Hey everyone. I just moved to Iowa near Des Moines. I’m from Florida only ever bass fished in Florida. So I’m out of my element big time. Anyone have any advice on baits and techniques to start bank fishing lakes and ponds now? Thanks so much! 

What worked in FL should work in IA - bass are bass...it's just the water temps that are different.

So what’s the best options to start out with right now? Since the water temps are still cool? I know it’s gonna be super

slow presentation 

Well, since ice is just out down there and water temps are cooler than when I start...our ice-out usually precedes our season opener by a month or more, so temps are higher when we can finally target bass.

 

Jerkbaits, slow finesse presentations are what I come up with

 

@DitchPanda - you got any more ideas since you're down there too?

That’s what I was thinking. But wasn’t sure. I was considering really slow rolled chatterbaits on the bottom or a football jig?

35 minutes ago, Joedodge said:

a football jig?

Slow dragging/bouncing a football jig I consider 'finesse'...it's how you fish it, not what equipment your using that defines finesse to me.

 

Too slow on that chatter and the blade won't 'engage', so might as well slow fish a swim-jig at that point.

 

T-Rigs/C-Rigs slow dragged are also options.

 

DitchPanda lives in NW Iowa, so he's more familiar with what works there this time of year.

 

Here in MN, ice may be gone by early April some years...but legal bass fishing doesn't happen until the middle of May so there's lots of time for the water to warm up a bit.

 

Thank you so much for all the help. Texas rig or weightless is my go to anyway lol 

Fellow Iowan here…Welcome to the Hawkeye state.

 

I have a lot of success with Ned rigs this time of the year. Smaller C-Rigs and Football Jigs are good if it’s not to snaggy from the bank. Bottom hopping a chatterbait or lipless can be good. 

Ahh didn’t think of the Ned rig making a smaller presentation. Thanks for the welcome. I’m excited to try and learn the Iowa patterns 

This time of year I have 4 or 5 things that normally produce: a finesse jig with a small chunk trailer, a jerkbait, Ned rig, Texas rigged finesse worm( this ones new to me in cold water) and a lipless fished like a blade bait. Chatter bait or spinner bait are also worth a shot.

Thanks so much other than the finesse bait those are pretty much my go to baits. Glad to hear they work well up here as well. The fishing area near my house has some deep drop offs I’m gonna give those a shot I think 

Well I assume that you didn't throw a ton of hard baits in Florida due to all the grass. Hard baits are killer here especially in winter. You can catch em really good on jerkbaits and other hard baits. Wacky rigs and the standard texas rig are also really good year round.