Western Wa Bass

[LBES]

So for spring bass fishing on the west side, what do you guys have the best results with? Crankbaits (like shad raps) or Texas Rig Senko's? How much do you guys switch up you gear throughout the season?

[2labs]

Jig an pig in that lake in your back yard!!  Starts with a "K " ends with a "son". IMO bigger bass in western WA. Than eastern

[LBES]

Jig an pig in that lake in your back yard!!  Starts with a "K " ends with a "son". IMO bigger bass in western WA. Than eastern

...that is the lake I plan to hammer on this year. I'm a bass newbie for sure, but the jig an pig is gonna snag on every cast! I almost asked in this post how to fish the football jig - I just picked up a few of them, so at least I'm on the right track. Thanks 2labs. Maybe I'll see ya out there?

[Mfowl]

When the water warms enough and the fish move shallow (presapwn/spawn) I like to go to weightless worms in large sizes, 10" black power worm,  texas rigged has worked well. Creature baits like the brush hawg again texas rigged or weightless are good as well. White and chartreusse spinner baits are always tied on a rod. Post spawn and through the summer I like to fish topwater, zara spooks and devilshorse are my choices. Good luck out there!

[2labs]

They are almost weedless. Cast or flip them in the thick stuff.

[LBES]

They are almost weedless. Cast or flip them in the thick stuff.

Got it... I'm an expert now! 

Bass fishing 5 tips to catch more bass on a jig and pig

[BigGoonTuna]

i always liked drop shotting in the springtime.  but my favorite bass tactic has always been twitching a floating rapala on the surface early in the morning or late in the evening in late summer.

[2labs]

Hey LBES. I have had good results with a power craw. Black or purple jig and black craw with chartreuse tips. Cut the thick mono wead guards back just long of the hook.

[Button Nubbs]

I like drop shotting or dragging football heads with beavers. I like the smallies.

[LBES]

I like drop shotting or dragging football heads with beavers. I like the smallies.

Umm... when you say beavers, you're talking about creature baits, right? I have some craw baits, but I think I need some more soft baits. I hate to ask this question, but what color beaver?

[bwhntr350]

So for spring bass fishing on the west side, what do you guys have the best results with? Crankbaits (like shad raps) or Texas Rig Senko's? How much do you guys switch up you gear throughout the season?

Largemouth, I like a green and or brown jig with a green pumpkin trailer. I may throw a spinnerbait or a plastic worm here and there, but this is my favorite for the pigs that live in these local smaller lakes.

 Smallies? Everything! My favorite though is a green pumpkin tube up around and under docks. Then I would probably go with a spinnerbait, a quality jerkbait, or dropshot.

 Just started trying out the swimbaits last year. Thinking about trying some big water with an Alabama rig, like some of the big flats out on Riffe, but that will come later, perhaps.

[Button Nubbs]

I like drop shotting or dragging football heads with beavers. I like the smallies.

Umm... when you say beavers, you're talking about creature baits, right? I have some craw baits, but I think I need some more soft baits. I hate to ask this question, but what color beaver?

www.reactioninnovations.com/estore/products/detail/?prodid=1&optionid=8

I always did good with the blue green swirl.

[PolarBear]

I am a hardcore worm pitcher.  Since I make my own the are practically all I use anymore.  I rig them on a jig head and shake them or drop shot or weedless with no weight.   If I have to use hard plastics it is usually a Rat-L-Trap, Floating Rapala or a wiggle wart.  Yep, I'm still stuck in the 80's when it comes to fishin' for bass but the results are still good.

[broadhead]

I primarily fish Lake Washington and Samammish. A worm is great. I also like to use a 2 inch brown grub on a 1/4 oz jig. But I've also got my biggest smallmouth on a rooster tail spinner. I think if you just piss em off they will strike at most things.

[PolarBear]

These are a few of my favorites that I make.  The one on the far left (pretty crappy looking mold) is cinnamon/black/hot craw orange is killer in lakes with a lot of crawdads!  That one has made me a bunch of money in tournaments many years ago.  I came up with that in high school.  Another good one is the same pattern but with a chartreuse belly and tail.

[broadhead]

I like the looks of that one second from the right. Not sure the bass agree with me but since they ain't talkin I'd recommend that color in my area. LOL

[PolarBear]

Yeah, that is my second go to.  It is cinnamon with a chartreuse belly and tail.  It is actually a better color for spring and early summer.  The one on the far left is a great late summer/early fall color.  Sorry, didn't mead to jack this thread.

[LBES]

Thanks for the tips guys!.. I made a dent in bank account today, but looking forward to trying these options out. Sportsmans Warehouse carried the beavers, so I'm all stocked up! 

[Button Nubbs]

Thanks for the tips guys!.. I made a dent in bank account today, but looking forward to trying these options out. Sportsmans Warehouse carried the beavers, so I'm all stocked up!

Drag em.

[KopperBuck]

Look into Havoc baits, my boy (who by the way finished 2nd at the Bassmaster Classic today...) turned me on to them. He's sponsored by products he believes in and I am a witness as well - crazy action, good durability, and love the feel of them.

[KopperBuck]

Havoc is a Berkley line btw

[bassquatch]

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! 

[moocher97]

weedless hooks with a dark green /pumpkin colored double tail with no wait or wait eithier way since its colder there going to be less agressive so worms crankbaits dont work for me just too much action