Bass Pre-Spawn Fishing Tips: Catch More Fish This Season
- Bass Hippy
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
As winter transitions into spring, bass begin their annual migration from deep wintering holes to shallow spawning grounds. This period, known as the pre-spawn, is one of the best times to catch big bass. They are actively feeding in preparation for spawning, making them aggressive and more likely to strike. To maximize your success, follow these essential pre-spawn fishing tips.
During the pre-spawn phase, bass move from deeper waters toward shallow flats, coves, and creek channels where they will eventually spawn. They often stage near transition areas such as drop-offs, points, or submerged structures before fully committing to the shallows. Water temperature plays a key role, with bass becoming more active when temperatures rise
above 50-55°F.
Finding bass during the pre-spawn is all about identifying transition zones. Some of the best locations to target include:
Secondary Points: These are ideal staging areas where bass stop before moving shallow.
Creek Channels: Look for areas where deep water meets a flat or a shallow bay.
Rocky Banks & Riprap: These areas warm up quickly and attract baitfish, drawing in hungry bass.
Vegetation Edges & Brush Piles: Cover provides ambush points for feeding bass.
Bass are aggressively feeding before the spawn, so using the right bait can make all the difference. Here are some top pre-spawn lure choices:
Jerkbaits: Suspending jerkbaits mimic struggling baitfish and work well in cold water. Use a slow retrieve with long pauses. My favorite is the Strike King KVD Jerkbait"
Color: "Crystal Shad" works great in my area of Falls Lake, North Carolina
Lipless Crankbaits: These baits are great for covering water and work well around grass or rocky areas. I've had great success with the color red in the pre-spawn season and usually start out with this one from Strike King called the "Red Eyed Shad"
Jigs: A jig and trailer combo mimics crawfish, a favorite pre-spawn meal for bass. Use a football jig for rocky bottoms and a flipping jig for cover. Jig fishing is one of my favorite types of fishing and my absolute favorite is by 6th. Sense. This is the Axel Swinging Swim Jig in the color "Green Pumpkin Gill" in 1/2oz. I'll add a trailer like a Tackle HD Texas Craw
Tackle HD Texas Craw
Spinnerbaits: Ideal for stained water, spinnerbaits create flash and vibration that trigger strikes.
I'm not much of a spinnerbait fisherman, but I've caught a fair amount of 3lbs. bass around docks with this one in white, Strike King double blade in "Bleeding Shad"
Water temperature dictates how fast bass react to lures. In colder waters, use a slow and methodical approach with longer pauses on jerkbaits or dragging jigs along the bottom. As temperatures rise, bass become more aggressive, allowing for faster retrieves with crankbaits and spinnerbaits.
Water Clarity: In clear water, opt for natural-colored lures like shad or crawfish patterns. In stained or muddy water, go for brighter colors like chartreuse or black and blue.
Weather Patterns: Cloudy, windy days can make bass more active, while bright, sunny days may push them into cover.
A quality fish finder helps locate bass by identifying depth changes, structure, and baitfish activity. Side imaging and down imaging can reveal bass staging areas, while water temperature readings help pinpoint the warmest zones.
Pre-spawn bass fishing can be unpredictable. If you're not getting bites, try:
Changing lure colors based on water clarity.
Adjusting retrieve speed from slow to fast.
Fishing different depths to find where bass are staging.
The pre-spawn is one of the best times to catch big bass. By understanding their behavior, locating key transition zones, and using the right lures and techniques, you can increase your chances of landing trophy fish. Stay patient, adapt to conditions, and enjoy one of the most exciting fishing seasons of the year!
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