April is a great month to fish for bass. The water temperature has begun to rise, and the fish have started to move more and feed more. Make sure you have the best baits in your tacklebox if you want to catch big bass this spring. Here are the top bass baits to use in April.
1. Jerkbaits
Early spring, when the water temperature is still cool, jerkbaits are highly effective. These lures can trigger even the most sluggish bass to strike. They mimic the erratic movement of injured prey. Use a suspending, natural-colored jerkbait like shad or crab.
2. Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits can be fished a number of different ways. Try slow-rolling spinnerbaits along weedlines or other structures where bass may be holding in the spring. These lures can also be effective in murky or stained water because the blades create a flash and vibration that attracts fish.
3. Crankbaits
Crankbaits make a great choice for bass fishing in the early spring. These lures cover a lot of water quickly, and you can fish them at different depths if you vary your retrieve speed. Look for colors that mimic baitfish and target areas with submerged vegetation, or rocky structures.
4. Swimbaits
Swimbaits can be deadly for big bass. They look realistic and are very effective. These lures are versatile and can be fished quickly or slowly, depending on conditions. They can also imitate different prey species. Use a soft-plastic swimbait of a natural colour and fish it near weedbeds or drop-offs.
5. Jigs
Jigs can be used all year round to catch bass. Try using a jig with a soft-plastic trailer in the spring and fishing it along the bottom. Jigs work in clear or stained water, and can be used for both smallmouth and largermouth bass.
6. Topwater Baits
Topwater lures are some of the most exciting lures for bass fishing. These baits can create a commotion at the surface, which can trigger aggressive strikes from fish. Look for topwater lures that mimic frogs or mice or other terrestrial prey. Fish them around weedbeds or lilypads or other areas of cover.
7. Tubes
Tubes can be used in many different ways to catch both largemouth and smallmouth bass. Try fishing a tube near weed edges, or any other structure where you may find bass feeding. Tubes are also effective when fished with a Carolina rig or drop shot rig.
8. Flukes
Flukes are soft, plastic baits. They can be fished with or without a weight to give a more controlled presentation. These baits can also be rigged without weeds and fished around cover such as docks, trees or laydowns. Flukes are a great imitation of baitfish, and they can be very effective in clear waters or when bass feed on suspended forage.
9. Creature Baits
Soft plastic lures that imitate crawfish and other crustaceans are called creature baits. These baits are best fished with a Texas rig or Carolina rig or jighead around rocky structures or other areas that bass may be holding. When fished around vegetation and other cover, creature baits can also be effective.
10. Ned Rig Baits
The Ned rig uses a soft plastic bait and a small jighead to target finicky basses. The Ned rig lures are small and can mimic a variety prey including crawfishes, worms and baitfish. These baits are best fished slowly, methodically and along the bottom. They are most effective when the water temperature is still cool.
11. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits can be used as topwater lures to imitate various prey including frogs or small baitfish. These lures can be effective when fished near cover such as weeds or lilypads. They can create a disturbance on the surface that is irresistible for bass. Use a buzzbait with bright colors such as chartreuse or whit.
12. Chatterbaits
Chatterbaits, a relatively recent lure, have quickly gained popularity among bass anglers. These lures have a blade which creates vibrations and flashes, which can attract bass from a distance. Chatterbaits are useful for fishing in open water or around cover. They can imitate baitfish, crawfish, and other prey.
13. Swim Jigs
Swim jigs can be fished a number of different ways to catch bass. These lures have a weedless body and a skirt of silicone or rubber. Swim jigs are best fished around vegetation submerged in water, bridge pilings or other areas that bass may hold.
14. Finesse Worms
Finesse worms, also known as small plastic baits, can be fished using a drop shot rig or shaky heads, among other finesse techniques. These baits mimic small worms and other invertebrates which bass may feed on in the spring. Finesse worms are particularly effective in clear water and when fish are finicky.
15. Popper Baits
Popper baits, also known as topwater lures, make a popping noise when they are retrieved. These baits are effective whether they are fished in open water or around cover. They can also be used when bass are feeding off surface insects or other prey. Use a popper lure in darker colors such as black or blue.
16. Hair Jigs
Hair jigs can be fished in a variety of ways for bass. These lures have a natural or synthetic skirt, and can be used in open water or around cover. Hair jigs are particularly effective when fish feed on shad and other baitfish.
