Seasonal Patterns
Spring 
When the water temperature is cold in the spring, between 45 to 60 degrees, you want to use lures that are capable of drawing strikes when retrieved extremely slowly.  Bass are still generally lethargic and in my experience are best hunted down using Suspending Jerkbaits, Grubs & Worms on Lead Heads, and Jigging Spoons (Silver Buddy).

Lets talk about each one!
- Suspending Jerkbaits
A great choice in clear lakes with little or no wind. This is a sight bait and should "not" be used if the water is murky, stained, etc. The idea here  is to reel the lure down to the maximum depth then 'kill it" (stop reeling). Let the bait suspend motionless in the water column for up to a minute, possibly longer. Bass will strike it when it is dead still.   I personally love the Rapala X-Rap with the red feathers dangling on the tail/treble hook.  When jerking it, start with slack in the line and end with slack in the line. Be as erratic as possible when jerking and don't be afraid to stick the rod tip out in several directions. The strike may be very subtle, so pay attention.  Change your cadence and rod tip angle every once in a while if you are not getting bit.

- Grubs or Worms on a Lead Head
I like to use the Fat Albert , Kalin, and Bass Pro Shops grubs on a lead head jig that will just keep it on the bottom so you can feel what is down there.  Work the grub or worm in deeper water, focusing on submerged structure (rocks or logs), channels, a around a flat or a hump.

- Jigging Spoons
This is a great bait if you know the body of water and are very in-tune with your depth finder.   Its my opinion that once you've found them in the colder water situations this is when the Jigging Spoon, my favorite being a Silver Buddy, you can just lower it to the appropriate depth and vary the up and down jigging motion until you start getting bit.  What I mean by that is sometimes you just have to move the rod tip a little, and other times you really have to jerk the rod tip up to generate a strike.

By:
JD
Lunker USA (www.lunkerusa.com)

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