The 3 Best Early Spring Bass Fishing Lures

Understanding Early Spring Bass Fishing Lures

As the weather warms and the days lengthen, early spring presents a prime opportunity for bass fishing, but it requires a shift in approach. Early season bass fishing typically spans pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn periods, where bass are still found in relatively shallow waters—usually less than nine feet deep. This is well before they transition to their summer deep-water haunts. During this time, bass are on the move: some are migrating from deep water to shallower areas to spawn, while others, having completed their spawning, are staging along the first break line near deeper water.

Understanding these seasonal movements is critical for selecting the right lures and techniques, as bass behavior can vary greatly based on water temperatures. The key to success during this period lies in knowing when and where bass are likely to be and choosing the right lures to match their activity.

Water Temperature is Your Best Guide for Lure Selection

The early spring bass fishing period can extend from early April through late June, depending on your fishing location. During this time, water temperatures range from a chilly 45°F in the early season, rising to around 65-70°F by post-spawn. Instead of relying on the calendar, it’s essential to let the water temperature dictate which lures to use. As bass behavior is heavily influenced by temperature, understanding these shifts can help you match the right bait to the conditions and increase your chances of landing a catch.

Early Spring Lures

Three lures for bass: a rattle bait, strike king swim jig, and a lucky craft pointer. — *LVR D7 rattle bait, Strike King Swim Jig, and Lucky Craft Pointer suspending minnow are three must have lures for spring bass.*

When it comes to early spring bass fishing, having the right arsenal is crucial. Over the years, I’ve found that three lures consistently produce great results: the Lucky Craft LVR-D7 (lipless rattle bait), the Strike King Swim Jig with a Zoom twin-tail trailer, and the Lucky Craft Pointer suspending minnow. These versatile lures have proven themselves in various conditions, and I always have them ready to go. Whether you’re fishing in clear water or slightly stained, these baits have produced for me in just about every location, and they’re the first ones I reach for when I hit the water.

Each of these lures offers unique advantages depending on the water temperature and conditions, and they are versatile enough to cover a wide range of bass movements. With these three baits on hand, you’ll be ready for any situation early in the bass fishing season.

Lipless Rattle Bait

The lipless rattle bait, especially the Lucky Craft LVR-D7, is one of the most effective lures for targeting bass in the early spring, particularly when water temperatures are still on the cooler side. Over the years, I’ve developed a system for selecting lures based on water temperature, and the LVR-D7 consistently delivers results when fishing in the 45-50 degree range, a key window for early season bass.

Angler posing with a largemouth bass caught with a rattle bait - one of the three best lures for bass. — *Burnie Haney shows nice largemouth taken with LVR D7 rattle bait.*

Why Choose a Lipless Rattle Bait?

The lipless rattle bait is unparalleled in its ability to attract bass, especially in shallow water flats, where bass are actively feeding and roaming in search of food. Its primary attraction lies in the vibration and noise it generates as it moves through the water. This sound and vibration can travel significant distances—up to 20-25 yards—making it a great tool for drawing bass in from a long way away. When bass are still in their pre-spawn or post-spawn stages, they are often quite active and responsive to the presence of this loud, attention-grabbing bait.

Although there are many different brands, models, and sizes of lipless rattle baits on the market, the Lucky Craft LVR-D7 stands out for its consistent reliability and performance. The unique shape and design of the LVR-D7 help it to sink and create a distinctive “rattle” that mimics the sound of distressed prey, drawing bass in even from deeper water. It works particularly well when bass are still moving between deep and shallow waters as they adjust to the changing temperatures.

Setting Up for Success with a Rattle Bait

To get the most out of your rattle bait, it’s important to pair it with the right gear. I recommend using a Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) FWC 704-1, a 7-foot medium action rod that offers the perfect balance of sensitivity and power for working with rattle baits. When paired with a US Reel 810 baitcasting reel and spooled with 12 lb Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon line, you have the right setup for both casting distance and accurate, controlled retrieval.

The fluorocarbon line is essential, as it offers minimal visibility underwater and maintains the integrity of your presentation. Fluorocarbon’s low stretch also helps with sensitivity, allowing you to feel even the subtlest of strikes and vibrations. A steady retrieve is key when fishing a rattle bait, though the depth you’re targeting may require some variation. In shallower waters, I may begin the retrieve immediately after the bait hits the water, while in deeper water, I will count it down for a second or two before starting the retrieve.

