On the desert impoundments where he does much of his March fishing, he believes everything this month is related to the spawn. He targets similar areas to those favored by Lintner.
Farther north, Clausen notes that some waters will likely still have ice on them in early March. But by late March, water temperatures take a turn that leads to lunkers. That stuff will warm up over the course of the day, and the bass there will get active. Because March is not yet spring with a capital "S," Clausen, Bertrand and Lintner opt for lures that can cover water, but not for high-speed retrieves.
They all choose baits that offer action at slow speeds and that work down in the water column. The former Bassmaster Classic and Wood Cup champion likes to slow-roll the spinnerbait and bump it into cover to trigger a strike. As with the spinnerbait, a slow retrieve is usually best. Because the water in desert impoundments is usually quite clear, Bertrand generally has to go deeper for his March bass.
He'll crawl it on or near the bottom so it impacts every piece of available cover. Lintner's other March favorite is his go-to in dirtier water. Between the rattle and the vibration, it gets the attention of bass and triggers strikes as it bounces off cover on a slow, steady retrieve. Bertrand points to Lake Havasu and the Salt River chain of lakes. Just about any bass water in your area could produce a personal best if you get out there in March and follow our experts' advice, but genetics can really put things in your favor.
If a fishery has Florida bass Micropterus salmoides floridanus genetics, the bass will have a greater propensity for growth than pure Northern-strain largemouths. Florida genetics have had a greater impact on producing record-class bass than any other factor. Check with your state fisheries office to see if there have been any Florida bass stockings in waters near you. All three of our experts agree that timing can be everything in March. Weed edges that are well defined, like a wall of weeds, will hold the best fishing.
These edges are usually so defined because of a drop-off bordering the weeds. Early morning bass will be positioned toward the outside, so pull right up to the weed edge and fish parallel to it. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits or jigs.
Try slow-rolling the spinnerbait along the bottom as close to the weeds as possible. During the day, bass will move toward deeper water or deeper inside the weeds.
When the sun is high, always fish the shady side of cover no matter how deep or shallow. Cast a frog into the weeds, pausing and twitching the bait at any openings.
Pitch a jig into the same openings—you may need a heavy jig to break through the canopy. In deeper lakes, some largemouths will seek out cooler water by moving to offshore structure such as small- to medium-sized gravel, hard bottom or shell beds.
Underwater humps surrounded by deeper water, long points that lead to deep water, areas where the channel swings close to shore, sunken brush piles, fallen trees and channels or deep depressions in coves will also hold summer largemouths. Fish these structures with drop-shot rigs, football-head jigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits. Summer Tip: Get some good foul weather gear and make sure to be on the water when a low-pressure system is approaching as long as there is no lightning.
As soon as it begins to rain, get to the best area of the lake—the big fish will start feeding soon after. As the water cools in the fall, bass move shallower to feed and pack on weight for the lean winter. Once the water drops to 55 degrees, the bite can turn on. Another bonus is that few anglers are still fishing at this time of year.
Dress properly and you will have awesome days all to yourself. There are large fish still to be caught as well as large quantities. The bass will stack up in prime areas and you can catch them one after another. Early in the fall, before the lake turns over, bass will move back into the same shallow areas where they were feeding before the spawn. A small- to medium-sized spinnerbait, like the War Eagle, and a square-billed crankbait will work wonders in the month of September.
Points once again will be sure spots for fish as well as any cover adjacent to deeper water. Article: Deer Season Bass Strategies. I have three go-to lures for fall—a medium-diving crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and a jerkbait. Topwaters, spoons and spinnerbaits can also be effective. As the lake turns over, fishing will be tough for a stretch. After turnover, when the lake has settled and cleared up again, bass will move to the steepest ledges leading to flats with the last remaining weeds on them.
Pay attention to the weeds that get stuck on your hooks. Bass pile up next to the last remaining living green weeds. Dying brown weeds will deplete an area of oxygen, and bass will not linger in these places.
As the water gets colder, bass will start ganging up on steep slopes; you can leave flat shorelines alone once the water is in the 40s and 50s. Look for the sharpest drop-offs all around the lake and you can be fairly certain that these will be early- and late-season spots.
Article: Fall is Crankbait Season. A surefire way to score in late fall is to find baitfish and use a jerkbait or spoon. With the right techniques and a little bit of luck, you can reel in a big bass to start the season right. Spring is a great time for bass fishing almost anywhere across the country. In warmer southern states, bass migration typically begins in March, while in colder northern regions it may not begin until mid-to-late April.
However, the peak season for pre-spawn bass fishing can vary widely in different regions based on temperature patterns and weather conditions each year. For serious anglers, these variations in bass migration make it possible to catch peak spring bass fishing in several different popular fishing locations across the U. Here are just a few of the best places for early spring bass fishing across the country:. During spring bass migration, Lake Fork provides many grassy inlets, vegetation and other pockets where bass can congregate.
