Fishing in Western pa wondering what are peoples go-to baits- for early spring bass when the water temps are in the mid to lower 40's.

Big jerkbaits (pointer 100s and 128s) fished very slow with long pauses are my primary producers right now, especially for smallmouth. Tubes and jigs are working well too. I have also had success getting reaction bites by burning lipless cranks.

I've been having luck with spinnerbaits,and jigs, But today with the rain I noticed the shad where getting chased on the banks by bass so I ripped a Bi-you buzz threw and WHAM little 10" bass so I kept throwing it and no more takers but it felt good to get a topwater bite again.

                       joe

Here in Ohio I've convinced a few short bass to bite a 1/4 oz spinnerbait and a chrome rat-L-trap (fished pretty fast).  Nothing big but it's nice to catch bass again...

I'm in the same area as you and so far lipless crankbaits, tubes, and jigs have produced the best.

I caught three nice ones the other day on a Yum Zellamander 4" Lizard.

I always feel like I have to fish slow in this cold stuff. You guys are talking about burning cranks.

Soft plastics is all I can get 'em to bite. Sweet Beavers, Lizards, & Worms...

for me... it would have to be Senkos, jigs, tubes, and lipless crankbaits.  ;D ;D

I can't get anything to bite in my canal, however I've been fishing a 2.5 acre pond in my daughter's subdivision. I've had some success with a spinnerbait recently. Tomorrow I'm going back and trying some jigs, lipless crankbaits, jerkbaits, and senkos.

Falcon

MY SRING FLING IS ALL MY CRAWFISH COLORED CRANBAITS AND MY RAT L TRAPS YOU CANT GO WRONG

I am not too far from you and the hard jerk baits work the best for me, Pointers and Husky Jerks. I got four nice bass on them Friday.

I caught three nice ones the other day on a Yum Zellamander 4" Lizard.

I always feel like I have to fish slow in this cold stuff. You guys are talking about burning cranks.

Burning lipless cranks can be a good producer when its cold. Its a reaction bite, the fish hit it before they remember they're freezing .

All of these choices are great if the fish are shallow...but if they are in 20 ft or deeper, it's hard to beat blades (silver buddies, XPS Laser Blades, etc.) jigged vertically when the water temp is 45 or below. Drop shots also produce in these conditions.

This thread has me all excited, I never would have thought you can catch bass in PA right now. It was 32 degrees this morning!  I'm heading down to the river tonight, if anything I can try out my new rod.