Baits for Early Spring: Part 3

By Chris Erwin

This is the third and final installment of baits for early spring and we will look again at a bait that’s sure to be a hit as spring begins to blossom in the area.

Temperatures are on the rise, and it won’t be long until the water reaches that magic temperature of 50 degrees. This is when the bass really starts to wake up from their winter slumber and get active.

The baits that we have covered in the last two weeks – jerkbaits and crankbaits – are going to take their share of fish. Others, like spinnerbaits, will also on any given day produce good results.

For the purpose of this series, we have tried to cover baits that have a track record of producing even when water temperatures are below 50 degrees. In that vein, there is one more bait that needs to be added to that list of hot spring baits: the jig.

This bait has more variations than the spots on my Dalmatian dog, and all of them have their place and time where they shine. But for early spring Bass, the 3/8 to ½ oz skirted jig dressed with living rubber legs and some kind of kicker, has proven to be a killer bait as the water begins to creep into the low 50’s.

While experienced anglers are familiar with most jigs on the market today, Stanley Jigs has come out with one that many of you may not know about.  Coined the “Wedge Head” jig, this new bait doesn’t have a cast in lead hook. Instead, it has a wedge-shaped body with a wire core. An O-ring that attaches a hook in the rear can be changed if a smaller or larger size is needed. The bait has been designed to be used in the heavy cover and its skirts can be changed along with almost any kind of kicker you want to add. The lead body comes in ¼ to 1¼ oz, along with a full line of colors. Stanley has put many hours of prototyping into this bait and the technique they developed is called “Sledn.” This is a method of sliding and swimming this bait into areas that most bait can’t be fished without getting snagged.

I was lucky enough to be one of the people that Stanley sent this bait to for testing, and I can tell you I have since bought a basket full of them.

Where to fish this bait in early spring?  While jerkbaits and lipless crankbaits can be fished in many areas where early Bass may be active, the jig can go to all the places that most other baits can’t be fished without hanging up. I’m talking about heavy brush, log jams, and heavy weeds. This bait can be fished very slow, keeping it in the strike zone for a long time when fish are timid and still slow in cold but warming water.

Most anglers who fish jigs use a lift and drop presentation. This works fine with this bait. However, I have found the “sledn” technique is more about sliding the bait over structures while keeping the rod tip up and shaking the bait as you glide it along a road bed or break or  sliding it over logs and letting it glide to the bottom. It’s a new twist to an old concept and one you should give a try.

Just a reminder your new 2012 fishing licenses are needed as you head out to catch a big one this spring.

Until next time,

good fishing!

Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in the Greater Ashland Beacon.