The lake also offers thin and shallow sections of water that are perfect for hooking big bass on warm spring days. This fertile reservoir produces large bass that can be hooked from its shorelines or along offshore humps. Choke Canyon provides a variety of cover for migrating bass including timber, vegetation and rocks.
The reservoir also offers various water conditions from its muddy upper end to its clear lower lake. California is another state known for excellent bass fishing. From coastal inlets to rivers and lakes, California has bass fishing waters to satisfy any angler. The California Delta where the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet is a particularly productive region for bass fishing in California and includes rivers, tidal channels and bays. The thick grasses and vegetation in this region provide perfect cover for heavyweight bass in the spring and often make it easy to get a bite.
However, the California Delta is also expansive with rising and falling tides that can sometimes make it challenging to locate bass. Many lakes in Southern California have produced massive bass over the years — including Dottie, the famous pound bass that was hooked in Dixon Lake in Castaic Lake and Lake Casitas, both situated just north of Los Angeles, have also been home to some of the biggest largemouth bass ever caught.
Many Southern California lakes continue to produce some of the best bass fishing in the country, and early spring is the best season to try your hand at catching a big one. Boasting a stable water level and ample public boat ramps, Guntersville Lake is a prime spring bass fishing destination for anglers of every skill level.
Guntersville Lake offers many patches of eelgrass where hungry bass can hide in the spring. Spring is the perfect season for bass fishing in Florida, and Lake Okeechobee attracts anglers from across the country. Lake Okeechobee offers excellent habitat for migrating bass with lily pads, shallow waters and ample vegetation.
A scenic trail encircling the lake also makes it easy to scope out the perfect bass fishing spot. Located on the southwestern border of Georgia, Lake Seminole offers nearly miles of shorelines that are filled with bass in the spring.
Rocks, grasses, logs and bushes along pockets of deep water provide cover for migrating bass. With 11 lakes to choose from, the Finger Lakes offer a variety of habitats from weedy shallows to deep ridges where anglers can hook bass all season long. With the right spring bass fishing techniques and early season bass lures, you can fill your boat with bass no matter where your spring fishing trip takes you. If you are ready to plan a trip to your favorite bass fishing waters, consider choosing a KOA Campground as your home base.
With more than locations across the U. KOA Campgrounds offer a variety of ways to stay for campers and anglers of every style.
When you stay at a KOA Campground for your spring fishing trip, you can expect friendly and knowledgeable staff, clean bathroom and shower facilities, level and clean campsites, laundry facilities and other standard amenities to make your visit comfortable. For even more fun for the whole family, many KOA locations also offer special features like playgrounds, pet parks, swimming pools, game rooms, water sports and more. Each month, direct to your email inbox, we'll send the best camping news, tips, recipes and more, to enhance the camping lifestyle you love so much.
How to Locate Bass in the Spring The most critical step for spring bass fishing success is finding the spot where bass are biting. Early Spring Bass Fishing Lures and Baits The best early spring bass fishing lures are those that can cover plenty of water and have a fairly steady presentation. Here are some of the best early spring bass fishing lures to try this season: 1. Suspending Jerkbaits Suspending jerkbaits imitate baitfish that are dying or chilled from the winter, making them an excellent choice for colder days.
Lipless Crankbaits Like suspending jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits also resemble winter-chilled baitfish and are another great choice for early season bass lures. Jigbaits With Crawfish or Grub On warmer spring days when bass have migrated to shallower areas, jigbaits can be used along docks or rocky spots.
Plastic Worms Small plastic worms, also called finesse worms, are a great choice for challenging fishing conditions. Tubes When you are locating bass in flats or along ridges, soft plastic tubes are a great choice. Drop-Shot Rigs Drop-shot rigs are effective and extremely easy to fish with, making them an excellent choice for bass fishing with the whole family. Spring Bass Fishing Techniques The most successful spring bass fishing techniques will often involve slow presentation with subtle jerks, as the fish are still moving slowly in the cooler water.
Fish late in the day in early spring when the main part of a lake or pond is still cold. If you have options where to fish for bass, try shallow lakes and ponds first as the season progresses. They warm up quickly with warm and stable weather, more so than deeper bodies of water. If you have several rods to employ, always keep one rod rigged with a spinnerbait. Crankbaits are also staples for spring bass fishing. Try a super-shallow running version in extreme shallows, and a slightly deep running version in 3 to 6 feet of water.
Pausing the lure occasionally is very effective. In lakes with crayfish populations, try crankbaits and jigs that are worked along rocky areas, including rip rap banks. If you can, fish parallel along the shoreline rather than perpendicular to it. As the water warms later in spring, you can fish a hard, suspending jerkbait more aggressively. A lot of spring bass fishing involves searching and covering a good deal of water.
That is not what a jig does best, yet jigs catch a lot of spring bass and other species. First try small-profile jigs that can be worked either along the bottom or up in the water column, and then larger-bodied jigs along the bottom and around cover, such as bushes and stumps.
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