Most importantly you must remember that this time of year the water is very cold, with water temps in the low to mid 40's. A dip in water this cold could bring fatal results. So always be prepared for the worst.
Wisconsin offers spring time anglers a wide variety of patterns that work well on bass. The most important thing to remember is bass are going to be sluggish. A slow presentation works better than a fast one. That means that vertical baits work better than horizontal baits. There is an exception to this rule when fishing for Smallmouth Bass. During the spring time when water temps are between 45 and 50 degrees it's hard to beat a jerkbait twitched with long pauses between jerks, something about that which can drive a smallie crazy.
Not long after ice out, water temps will start rising into the upper 40's to low 50's. Bass start moving into the shallows to feed and get ready for the spawn. Anglers who are prepared can take advantage of this and have some of the best bass fishing of the year
After staying dormant through the winter months and only feeding to survive, Largemouth Bass will start to feed more as the sun warms the water and raises their metabolism.
Largemouth Bass like to spawn in shallow bays, flats, and along shorelines with sand or small gravel bottoms. Depending on the weather a bass my travel from its wintering spot to its spawning spot a half dozen times or so before it decides to stay and spawn. During these times of travel bass can be caught on a regular basis. Understanding the bass' travel route will help you catch more fish. Bass winter in deep water next to ledges, over humps, river channels, etc. Finding these ares close to the spawning spots will give you a general route in which the bass uses. Fish these ares for the best chance at Ice Out Bass.
As mentioned before, vertical presentations work best. My lure of choice or lures of choice are a 1/4 ounce jig with an Uncle Josh #11 pork trailer along with a Zoom green pumpkin lizard. Tubes, worms, and grubs work great as well. The jig is my confidence lure.
When fishing a jig in early spring I like to use 12 and 14 pound fluorocarbon line on a medium heavy rod. The line and rod are important. Cold water in normally much clearer than warm water, algae has not yet started to grow and the wind has not had much affect on the water, thus the fluorocarbon line. The medium heavy rod with a fast tip helps you detect bites that are normally lighter this time of year.
Presentation and location are keys to catching spring time bass. Since we know bass like to spawn in shallow bays, and these bays will warm the fastest with bright sunny days, this is the first place I look when fishing for Ice Out Bass,
keying on any structure that will give cover to the bass. These areas also cool the fastest with cool sunless days, pushing bass back toward their wintering spots, usually bass will hold on the first major break to deeper water. This is an elimination process, if the bass are not shallow then work the major breaks. The bass will be in one of these ares.
Slow is the key word when working this bait. As the jig comes to rest on the bottom, work the jig back to you very slowly, working the jig up and down 4 to 6 inches off the bottom. At this time of year the bites are usually on the lite side. Paying close attention to your line and what you feel on the bottom is critical. Don't be in a hurry, some of my casts take 2 minutes to work the jig back to the boat. Always stay in contact with the jig, keeping a tight line. The
bite can be very subtle, sometimes feeling like your hung on something. If you feel this, set the hook, you have nothing to lose, then again it could be the bass of a lifetime.
Bass fishing after ice out can be very rewarding to the angler who pays close attention to detail, along with having the water all to yourself.
Carl Scharenbroch
Strictly Bassin
