The Angler’s Guide to Spring: Soft Plastic Baits and Tackle Tips
The Ultimate Guide to Spring Fishing: Catching More with the Right Soft Plastics & Terminal Tackle
As the weather warms up and the water starts to thaw, it’s time to gear up for one of the best fishing seasons of the year—spring. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just starting to dip your line into the world of fishing, understanding the patterns of fish during the spring season is key to catching more. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best soft plastic lures, terminal tackle, and strategies to help you reel in more fish this spring. From spade tail worms to flipping jigs, we’ve got everything you need to make your next fishing trip a success.
Why Spring Fishing is So Special
Spring fishing is unique because it coincides with a time of increased fish activity. Fish are moving from deeper waters to shallower, warmer areas, often preparing to spawn. Bass, in particular, are most aggressive during this time of year as they become more territorial and hungrier. They’re actively seeking food to replenish energy spent during the colder months, making them more likely to bite. While they’re hungry and active, they can also be more selective about the bait they go after. Understanding the types of lures to use and how to present them can make all the difference in capitalizing on their heightened aggression.
The Best Soft Plastics for Spring Fishing
When spring rolls around, fish are keying in on specific types of prey. Depending on the species you're targeting, there’s a soft plastic bait for every situation. Let’s dive into some of the top choices:
Spade Tail Worms & Curl Tail Worms: A Springtime Favorite
While curl tail worms are often thought of as a summer staple, they’re also highly effective in early spring when bass are moving toward the shallows. These worms, along with spade tail worms, are a must-have for targeting bass during this active season. The action of the tails mimics the movement of small baitfish or earthworms—two of the bass’s favorite meals in the spring. Whether you’re using a Carolina rig or Texas rig, these worms are a reliable choice for triggering strikes from aggressive, hungry bass.
Pro Tip: In colder spring waters, try using a more natural color like Green Pumpkin Flash, Magic Craw or Black Sapphire. As the water warms up, switch to brighter colors like Luau, Envy or Watermelon Red Pearl to catch the fish’s eye.
Craws and Beaver Style Baits: Perfect for Shallow Water
As fish move into shallow waters to spawn, they tend to focus on crustaceans like crawfish and small baitfish. Commotion Craws and beaver-style baits such as the Bed Wrecker, are perfect choices for springtime fishing when fish are close to the bottom, hiding in structure like rocks, logs, and vegetation.
A Bed Wrecker (beaver-style bait) paired with a flipping jig is unbeatable when you’re fishing heavy cover. Use Black Sapphire or a Green Pumpkin color to match the natural hues of crawfish and other critters.
Pro Tip: For more aggressive action, try using a Commotion Craw on a football jig to bounce it along the bottom. Craws with flapping claws mimic the natural movement of a real crawfish and entice bass to strike.
Jerkbaits: For Early Spring Action
When water temperatures are still cooler, Jerkbaits like the Split Tail Shad from Big League Bait Company, are an excellent choice. Their erratic, twitching movement mimics an injured baitfish, enticing predatory fish to strike. A slow, deliberate retrieve is key to getting the most out of this lure, making it ideal for early spring fishing when fish are more lethargic but still eager to feed.
Pro Tip: Focus on a slow, twitching retrieve with the jerkbait, making sure to pause between twitches to simulate an injured baitfish.
Brush Hogs & Lizards: A Powerful Combo for Spring Bass
Brush Hogs and Lizards are essential soft plastics to use in the spring. Brush Hogs, such as the Battle Hawgs, are great for flipping into heavy cover and working through thick brush, while Lizards excel in shallow waters when bass are spawning. The Lizard’s realistic design mimics a wide range of prey, from small fish to amphibians, making it a great option when bass are looking for food during the spawn. Fish these soft plastics slowly along the bottom to entice strikes, especially in areas where bass are hiding near structure.
Pro Tip: Fish Battle Hawgs (brush hogs) and Lizards slowly along the bottom to imitate the natural movements of bass prey. Use a Texas rig for maximum effectiveness when fishing through cover.
