| In early spring, when bass are moving from their | | | | lure longer. The jig/pig combo is hard to beat during |
| winter areas to staging areas and eventually to the | | | | the pre-spawn period but when the fish want |
| shallow flats, few presentations consistently produce | | | | something a little smaller I go with the next best |
| better than a crawfish imitating lure. The reason | | | | setup a Carolina rigged worm. This technique is very |
| these lures are so effective is the bass's fondness | | | | effective when they are staged on deeper structure |
| for the freshwater crawfish. Even though bass will | | | | and feeding on crawfish. I put on a rattler because it |
| eat crawfish through out the year, this predator/prey | | | | imitates the noise of the crawfish's pinchers, which |
| relationship is strongest in the early spring. | | | | attract bass. Dragging the lure whether it be a jig/pig |
| I believe that a bass's early season preference for | | | | combo or a worm across the bottom kickin up a lot |
| the crawfish is due to the important nutrients the | | | | of silt imitates a crawfish emerging from its winter |
| crawfish provides the pre-spawn bass and during this | | | | home. When a crawfish emerges from hibernation |
| cold-water period, the crawfish matches the low | | | | they're covered with mud, when they try to kick the |
| metabolic activity of the bass making it an ideal | | | | mud off it creates a disturbance, a cloud of dirt along |
| forage . | | | | the bottom that draws the attention of the bass. |
| Early spring the crawfish are in the deeper water just | | | | Spinnerbaits are considered to be one of the better |
| of flats. Bass move up from their cold water homes | | | | shad imitating lures of all time, however I find a large |
| and stage in the same area as the crawfish. As the | | | | spinnerbait that is properly dressed and fished also |
| cold shallow flats warm up both crawfish and bass | | | | imitates a fleeing crafish. The largest population of |
| become more active and move into the shallow | | | | crawfish is found on weed beds and timber filled flats |
| water. | | | | at the back of creeks. My go to spinnerbait is a 1 |
| It's my opinion that the jig out produces all other | | | | ounce black spinnerbait with a no. 7 or 8 Colorado |
| crawfish imitating lures during the pre-spawn period, | | | | blade with a black/blue trailer. |
| at when it comes to taking trophy bass. Some | | | | Like the slow rolled spinnerbait , a rattlin lipless |
| anglers limit the role of the jig/pig to flippin & | | | | crankbait worked over shallow flats is an effective |
| pitchin, but I have found that the lure is effective | | | | way to catch big bass in early spring. I've been using |
| when cast out and slowly dragged over deep | | | | a red lipless crankbait to catch big bass for years. I |
| structure. | | | | believe actively feeding bass are on the move |
| The water temperatures in early spring are lower and | | | | flushing crawfish and other forage from the |
| so the bass's metabolism has slowed down. And for | | | | grass-beds and shallows, that's why I think the red |
| this reason, I want a bait to fall slowly staying in the | | | | Rat-L-Trap crankbait is so effective in grassy areas |
| strike zone as long as possible. That's why I use the | | | | because it draws a reaction bite and because it thinks |
| jig/pig. In early spring I find it very important to | | | | it a crawfish fleeing the grassy area. |
| match the hatch and go with the lightest jig possible. | | | | The key to drawing the reaction bite with this lure is |
| I use a ¼ ounce jig. I use two color | | | | retrieving it so it stays in contact with the grass |
| combinations - a black/blue jig with a metal flake | | | | throughout the retrieve. You want to keep in touch |
| trailer and a green/pumpkin with a green/pumpkin | | | | with the grass and when the bait catches or snags |
| trailer. | | | | on the grass, you want to rip it free. The quick |
| The trailer gives the jig a natural appearance, The | | | | acceleration and pause mimics a craw fish fleeing |
| pinchers on the trailer move as the jig falls and | | | | danger. |
| dragged across the bottom. Also, a scented soft | | | | The key to catching Big Bass in early spring is |
| plastic trailer encourages the bass to hold onto the | | | | choosing a lure that accurately mimics the crawfish. |