Just curious what you guys would throw first plastic's are moving hard baits? Still a bit cold here in the north east so topwater would be out of the question.

In previous years I found smaller soft plastics work well (ned).  Haven't been out this year yet.  Shiny objects - spinners worked slowly and deeper can work pre/pre/pre spawn.  I fish in upstate NY and it's still too early and cold there.  Couple more weeks....counting the days...C'mon weather!

Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and jigs good choices for prespawn when I was in NY. I was not a jerkbait guy, but I was constantly talking to guys who were, and they would whack them fishing jerkbaits in the early season

 

If you are closer to the spawn, I found swim jigs, creature baits, and senkos worked great for me

Don’t second guess bass, all lures can come into play including top water.

It’s difficult to slow down the 1st few outings so my suggestion is start with something you like to use and have confidence with under the prevailing conditions.

When you get the wiggles out and can slow down then soft plastics usually work everywhere, weightless wacky rigged Senko is hard to beat for getting some bass.

Tom

Update I tried a senko, jerkbait, crank bait and the new tanuki but nothing. But I was able to get two bass about a pound each. I caught them on a magdraft 5 inch in albino pearl. That bait is just amazing how it moves in the water I was slow rolling it.

What you may want to ask yourself first is where should the fish be? Let that determine which type of bait to start out with.  Rising water temps and stable weather should have them moving toward the shallows while falling temps and changing weather will likely have them retreating.  That being said, always remember that there are no set in stone rules when it comes to bass fishing, so don't be afraid to try something.  I caught bass this week on a Zara Spook and a buzzbait and the surface temps were only in the low 50's.

1 hour ago, papajoe222 said:

What you may want to ask yourself first is where should the fish be? Let that determine which type of bait to start out with.  Rising water temps and stable weather should have them moving toward the shallows while falling temps and changing weather will likely have them retreating.  That being said, always remember that there are no set in stone rules when it comes to bass fishing, so don't be afraid to try something.  I caught bass this week on a Zara Spook and a buzzbait and the surface temps were only in the low 50's.

That's funny you said that I was gonna tie on a Zara puppy but I didn't but now that I think about it maybe I should of next time.

Most of the time in early spring when the water is colder I will be fishing with moving baits.  I still bring the Texas rig with me just in case the bass don't want moving baits.

Don’t underestimate topwater in cold water. I’ve caught fish in 45 degree water on spooks worked painfully slow

My baits are moving before the soft plastics come out.

Spinnerbaits, swim jigs, underspins, Jerkbaits and square bills.

I'm certain a Senko will catch in colder water temps, I just prefer moving baits.

I've been doing well with spinnerbaits and jigs. I was throwing a Zoom Fluke last week, I was cutting part of the tail off and inserted a willow blade tail spinner.  I was surprised how good it worked, landed 7 fish in about 15 minutes.