How to Fish the Lipless Rattle Bait Effectively

When fishing the LVR-D7, my primary goal is to keep the bait slightly above any available vegetation or structures that may be present on the bottom. Often, I fish it over submerged grass beds or along the edge of drop-offs where bass tend to hang out in early spring. As the rattle bait comes in contact with any obstacles—whether that be vegetation or structure—I simply pop the rod to dislodge the bait, creating a small jarring movement that simulates the bait’s distressed state. After the pop, I continue the retrieve, allowing the bait to glide and create another rattle.

In the early spring, bass are often quite responsive to the steady retrieve of the rattle bait. The vibration and sound waves are enough to entice strikes, even without the jarring movements of popping the rod. During these months, bass are generally more aggressive due to their pre-spawn or post-spawn hunger, making it easier to elicit strikes from them. If you happen to be fishing in slightly stained water, such as after a spring runoff, the rattle bait’s ability to generate noise and vibrations makes it an even better option.

Choosing the Right Colors and Sizes for Rattle Baits

Color selection plays an important role in your success with lipless rattle baits. In clearer waters, I have had great success with the Red (Mad Craw) and American Shad colors. The red color, in particular, seems to attract bass in the spring, possibly due to its resemblance to a crawfish or other seasonal prey. In murkier water, I’ll often go for darker, more contrasting colors that will stand out against the dirtier background.

In terms of size, I find the LVR-D7’s mid-range sizes (typically 1/2 oz to 3/4 oz) to be most effective for early spring bass. These sizes are versatile enough to be fished in a variety of depths and situations, from shallow flats to deeper channels.

Maximizing Your Fishing Strategy

Lipless rattle baits are particularly effective in the early season, but they require careful attention to retrieve style and presentation. Whether you’re fishing around vegetation, drop-offs, or in areas with stained water, a lipless rattle bait should be one of your top choices in early spring. As the water temperatures rise and bass become more active, this bait will continue to draw fish in from a distance, helping you land both largemouth and smallmouth bass with ease.

If you haven’t used a rattle bait yet, I highly recommend giving it a shot this season. With the right setup, cadence, and attention to the conditions, this simple yet powerful tool will make your early spring fishing more productive than ever.

Lucky Craft Pointer

As the water temperatures climb into the 55-60 degree range, the Lucky Craft Pointer truly shines. This suspending minnow-style bait is a must-have for early spring bass fishing, especially when targeting roaming fish in search of food. The Lucky Craft Pointer’s lifelike action, combined with its ability to stay suspended at the desired depth, makes it incredibly effective for bass that are actively feeding but not quite committed to a deep-water feeding frenzy.

Why the Lucky Craft Pointer Works

The Lucky Craft Pointer is designed to mimic a struggling baitfish, and this characteristic is what makes it so attractive to bass during the spring months. As water temperatures rise, bass become more active and begin moving towards shallower areas, hunting for easy meals. The Pointer excels at simulating wounded baitfish or those in distress, triggering the bass’s predatory instincts.

What makes this lure even more versatile is its ability to be fished at different depths. You can adjust the retrieve to target bass in various zones—from just beneath the surface to a few feet down—making it a great tool when fish are moving through different water layers.

Optimal Setup for Fishing the Lucky Craft Pointer

The Lucky Craft Pointer works best on the same rod and reel combo that I use for other early spring lures, such as the Strike King Swim Jig and LVR D7 Rattle Bait:

A Temple Fork Outfitters FWC 704-1 7-foot medium action rod
US Reel 810 baitcasting reel
12 lb Bass Pro Shops XPS fluorocarbon line

This combination offers the right balance of sensitivity and power for working the Pointer. The medium action rod helps impart the necessary jerks to the bait, while the fluorocarbon line provides less visibility underwater, ensuring a more natural presentation.

