I recently moved from Colorado to Georgia and this is my first season doing any bass fishing.  I've been having some success with spinnerbaits and I want to start trying out some soft-baits.  The size variations are kind of confusing to me though, some of these baits range from 3" to 12" in length.  I've read somewhere that you want to use smaller baits early in the season, is there a reason for this? What do you guys normally take into consideration when deciding what size soft bait to use? 

If I'm fishing before the baitfish spawn (baby bluegills and perch) have moved into open water - I'll use larger baits as the bass are chasing LAST years spawn which has grown.

The theory is that the forage is smaller early in the year and will get bigger as the season progresses so if you are trying to match the forage, start the year small. That thinking may or not be true. The only general rule I use when choosing the size of my baits is that smaller baits will get more bites. You may not get as many bites on larger baits, but they often get the bigger fish. 

My suggestion if you're just getting started, and what I use most often, is a creature, beaver or craw style bait in the 4" ballpark on a 3/0 or 4/0 hook.  I prefer EWG but that's a whole new topic.  You can drag, dead stick, swim, pitch and flip, etc.  Very versatile and most can be reused as a trailer.  I'd also consider a couple packs of 6" ribbon tail worms and 5" stick worm/senko style bait.

When I first started there was an old axiom that I never forgot....

Colder...Smaller and slower 

Hotter...Bigger and faster 

 

It’s not an absolute of course, but it’s a good way to start and go from there. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

8 minutes ago, Mike L said:

When I first started there was an old axiom that I never forgot....

Colder...Smaller and slower 

Hotter...Bigger and faster 

 

It’s not an absolute of course, but it’s a good way to start and go from there. 
 

 

 

 

Mike

I would agree, with 1 exception. During the winter here in So. Cali, we used to have regular trout plants, that was the time for the Big swimbaits to come out and play. For most of the country, Mike L is spot on.

Welcome to bass fishing.

You say spinnerbaits have worked OK, just curious what type of tackle are you using...spinning or baitcasting?

Tom

13 minutes ago, WRB said:

Welcome to bass fishing.

You say spinnerbaits have worked OK, just curious what type of tackle are you using...spinning or baitcasting?

Tom

Honeslty, I'm still using my trout set up from when I lived in CO.  I use a spinning reel (6:2:1) with 6# line. I've been meaning to look into what's best to use for bass, but just haven't got that far yet. 

I would start with a 4” or 5” soft stick bait (Senko) rigged weightless either Texas on 3/0 ewg or wacky on a 1/0 Neko hook, and a creature or craw bait in that 4” range with a 3/8 tungsten bullet weight and 4/0 ewg. For colors I would pick green pumpkin for clearer water and black/blue for dirty water.  Good luck.  

Bass anglers like me tend to assume when you use a spinnerbait you have bass tackle.

Trout are different then bass regarding the size of the prey and mouth requires using smaller size lures with lighter wire hooks. Spinnerbaits, not inline spinners, have a large size heavy hook that requires tackle strong enough to get a good hook set. Using 6 lb test line on a typical trout spinning outfit it's difficult to use most standard bass tackle.

However...your tackle may be suited for what bass anglers call "finesse" tackle.

The popular "finesse" presentations that catch bass are; 

Ned rig

Drop shot rig.

Split shot or mojo rig or slip shot rig.

Beatle spins

inline spinners

Neko or nail weight wacky rig worms

Flick shaky rig.

All the above can work with your tackle depending on the power and action??

Suggest taking some time on this site and search all the above presentations.

Tom

I'm the opposite. I often upside in cold water while everyone else Is downsizing and I get to reap the rewards from it. Bigger cranks jerkbaits swimbaits jigs etc right now the fish are feeding before the spawn and they can still be quite lazy they want a big meal that is worth the effort to eat

3 hours ago, Hower08 said:

I'm the opposite. I often upside in cold water while everyone else Is downsizing and I get to reap the rewards from it. Bigger cranks jerkbaits swimbaits jigs etc right now the fish are feeding before the spawn and they can still be quite lazy they want a big meal that is worth the effort to eat

Agreed ~

 

Think about it - at the start of the season there are no 'baby', minnows / panfish/perch yet.

Everything that's lived through the winter is at least close to whatever it's 'adult' size is going to be. 

Later in the season after everyone's 'spawned', it's a different story.

But not early on. 

So when I'm looking to feed them something from the bait fish / non-crayfish category, full sized jerkbaits, drop shot baits, and even crankbaits, get the nod for me. 

When throwing a crayfish imitation deal - the size stays the same for me.

3 to 3.5 inch tubes, Regular sized Rage Bugs, and a Pro Rock Crawler do well. 

A-Jay

14 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Think about it - at the start of the season there are no 'baby', minnows / panfish/perch yet.

Yep - that was close to my thinking 'up top' of the thread.

 

The OP lives in Florida where the weather doesn't get cold enough to be concerned about water dropping below 50'degrees for any period of time. Lure size and weight should be compatible to the tackle being used. The OP's tackle is light trout rod with a spinning reel and 6 lb test mono.

Tom