SPRING BASS FISHING ON MY MIND

 BASS FISHING ON MY MIND -- WHEN SPRING COMES

By Del Albright

As winter starts to leave us, I start thinking about spring bass fishing because it is my favorite time to be on the lake. Yes, we hit the water in the fall, but it's not the same. The spring bite is a blast as bass head to shore to spawn. Wacky worms are the trick for local lakes.  And we mostly catch and release the bass we catch because we like to catch them again!

Spring is prime time for bass fishing in Northern California, as warming water temperatures trigger bass to move into pre-spawn and spawn modes. Here’s what you need to know for a successful trip:

Best Northern California Lakes for Spring Bass Fishing

1. Clear Lake – One of the top bass fisheries in the country, with big largemouth bass moving into shallow water.
2. Lake Berryessa – Great for both largemouth and smallmouth bass, with clear water and submerged structures.
3. New Melones Reservoir – Excellent spotted bass fishing in spring.
4. Lake Shasta – Offers a mix of largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass.
5. Don Pedro Reservoir – Known for trophy-sized bass.
6. Folsom Lake – Ideal for early-season bass in shallow coves.

Springtime Bass Fishing Tips

• Target Shallow Water: As water temps hit the 55-65°F range, bass move to shallow flats, coves, and creek arms.
• Look for Structure: Stumps, rock piles, docks, and submerged vegetation hold bass preparing to spawn.
• Use Natural Colors: In clear water, go with green pumpkin, watermelon, or shad-colored baits. In murky water, chartreuse and black/blue work well.
• Adjust to the Weather: Sunny days push bass shallow, while cooler weather may send them slightly deeper.

Best Lures & Gear for Spring Bass Fishing

1. Jigs (3/8 - 1/2 oz.) – Football head or flipping jigs in craw or natural colors work well around cover.
2. Spinnerbaits – Great for covering water quickly in windy conditions.
3. Chatterbaits – Effective in stained water with aggressive bass.
4. Soft Plastics (Senko, Brush Hog, Creature Baits) – Excellent for pitching into beds.
5. Jerkbaits (Suspending models) – Mimic wounded baitfish and trigger bites in early spring.
6. Crankbaits (Medium diving 6-10 ft.) – Ideal for pre-spawn bass staging on deeper structure.
7. Topwater (Frogs, Poppers, Buzzbaits) – Start using these as water temps rise above 60°F.

Essential Gear

• Rod/Reel Setup:
  • Medium-heavy baitcasting setup (7’0” rod, 6.4:1 gear ratio reel) for jigs and spinnerbaits.
  • Medium spinning rod for finesse techniques (drop-shot, wacky rig, Ned rig).
• Fluorocarbon Line (12-17 lb.) – Best for clear water and bottom-contact baits.
• Braid (30-50 lb.) – Good for fishing around heavy cover.
• Polarized Sunglasses – Helps spot bass in shallow, clear water.

I hope you will just get out there and FISH!  

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