How to Fish the Lucky Craft Pointer

Fishing the Lucky Craft Pointer requires a jerk-pause retrieve, which mimics the erratic movements of a distressed baitfish. Here’s the technique that has worked best for me:

Cast the Pointer out and allow it to sink a bit, depending on the depth you’re targeting.
Crank the reel handle 3-4 turns to get the lure down to the desired depth.
Begin a jerk-pause-jerk-jerk-pause cadence, and repeat. The key here is making sure you pause for just the right amount of time. In general, 5-8 seconds is a good starting point.
On the pause, let the lure sit completely still in the water. It’s during this time that bass are most likely to strike. Occasionally, I’ve found that extending the pause period a little longer, up to 10 seconds, can make all the difference in triggering a bite.

Pay Attention to Cadence and Conditions

The most important thing to keep in mind when fishing the Lucky Craft Pointer is the cadence. The fish will tell you how fast to work the lure. If you’re not getting strikes after several jerks and pauses, it might be worth slowing down the cadence or lengthening the pauses. Sometimes, bass are more willing to chase a bait when it moves slowly, and other times they’ll hit harder when it moves erratically. Pay attention to the water conditions, and let the fish dictate how you work the bait.

If the water is particularly clear, the Lucky Craft Pointer’s subtle action can be incredibly effective, allowing the bass to see the bait from a distance. In murkier waters, consider using a slightly more aggressive cadence to make the bait more noticeable.

The Lucky Craft Pointer in Action

As the water warms up and bass start transitioning to shallow areas in search of food, the Lucky Craft Pointer should be one of your primary lures. Its ability to stay suspended at various depths and its realistic action will make it an invaluable tool when targeting those roaming fish that are actively feeding in the shallows or moving between staging areas. Whether you’re fishing near rocks, drop-offs, or weed lines, this suspending minnow will effectively attract bass and trigger strikes.

Strike King Swim Jig

Man posing with a bass caught with a swim jig. — *Burnie Haney works a Swim Jig effectively for this 6 lb. bass.*

How to Fish the Strike King Swim Jig

Fishing the Strike King Swim Jig requires a steady, consistent retrieve. The key to success is maintaining a constant speed to mimic a fish or crawfish swimming through the water. The jig should be reeled at a pace that keeps it just above the bottom, or occasionally bouncing it off the surface of submerged vegetation. The thin weed guard allows the swim jig to glide through vegetation with ease, preventing hang-ups and allowing for smooth retrieves.

Unlike the rattle bait, the swim jig doesn’t rely on strong vibrations to attract bass; instead, its subtle movement and realistic presentation work to draw fish in. When you reel in the swim jig, the twin-tail trailer will emit a natural, lifelike action that bass can’t resist. This steady retrieve mimics prey as it swims naturally, making it an ideal choice when bass are roaming in shallow or moderately deep areas in search of food.

Setting the Hook on a Swim Jig Strike

When a bass strikes, resist the temptation to set the hook immediately. It’s tempting to react quickly, but I’ve learned that waiting for a brief two-count—just long enough for the bass to fully take the bait—is crucial. By waiting a moment before setting the hook, you allow the bass to fully commit to the bait, which increases your hook-up ratio significantly.

Once you’ve counted to two, reel down and set the hook with authority. A good hook set ensures the barb penetrates deeply enough to secure the fish, especially when the bass are holding in thick vegetation or around other obstacles. If you follow this technique, you’ll notice a significant improvement in your strike-to-hook-up ratio, resulting in more successful landings.

Choosing the Right Colors for Swim Jigs

The Strike King Swim Jig is available in a wide range of colors, and selecting the right one can make all the difference. For clear water, natural colors like green pumpkin and crawfish patterns tend to work best, as they closely resemble the bass’s natural prey. In murkier water, I prefer black and blue or other darker colors that offer greater visibility and contrast in the water.

When fishing in shallow water or near vegetation, I often use the 3/8 oz model for lighter, more delicate presentations. For deeper water or when I need to get through thicker cover, I opt for the 1/2 oz model, which provides a bit more weight and allows me to reach the desired depth more quickly.

The Strike King Swim Jig in Action

Overall, the Strike King Swim Jig is an incredibly versatile and effective tool for early spring bass fishing. Whether you’re fishing in clear water or stained water, around submerged vegetation or over rocky structures, this lure can handle it all. By maintaining a steady retrieve, carefully watching your cadence, and making sure to set the hook with precision, you can significantly increase your chances of landing bass during the critical pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn periods.