Stickbaits: Versatile and Effective
Stickbaits, such as the popular Senko-style lures, are incredibly effective when fished on a wacky rig. Their natural, subtle movement can trigger strikes from bass, especially when worked slowly through the water. Stickbaits like the Boomstick, are excellent for targeting fish in a variety of spring conditions and are a must-have for your tackle box.
Pro Tip: For the best results, fish your Boomstick (stickbait or senko style bait) slowly and with subtle twitches to enhance its natural movement in the water column.
Terminal Tackle: Everything You Need for Spring Fishing
Having the right terminal tackle to complement your soft plastics can make a big difference in your success. Here are some of the top options for spring fishing:
The Carolina rig is a classic setup that excels in deeper, open water, making it a go-to during the spring transition period when fish are staging in these areas before moving into the shallows. Pair it with a worm or a creature bait for best results.
Pro Tip: When fishing with a Carolina rig in spring, make sure to adjust your leader length depending on water clarity. In clearer water, go for a longer leader, and in murkier conditions, keep it shorter.
The Texas rig is another staple in the spring, especially when you’re targeting bass in shallow, weedy areas. A Texas rig allows for easy presentations through cover, making it perfect for fishing around submerged structures like logs, rocks, and vegetation. Use it with a Boomstick or a creature bait for a natural presentation.
Pro Tip: For a more natural look, rig your soft plastics weightless to allow them to fall slower through the water column. This is especially effective in clear water when fish are more likely to be cautious.
Football Jigs & Flipping Jigs
When you’re targeting bass in deeper water or fishing around rocky structure, football jigs are your best friend. These jigs excel at bouncing along the bottom, mimicking crawfish or baitfish. Pair it with a craw-style soft plastic or even a beaver-style bait for added attraction.
Flipping jigs are ideal when fishing around heavy cover, and with a Green Pumpkin or a Black/Blue color, you can mimic the look of a crawfish hiding in the rocks.
Swim Jigs
Swim jigs are a fantastic choice for spring, especially when fish are active in the shallows. The subtle, lifelike movement of a swim jig paired with a soft plastic trailer (think grubs or paddle tail swim bait) is irresistible to bass during the spring.
Pro Tip: Try slow-rolling the swim jig through submerged vegetation or along the edges of drop-offs. The erratic action of the bait will trigger a strike from hungry bass looking to feed.
Best Color Combinations for Spring Fishing
Choosing the right color is critical in spring fishing. As the water warms up, bass and other predatory fish are more likely to be attracted to vibrant colors. That said, you also want to match the color of your soft plastics to the natural prey in your area.
- Green Pumpkin: A year-round favorite, this natural color mimics a variety of prey from crawfish to baitfish. Try Big League Bait Company’s Swamp Juice, Magic Craw or Pumpkin Spice.
- Black/Blue: A go-to for murky water or night fishing, black/blue is a contrast that stands out in low-visibility conditions.
- Chartreuse & Watermelon Red: Perfect for clearer waters and sunnier days, these colors grab fish’s attention and work great with jerkbaits and worms.
Spring Fishing Strategy
- Target Shallow, Warm Waters: As the water warms up, bass will move closer to the shore to feed and spawn. Look for areas with structure like rocks, submerged trees, and grass beds.
- Fish Slowly: Fish are often sluggish in the cooler temperatures, so a slow and deliberate retrieve is key. Give your lures time to sink and entice a strike.
- Use Multi-Rig Setups: Switching between rigs like Carolina rigs, Texas rigs, and football jigs will help you cover different types of water and fish at varying depths.
- Pay Attention to Water Clarity: In clearer water, go for more natural, subtle colors. In murkier water, use brighter, more attention-grabbing hues.
Gear Up for Spring Fishing!
Ready to make the most of spring fishing? The right soft plastics, terminal tackle, and fishing strategies will help you land more fish this season. Check out Big League Bait Company's full range of soft plastic lures, jigs, and tackle kits—designed to match the spring patterns and bring your fishing game to the next level.
Spring is here—let the big catches begin!