Pre-spawn fishing advice from KVD. The Squarebill versus the spinnerbait. Get inside the mind of KVD with pro fishing advice from the bass master. His custom-designed lures from @StrikeKingLure. @TheKevinVanDam breaks it down for you.
Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing: Key Baits and Strategies
The pre-spawn is one of the most exciting times of the year for bass fishing. As bass move shallow, they follow migration routes leading to spawning flats, stopping along the way to stage around cover.
When targeting pre-spawn bass, two baits are essential: the KVD Square Bill Crankbait and a Spinnerbait.
This period presents an incredible opportunity to catch big fish, but success depends on assessing water clarity, cover, and conditions to choose the most effective bait.
For all your bass fishing and outdoor sports needs: https://bassproshops.vzck.net/WqGoYO
Assessing Water Clarity and Cover
One of the biggest factors in selecting the right bait is water clarity and the type of cover available. By analyzing temperature, water visibility, and structure, you can determine the most efficient approach for catching pre-spawn bass.
- Rocky Areas & Channel Swings: The KVD Square Bill Crankbait is unbeatable in these conditions. Whether using a 1.5 Deep or a standard 1.5, these crankbaits excel in crawfish patterns, which are highly effective during the pre-spawn. The top colors include Delta Red, Fire Craw, Brown Crawfish, and Red Tomato.
- Grass & Brush Cover: In areas with cattails, lily pads, laydowns, and bushes, a spinnerbait is the go-to choice. The ability to slow-roll a spinnerbait makes it incredibly effective, allowing for accurate casts and effortless navigation through thick cover.
Choosing the Right Colors & Blades
Water clarity plays a major role in color and blade selection:
- Dirty Water: Opt for bright colors such as chartreuse and use Colorado blades for maximum vibration. A slow retrieve keeps the bait in the strike zone longer, increasing your chances of triggering a strike.
- Clear Water: More natural colors like bluegill, pearl white, and shad work best. The clearer the water, the more subtle and natural your bait presentation should be.
The vibration of a spinnerbait is key—big pre-spawn bass can’t resist it. The right combination of blade style, color, and retrieve speed ensures maximum effectiveness in different water conditions.
Covering Water to Find Key Stretches
Pre-spawn bass fishing is all about locating the most productive stretches of water. Sometimes, it requires covering a lot of ground before finding that one magical 50-yard stretch where fish are stacked up.
Both the spinnerbait and square bill crankbait are ideal for this approach. Positioning your boat close to the bank and making short, accurate parallel casts allows you to work the area efficiently.
Whether fishing rocky banks, riprap, or heavy cover, selecting the right bait and keeping it in the strike zone as long as possible is crucial.
FAQs
How to Fish Jerkbaits for Prespawn Smallmouth Bass? Pre Spawn Bass Fishing Tips
How to find good spawning flats? Fishing with KVD
Prespawn Shallow Cranking: A Dynamite Technique