Springtime fishing tactics to fill your livewell.
Spring is most fishermen's favorite time to hit the waters. This window is an excellent period to go after pre-spawn, spawning, and post-spawn fish. If that’s something you plan to do this year, check out these 50 spring fishing tips for big-time fun below.
Springtime bass sure are fun to catch.
SMALLMOUTH AND LARGEMOUTH BASS
1. Buy your new fishing license. Some states work on a 12-month period from time of purchase. Other states set expiration dates for winter or spring.
2. Prep your boat, boat trailer, winch, tires, etc. for spring. Conduct regular maintenance to decrease the odds of a malfunction.
3. Inspect safety gear, such as lifejackets, flares, and more.
4. Bass are driven by the spring spawning cycle, so knowing where they are in that cycle is required for success.
5. Most largemouth bass tend to head for shallower waters and begin spawning when the water hits about 55-60 degrees.
6. Bass really like to make nests in pea-sized gravel. Find these beds in shallower water that isn’t far from deeper water.
7. Fish are very sensitive to water temperature, which impacts the depth you’ll find them at.
8. Barometric pressure impacts fish behavior. Keep an eye on that metric and fish accordingly.
9. Focus on shallower areas, as this time of year tends to see fish heading for their typical spawning grounds.
10. When bass start hanging close to specific areas, it’s likely they’re getting ready to spawn soon.
11. This time of year, during pre-spawn, the water temperatures are in the 40s to low 50s. Choose a series of baits that best fit that range. Lipless crankbaits, jerk baits, and certain jigs are solid picks.
12. Soft-plastic stick baits, skirted jigs, frog baits, topwater lures, and more, can work well in springtime, too.
13. A plastic worm can work wonders in the spring waters.
14. A good drop-shot rig can get the job done right.
15. Add some scent to your baits, but only when it makes sense to.
16. At their most territorial stages, bass are likely to attack any bait that gets too close to the bed.
17. Springtime delivers a specific type of natural bait, and anglers must establish a game plan that works with that reality.
18. Live bait, such as crayfish or nightcrawlers, make great options for catching big springtime bass.
19. Pre-spawn bass will likely feed close to their spawning grounds, making docks, rocks, lily pads stumps, weeds, submerged logs, and other areas hot spots.
As spring waters begin to warm up, so does the fishing.
20. Most bass are lying in wait and facing against the current. They’re waiting for the current to bring bait fish into striking distance. Therefore, casting into the wind or current will provide a natural presentation as your bait goes with the current and approaches awaiting bass head-on.
21. Oftentimes, bass will congregate in key areas. If you catch one, keep after it, because you’ll likely catch more.
22. A warm spring rain can speed up the water temperature increase process, which can impact the spawning cycle.
23. Don’t overlook floating docks, submerged ditches, mud lines, and other key locations for big bass.
24. Generally, it takes about two weeks for bass to complete the spawning cycle. Know when that window typically occurs where you fish.
25. With clear waters, sight fishing is an excellent springtime tactic.
26. Are bass hitting the surface consistently? Strap on your favorite topwater lure and get back in the game.
27. A leader can help make an underwater lure look more realistic.
28. Holes, side channels, and other key areas can be solid spots to pick off a spawning bass. Oftentimes, they’ll tuck away in spots that avoid people, boats, heavy currents, and more.
29. Have multiple rods rigged up and ready to go so you can quickly alternate between options.
30. Learn to use a baitcaster and experience a faster style of fishing.
31. Use an appropriate net, quality pliers, and other necessary tools to minimize stress on the fish.
32. When you catch a springtime bass, quickly return it to the water to decrease health risks to the fish.
33. When it’s colder, consider fishing later in the day after waters warm up.
34. Wherever the sun is shining on the water, that’s where you should try fishing for a bit.
35. Experiencing some difficulty catching fish? Remember, this time of year, very small tactical changes can have very big impacts.
36. Continue to keep an eye on your fishing reels, line, hooks, baits, etc. Replace as needed.
BLUEGILL, BRIM, CRAPPIE, SUNFISH, AND OTHER PANFISH
Spring is the best time of year to go after big panfish.
37. Like bass, bluegill, brim and other panfish spawn in the springtime. These species provide great opportunities for fishing fun.
38. Bluegill want to be in the warmest water they can find. So, find wherever that water is located.
39. In early spring, crappies like a good deep-water creek with structure.
40. Once the temps reach the mid to upper 50s, crappies tend to shift to shallow flats.
41. With clear to lightly stained water conditions, crappies are more likely to live around stumps in shallower water along the banks.
42. With dirtier water, crappies tend to dive deeper into the water.
43. Crickets, worms, and other live baits are great for panfish.
44. Using light tackle might not catch the biggest panfish, but it will increase the total haul.
45. Are you fishing from the bank? Start deep, and reel toward the shallows.
46. Use colorful jigs around cover to spark a bite.
47. In clearer water, sight fishing works for panfish, too.
BONUS: CATFISH
48. Blue catfish can remain active even when waters are slightly colder. Target these when water temperatures aren’t what they need to be to go after other subspecies of whisker fish.
49. Channel catfish can be more easily located in rivers along soft banks and slow eddies. In lakes, focus on leeward points or even coves that offer a bit of shelter.
50. Use something slimy and nasty, like a raw chicken liver, to catch that big, tasty catfish.
Regardless of what you go fishing for this spring, make sure to have a good trip. The best action only lasts for a while, and then, the warmer days of summer will be here.
Article by Josh Honeycutt
