Swimbaits like the Raid Swimmer are incredibly effective during the winter prespawn season, especially when fished properly. A lot of anglers love these baits but often don’t fish them the way we do up North. The approach makes a huge difference in the number of bites you get.
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Fish the Bottom – That’s Where the Forage Is
Up here, it’s all about staying close to the bottom. Slow-hopping or scooting your swimbait along the lake floor mimics natural forage like perch and crawfish. These are the kinds of prey fish are used to seeing this time of year, and most of them live right along the bottom.
When the swimbait is rigged on a jig head, it kicks up mud and sand as it moves, giving off a realistic profile that bass key in on. It looks like something they already eat, so you’re not forcing a bite—you’re matching their current feeding habits.
There are moments, especially when bluegills are suspended, where you can fish the swimbait mid-column. In those cases, casting and retrieving through open water works.
But for early spring especially in clear water environments, it’s better to keep your bait down low. These fish aren’t chasing shad; they’re locked into the bottom forage.
Best Time to Start: Late Winter to Early Spring
As the water temperature starts rising into the mid-40s and beyond—usually around March—fish begin transitioning from deep wintering holes to flatter, shallow areas. This is when the bite picks up.
That’s also a great time to bring in complementary baits like the Thunder Cricket or a Redeye Shad. These options become more productive as fish become more active and start patrolling for food along those flats.
A Look at Gear: Shallow Spool Reels for Better Control
Trying out new gear is part of the fun, and one standout is the Custom Lite 200 Series shallow spool reel. Designed to reduce how much line you need to spool, this reel gives you full casting performance without waste.
It’s also excellent for line management. Pairing 8 lb braid with a fluorocarbon leader, the line lays neatly on the spool and flows off smoothly. It minimizes wind knots and casting issues, which means more time fishing and less time dealing with tangles.
For bass fishing, you’re not going to need hundreds of yards of line, so having a shallow spool is more practical. Plus, it saves line and improves casting distance and control.
