plastic worms and jigs. In murky water, bass are more active and can be caught using louder, more attention-grabbing lures like spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Adjusting your lure selection based on water clarity can significantly improve your chances of success.

Best Lures for Spring Bass Fishing

Selecting the right spring bass fishing lures can make a big difference in your catch rate during the spring season. Here are some of the top lures to use:

1. Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits are perfect for targeting bass, walleye, and pike in spring when fish are aggressive but still cautious.

• How to Use: Use a twitch-pause-twitch retrieve to mimic a wounded baitfish.

• Best Colors: Use natural colors like silver, shad, or perch.

2. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are versatile lures that work well in both clear and murky waters, especially when fish are actively feeding.

• How to Use: Cast near cover and use a slow, steady retrieve.

• Pro Tip: Use chartreuse or white spinnerbaits in murky water for better visibility.

3. Soft Plastic Worms

Soft plastic worms are great for finesse fishing, especially in clear water.

• Best Techniques: Use Texas rigs or Carolina rigs to fish around submerged vegetation or cover.

• Pro Tip: Choose darker colors like green pumpkin or black in clear water and brighter colors in stained water.

4. Crankbaits

Crankbaits are excellent for covering large areas quickly to find active fish.

• Best Types: Use shallow-diving crankbaits for targeting fish in 5 to 10 feet of water.

• Pro Tip: Bounce your crankbait off rocks or logs to trigger reaction strikes.

5. Jigs

Jigs are versatile and can be used to target a variety of species, especially bass and crappie.

• How to Use: Cast near cover and use a slow hopping motion to mimic a crawfish.

• Pro Tip: Add a soft plastic trailer for extra movement and appeal.

Best Techniques for Targeting Specific Species in Spring

Different fish species behave differently in spring. Here’s how to target some of the most popular freshwater fish:

1. Largemouth Bass

Bass are highly active in spring as they prepare for spawning.

• Best Techniques: Use jigs, soft plastics, and crankbaits near shallow cover.

• Top Locations: Focus on coves, flats, and areas with submerged logs or vegetation.

2. Crappie

Crappie are known to school up in shallow areas during the spring.

• Best Techniques: Use small jigs or minnows under a float to target crappie.

• Top Locations: Look for crappie near brush piles, docks, or submerged timber.

3. Walleye

Walleye move into rivers and shallow areas in spring to spawn.

• Best Techniques: Use jerkbaits, jigs, or live bait near river mouths and rocky shorelines.

• Top Locations: Focus on areas with current breaks, drop-offs, or rocky points.

4. Trout

Spring is an excellent time for trout fishing in streams and rivers, as the fish are more active.

• Best Techniques: Use small spinners, spoons, or live bait like worms.

• Top Locations: Target deeper pools and riffles where trout are feeding.

Locating Fish in the Spring

Locating fish in the spring can be challenging, but there are several techniques that can increase your chances of success.

1. Identifying Prime Fishing Spots

Identifying prime fishing spots is essential for successful spring bass fishing. Look for areas with suitable cover, such as rocks, weeds, and sunken logs. Bass tend to congregate in areas with these features, especially during the pre-spawn stage.

• Structural Elements: Look for structural elements such as drop-offs, humps, and ridges. These areas can provide bass with ambush points and can be productive during the pre-spawn and post-spawn stages. Bass often use these structures to transition between deeper water and their spawning grounds.

• Vegetation: Vegetation such as lily pads, cattails, and algae can provide bass with cover and can be productive during the spawn and post-spawn stages. These areas offer protection and abundant food sources, making them prime spots for targeting bass.

2. How Weather Affects Spring Bass Fishing

Weather can significantly impact spring bass fishing. Bass are more active in certain weather conditions and can be caught using a variety of lures and techniques.

• Sunny Days: Sunny days can make bass more active, especially during the pre-spawn stage. Look for areas with suitable cover and use lures that imitate their natural food sources. Shallow, sunlit areas warm up faster, attracting bass and making them more likely to strike.

• Cloudy Days: Cloudy days can make bass more cautious, especially during the spawn stage. Use more subtle lures and techniques to increase your chances of success. On overcast days, bass may roam more freely, so covering more water with search baits like crankbaits can be effective.

• Wind: Wind can make bass more active, especially during the post-spawn stage. Look for areas with structural elements and use lures that imitate their natural food sources. Wind can stir up the water, making bass less cautious and more likely to strike moving baits like spinnerbaits and jerkbaits.

By understanding these factors and adjusting your approach accordingly, you can significantly improve your chances of a successful and rewarding spring fishing experience.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Fishing Too Early in Cold Water: Fish are less active in cold water, so wait until water temperatures rise to at least 50°F before targeting shallow areas.

• Ignoring Weather Conditions: Spring weather can be unpredictable, so adjust your tactics based on wind, rain, and temperature changes.

• Using the Wrong Lures: If fish aren’t biting, try switching to a different lure or color to match what they’re feeding on.

• Fishing Too Fast: Slow down your presentation, especially in early spring when fish may still be sluggish from winter.

Conclusion

Spring is one of the most exciting times of the year for freshwater fishing. By focusing on shallow areas, using the right lures, and adjusting your techniques to match fish behavior, you can make the most of this productive season. Whether you’re targeting bass, crappie, walleye, or trout, adapting your approach to the changing conditions can lead to a successful and rewarding fishing experience.

FAQs

1. What’s the best time of day for spring fishing? Late morning to early afternoon is best as water temperatures are higher, increasing fish activity.
2. Can I fish for bass in early spring? Yes, but focus on shallow, sunlit areas where the water warms up quickly.
3. What’s the best bait for crappie in spring? Small jigs or live minnows are excellent for catching crappie in spring.
4. How do I know where to fish in spring? Look for shallow areas with cover like weeds, rocks, or submerged logs where fish are likely to spawn.
5. Can I catch trout in spring rivers? Absolutely! Focus on deeper pools, riffles, and areas with strong currents where trout are feeding.