“In spring one of the biggest mistakes that stickbait fishermen make is trying to fish the bait like they do in the summer,” said McClelland. “Slow down, get your bait to the fishing depth, then give the bait a few lighter jerks and pull the bait forward a little. Do not get too aggressive with your bait movements during the colder water period, the bass are not that aggressive in the colder water and neither will be the baitfish that they are feeding on. Tone down your bait action to match how the forage is acting and that will get you more bites”.
to its holding depth. Then, he will stop and let the bait settle out. With slack in his line, he will give his bait its first jerk and then let the bait settle back out again. This may be followed by two or three more jerks. The bass will tell you how they want it; so pay attention to your cadence when you get bit.
So, when it comes time to grab your stickbait rod early in the season, make sure that you take some of these tips to the water with you. When you have to keep your bait in front of the bass for a longer time they will have a closer look at what your bait is doing and that will either get you bites or cost you bites.
By making the right adjustments that Mike McClelland has explained here, you will put more bass in your livewell this spring season and avoid going back to the dock empty-handed.
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