Bait Selections for Early Spring Bass Fishing

When it comes to selecting the right baits, understanding the conditions is key. Clear water and varying weather conditions each require a different approach, and choosing the right color and size for your lures can make a significant difference in your success. Here are my top picks for different fishing conditions during early spring bass fishing:

Clear Water Conditions

In clear water, bass are more likely to see the bait from a distance, so choosing lures that offer high visibility and realistic presentation is crucial. Here are my preferred bait selections for clear water:

Rattle Bait: Red (Mad Craw) and American Shad
The red rattle bait (Mad Craw) is by far my first choice when fishing clear waters. There’s just something about the color red in the spring that bass can’t resist. Whether it’s the vivid color mimicking a crawfish or the aggressiveness of the bite, the red rattle bait has consistently proven effective. Following that, the American Shad pattern is another winner. It closely mimics one of the bass’s primary food sources and works great when fish are targeting shad in the spring. I’ve had bass crush this color repeatedly.
Pointer Minnow: Golden Shiner, Aurora Black, and Chartreuse Root Beer
When selecting a Pointer Minnow, my go-to choices are Golden Shiner and Aurora Black. These colors do an excellent job of replicating baitfish in clear water. However, on certain days, I like to throw in a Chartreuse Root Beer color, which is a bit bolder but has proven effective in enticing bass in varying conditions. The subtle flash and natural colors of these baits make them ideal for clear water situations where bass can closely inspect the lure before committing.

Partly Cloudy and Bright Sunny Conditions

Weather plays a significant role in bass behavior, especially when it comes to lure color selection. Different lighting conditions can make certain hues stand out more, so adapting to the weather will improve your chances.

Partly Cloudy Conditions:
When the skies are partly cloudy, bass tend to be more aggressive, and a black-blue jig with a blue sapphire trailer works perfectly. This color combination stands out in the mid-light conditions, providing just enough contrast to attract fish without being too flashy.
Bright Sunny Conditions:
Under bright sunny skies, I go with a green pumpkin jig with a green pumpkin trailer. The natural, muted tones mimic forage in clear water and provide a realistic presentation that bass find hard to resist when they’re feeding shallow in bright light.

Swim Jig: Weight and Size Considerations

The weight of your Strike King Swim Jig can affect how deep it reaches in the water column. For fishing in shallow water (less than five feet), I prefer the 3/8 oz model. It allows for a slow, steady retrieve just above the bottom, which is perfect when bass are near structure or vegetation. When fishing in deeper water, I step up to the 1/2 oz model. This heavier jig reaches the desired depth more quickly, allowing me to target bass that might be staging on deeper break lines or suspended in mid-water.

Tried-and-True Baits for Early Spring Bass Fishing

In today’s fishing market, there are countless lures and baits to choose from. However, through years of experience, I’ve found that there are a few lures that consistently deliver results for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The Lucky Craft LVR-D7, Strike King Swim Jig, and Lucky Craft Pointer Minnow have earned their place in my tackle box because they consistently catch bass, regardless of location or fishing conditions.

Each of these baits offers versatility, durability, and proven performance during early spring when bass are most active. I highly recommend giving these lures a try—whether you’re fishing in clear water or slightly stained conditions. I’m confident you’ll quickly become a believer in their effectiveness.

Practice Selective Harvest

Finally, as you head out to target bass, remember the importance of selective harvest. There’s nothing wrong with keeping a few fish for a meal, but always release the rest to ensure that future generations of bass are available for anglers to enjoy. By practicing responsible fishing, we can help preserve healthy fish populations and maintain great fishing experiences for years to come.

Original Article By Burnie Haney

About The Author

Burnie Haney is the Garrison Chief of Operations at Fort Drum NY, Chairman of the Jefferson County Sport Fish Advisory Board, B.A.S.S. Life Member, Public Relations Officer and Sponsor Product Coordinator for the NY BASS Chapter Federation. He is a member FLW and Pro Staff member for Bass Pro Shops Nitro Boats, US Reel, Temple Fork Outfitter Rods, Lucky Craft Lures and VRX Fishing Products. Haney holds three National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame Line Class World Records (carp, steelhead, Chinook salmon) and one IGFA NY State Line Class Record (walleye). Get in touch with Burnie at burniehaney.com.