17. Lipless Crankbaits
Lipless crankbaits can be used in many different ways to catch bass. These lures can imitate shads or other baitfish, and can be fished in different depths using a variety of retrieve speeds. Lipless crankbaits work best in the early spring, when water temperatures are still cold.
18. Blade Baits
Blade baits can be fished a number of different ways to catch bass. These lures have a metal blade which vibrates and flashes as it is retrieved. This can attract fish at a distance. Blade baits are particularly effective in murky or stained water, or when fish are actively feeding.
19. Creature Jigs
The creature jig is a variation on the classic jig. It has a skirt of silicone or rubber and a weedless jig. These baits can be used to imitate crawfish and other crustaceans. They can be fished near rocks or other structures where bass may be feeding. When fished around weeds and other cover, creature jigs are also effective.
20. Stickbaits
Stickbaits can be fished a variety of different ways to catch both smallmouth and bigmouth bass. These lures can either be rigged without weight and fished at the surface or with a weight for a controlled presentation. Stickbaits are effective at imitating a wide variety of prey, and can be particularly effective when fish feed on small baitfishes or insects.
21. Flipping Jigs
Flipping jigs, also known as heavy jigs, are designed to be fished in heavy cover such as weeds and brush piles. These large jigs are designed to imitate crawfish and other forage. They can be slowly fished along the bottom. Flipping jigs can be very effective when fish are confined to cover and will not come out to chase smaller baits.
22. Drop Shot Baits
Drop shot baits can be used as a finesse technique to target smallmouth and largemouth basses. These baits can be fished with a small hook above a weight to imitate different prey species. Drop shot baits are best fished slowly, methodically and along the bottom. They can be particularly effective in clear waters.
23. Split Shot Baits
Split shot rigs can also be used in the spring to target finicky basses. These rigs are made up of a small hook or soft plastic bait tied above a weighted split shot. Split shot baits are most effective when fished slowly, methodically and along the bottom.
24. Carolina Rigs
Carolina rigs can be used for a variety soft plastic lures. These rigs have a bullet-weight and a bead attached above a swivel. A leader is then tied below the swivel with the bait at the end. Carolina rigs are effective for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. They can be fished near weed edges and other structures.
25. Texas Rigs
Texas rigs can be used with a variety soft plastic baits to catch bass. The rig consists of a bullet-weight and a weedless hook, with the bait being threaded on the hook. Texas rigs are fished along the bottom, or bumped up against weeds and other cover.
26. Punch Rigs
Punch rigs, also known as heavy mats or vegetation, are a special setup designed to be used around thick cover. These rigs have a heavy hook and a heavy weight tied weedless. A bait is then threaded on the hook. Punch rigs are fished along the bottom, or through the cover.
27. Worm Jigs
Worm jigs, a variation on the classic jig, feature a soft-plastic worm or another bait threaded to the hook. This setup can either be fished slowly on the bottom, or with a hopping retrieval to imitate a fleeing predator. Worm jigs work well when fish are huddled in cover and are not willing to move to chase a bait that moves faster.
28. Frog Baits
Frog baits can be used as a topwater lure to imitate a terrestrial prey or frog. These lures can be fished around weedbeds or lilypads, as well as other areas of cover. They can create a realistic appearance that can trigger even the most wary of bass to strike. Frog baits can also be effective when fished with a slow, popping retrieval.
29. Buzzbaits
Buzzbaits can be used as a topwater bait to imitate prey such as frogs or mice. These lures create a commotion that can attract fish at a distance. They are especially effective near weedbeds, lilypads, and other areas with cover.
30. Rat Baits
Rat baits can be used as a topwater lure to imitate a swimming rodent or other terrestrial prey species. These lures are best fished in areas with cover, such as weedbeds, lilypads, or other weedy areas. They can create a realistic presentation, which can trigger even the most wary of bass to strike. When fished with a slow and steady retrieve, rat baits can also be effective.
Conclusion
In April, the bass start to feed more and move into their spring patterns. You can increase your chances to catch big bass by having the right baits available in your tackle box. This list has a bait for everyone, whether you prefer aggressive or finesse presentations. Get your gear ready, and then head out to the waters to try some of these best baits for bass in April.