Early Spring Lures for Northeast Bass

[CT_Bass55]

Hi All - 

 

Great reading all the knowledge on the boards here. Was curious for advice/recommendations on early Spring bass lures. 

 

I plan to utilize some jerkbaits, spinners, lipless cranks, jig/pigs and my usual soft plstics, but was curious what your go-to lures are for April/early May in the Northeast when the water's 40-50 degrees. 

 

Thanks for any input. 

[Muddy wolf]

I’m in the Midwest but I use most of the lures you listed plus neds and 8 to 12 in worms on a heavy extra strong hook for a little extra weight. 

[Smokinal]

Can't beat a jerkbait in water under 50.  A blk/blue Rage Space Monkey on a jighead has been good to me too.

Getting close to 50 and from 50-60, a red trap starts to work well and spinnerbaits start to shine.

[GioFromNJ]

I use a fluke on a heavy hook- or a lighter hook with a screw in and lip hook it. 

[CHIP-MAINE]

do really well with #4 mepps in silver or gold blade and yellow or white hair. later in year i go to a #5 size

[James Engle]

I’m still learning a lot going into my 3rd season fishing competitively , so I’m no expert but this is what’s been working for me.

 

Up in southern Maine, Suspending jerkbaits , shallow and deep. If they aren’t biting I’ll soak it , like get it in strike zone and smoke a cigarette and snap it . Brutally slow is sometimes the most effective.   I look for spots holding timber against steep bank lines , or ditches with vegation on both sides /  not a lot of big rocks or anything else where I’m fishing so I stick to wood and vegetation, or a cut with gravel . 
 

I usually start seeing fish in shallow weedy areas when the water gets up over 45 and the suns out, sunny side of the bank and some wood , finding slick water in coves on a windy day or those spots where the grass is still green  & figuring out where the warmest areas closest to their winter spots. I’ve been doing well with ecopro tungsten swingshads on owner screw lock size 4/0 w/ 3/32oz belly hook. Haven’t been able to get on a bladed jig bite , lipless or spinner baits yet but those are coming out tomorrow. 
Also got a few cranking shallow a couple weeks ago. 
 

For me, when the water is low 40’s - finding the fish isn’t too hard, it’s gettin em to bite where I struggle. 
Any other time of the year I can usually pick em off with a dropshot and some power bait or a wacky rigged senko . But lately I won’t even get a sniff and if I drop it directly on em they’ll spook. Reactionary baits that I can let dwell in a strike zone are where i have most confidence  .    

[CT_Bass55]

Thanks all for your insights - great stuff and much appreciated. 

[EWREX]

jerkbait, lipless crankbait, wiggle wart, & hair jig have all been working here in CT ?

[CT_Bass55]

Do you use a trailer with the jig?

[EWREX]

43 minutes ago, CT_Bass55 said:

Do you use a trailer with the jig?

i do not use a trailer on a hair jig

[je1946]

Blade baits, hair jigs, jerkbaits, jigs, ned and neko rigs, senkos