Spring largies: Water temps 45-52* Jig & pig, 1/4 - 3/8oz size in browns, greens and black and blue. Fishing with these and snagging do go hand in hand true, but I assume you're fishing from a boat? Learn to 'twang' your line and 98% of the time they pop loose! Target WOOD! Rocks are good too, but the largies love to stage on wood structure early season March and April. Fish the sunny side of everything first, it's not July, they are not seeking shade they are seeking warmth. Don't give up! The fish may not be there at 9am but check back at Noon or 3pm I usually don't even launch before 9am in March. Move the bait but try not to MOVE the bait...not yet. Practice slack bouncing a jig, keep it twitching but also in the strike zone! Senko's work well too. Let them sink on a slack line and rig them wacky whenever possible. If you're fishing in a lot of grass I like to take a 6" Power worm with an unpegged 1/2oz Tungsten bullet weight, pinch off enough to make it about 50/50 tail and bait rig and drag it through the grass looking for rocks, logs and stumps...
As the water warms even more in early April, say 52-58*, mix in a lipless crankbait and work it just above low grass being sure to nick the grass during your retrieve. My favs are 1/2oz Red Eyed Shad's in pumpkinseed type colors. If possible work the bait deep to shallow. They are also deadly around rocks in mid-late April! Spinnerbaits will also pick up now, especially in grassier lakes. If you are getting action on spinnerbaits, don't be afraid to reach for a swimbait!
May: the spawn is on! Good time to take a shot at crankbaits near spawning flats. I personally don't prefer bed fishing because the fish are in essence trapped by their need to breed, I liken it to hunting at the zoo, it's far too easy and unrewarding. Leave them and focus on fish still in pre-spawn or those in post-spawn mode.
June: Find a pattern and pound em! Nothing is off the table now through September/October!! One piece of West-Side Summer fishing advice I will give you is NEVER pass up a good rain storm!!! Some of my most productive July, August and September trips have been during downpours....sprinkle in a little thunder and it's all the better
Welcome to the sport, enjoy your bassin' adventures and shoot me a pm if you ever find yourself headed North!
