I am shore bound and looking for baits and techniques for this time of year. Last year, I didn't really start fishing until mid-March and used a Ned Rig exclusively through April. Last year, I picked up the Flick Shake in the fall and totally slayed bass on it. I currently have tubes, grubs and the aforementioned baits that I can utilize should the need arise. What would you do?

I throw everything in my tackle box and pray to god something sticks a fish. I've never had a consistent bait for this time of year. I'm sitting on the river right now after 3 and a half hours skunked so far

anything crawfish, lizards, worms. think slow. same goes for jerkbaits. i prefer warming trends but sometimes you gotta go when you can. catch one for me.

War eagle finesse spinnerbait worked for me saturday down here in Georgia.  Caught 10 bass on spinnerbaits and floating rapalas.

Wednesday will be my next chance, but there's no telling where I'll find fish. I may take the casting rod and spinnerbaits then. Thanks for the replies, can't wait to read more.

Past couple seasons if I'm not in the boat and walking around neighborhood ponds, I like the new strike king chatter bait style thingy!! Seems to do really well in newly emerging pads and out deep on points with a yo-yo type retrieve. When down in the pads, rip it free and twitch the crap out of it then let it fall on a tight line and repeat!!

Try jerkbaits not too big not too small. LC Pointer 78 is what I use this time of year. Jerk, jerk long pause........small twitch is the cadence I use this time of year. The hit usually comes on the small twitch. Don't forget the blade baits if not to weedy. Good luck. 

7 hours ago, Fishinthefish said:

I throw everything in my tackle box and pray to god something sticks a fish. I've never had a consistent bait for this time of year. I'm sitting on the river right now after 3 and a half hours skunked so far

You got to love this brutal honesty!!! Go get'em man!!!!

From shore I am hesitant to throw jerkbaits or anything that dives.

Jerkbaits are my first option right now. Water temps are ranging from the low to high 40's depending on what part of our lakes you're on. If you get back in a shallow area where the sun has been shining for a few hours, a spinnerbait is probably a good option. 

I fished a pond yesterday for about 20 minutes and did well with a dropshot, which I hate fishing, but it was the only way to stay out of the weeds. 

Lately I've done well with a wide wobble deep crank. Reel fast to get it down deep, then slow crank it. 

Not sure why they like it like that but it's the only thing that's caught anything for me so far this year. Even jigs and soft plastics have failed me 

deadsticking, wacky rig, texas rig, all work. I don't use topwater during winter. Articfcal worms that are a darker color are my prefered choice during the late winter

22 hours ago, lo n slo said:

anything crawfish, lizards, worms. think slow. same goes for jerkbaits. i prefer warming trends but sometimes you gotta go when you can. catch one for me.

Think sloooooow .  X2