Top 5 Best Bait Categories for March
0. Full-Scale Pre-spawn Period Begins
As March arrives, bass fully enter their pre-spawn period. Generally, larger bass with more stamina begin moving to shallow areas around late February when water temperatures start rising from their lowest point. By March, other bass gradually follow suit. Bass that have just moved up from deep water are likely to remain cautious, staying close to cover while observing their surroundings. Meanwhile, bass that had already moved up in February will begin actively feeding by March to recover their strength, so it's advisable to focus on fishing techniques that draw to their predatory instincts.
Furthermore, early spring alternates between cold and warm days as temperatures gradually increase. This means we must consider days when bass activity temporarily decreases due to cold fronts.
Based on these factors, here are the best bait genres for March.
- 1. Targeting Aggressive Bass - Strong-Action Crankbaits or Compact Crankbait
- 2. Targeting Aggressive Bass – Big Glide Baits
- 3. Targeting Cautious Bass in Cover - Bait Finesse (BFS)
- 4. Targeting Deep Cover - Power Finesse
- 5. Cold-front-weakened baitfish during "Shad Kill Condition" ~ Long-bill Jerkbait ~
- 6. Summary
1. Targeting Aggressive Bass - Strong-Action Crankbaits or Compact Crankbait
For bass aggressively feeding to build strength for spawning, use shallow crankbaits with strong action, bouncing them off structure here and there to trigger their predatory instinct. Particularly in early March, aggressive feeders are often big bass, so keep this in mind.
Here are two baits developed by former B.A.S.S. Elite angler Seizo Shimizu, focusing on catching big bass. From EVERGREEN, there's the X-OVER, a crankbait that can be steady retrieved while incorporating jerking pauses like a jerkbait, or combined with twitches if the steady retrieve isn't producing. Then there's the ZERUCH, with its flat body creating strong flash and water displacement. Both are highly drawing shallow crankbaits.
While the above specifically targets big bass, when other bass are also in feeding mode or when there are plenty of baitfish in the field, throwing compact crankbait is effective. The IMAKATSU GekiasaShad, specifically designed for shallow water, can be worked above the eyeline of aggressive bass, triggering their predatory instinct. If you need more drawing power, switch to the GekiasaFlat with its flashing flat-sided body, or try the IXI Furious for burning when the bite is tough.
2. Targeting Aggressive Bass – Big Glide Baits
Another approach for aggressive bass, especially when targeting big ones, is using Big Glide Baits. For large bass looking to efficiently recover strength, bigger prey is ideal. For bass that are selective about their prey rather than eating just anything, use a slow reeling approach that creates a wide glide movement, allowing the bait to stay in view and entice them. The MEGABASS i-Slide 187R, a hard-bodied jointed bait, excels at drawing fish from a wide area with its large glide movement due to its extensive range of motion. Big bass will likely strike this horizontal movement. Remember this is primarily for use in clear water conditions.
3. Targeting Cautious Bass in Cover - Bait Finesse (BFS)
Bass that have just moved up from deep water or those affected by cold fronts often hide in cover, carefully observing their surroundings. Bait finesse (BFS) is an effective approach for these fish. This Japanese-born technique involves using lighter finesse rigs with baitcasting equipment. This allows for quicker casting with better accuracy than spinning gear when targeting cover like reed walls that extend horizontally. Additionally, using 8–12-pound fluorocarbon line with finesse rigs weighing less than 1/6 ounce enables both "finesse presentation" and "pulling bass out of cover with stronger fishing line."
The JACKALL D-Bill Shad works well here with its wide lip that reduces snags around cover. At 2.2 inches, it's smaller than standard crankbaits with more subtle action, maintaining stable swimming motion even when contacting structure - perfect for fishing tight to cover. Work it parallel to concrete walls, rock banks, reed beds, and similar cover to efficiently search for bass holding tight.
You can also directly approach bass hiding in cover. In areas with moderate cover like emerging vegetation, a Cover-Neco-rig (Snagless-Neco-rig) is effective. By hiding the hook point in the middle of the soft-plastic, this setup reduces snags while ensuring solid hooksets when the line is pulled, as the hook point faces upward. During the fight, although significant pressure is applied due to the opposing forces of the line pull and hook direction, the heavier line possible with bait finesse equipment prevents lost fish. While the rig itself is finesse, bait finesse gear can handle the strong hooksets needed during the fight.
Hook specifically designed for the Cover Neko-Rig
For more details about bait finesse
4. Targeting Deep Cover - Power Finesse
During severe cold fronts when water temperatures drop significantly, or when bass aren't fully active, they may hide in dense cover that seems impossible to effectively fish. Power finesse, another Japanese-developed technique, allows you to present finesse rigs in such thick cover where even bait finesse approaches struggle.
You can confidently cast into spots like complex bush cover where baitcasting gear might backlash. Using high-strength braided line also enables techniques like vertical presentations that put heavy stress on the line, and you can pull fish out forcefully even from long distances. Power finesse's draw lies in reaching places even flipping sticks can't access.
For example, try deadsticking a small rubber jig with subtle twiches right in front of the bass's face. They won't pass up an easy feeding opportunity even while staying in cover. The IMAKATSU MC Hanger Jig is recommended for vertical presentations. Despite being a small rubber jig, it uses a special hook comparable to full-size jigs that resists bending even with no-stretch braided line and powerful strikes. It maintains a horizontal position even when deadsticked, making it less likely to spook cautious bass. The Huddle Swimmer with its subtle action makes an excellent trailer.
5. Cold-front-weakened baitfish during "Shad Kill Condition" ~ Long-bill Jerkbait ~
During periods of significant temperature fluctuation, what's known as "shad kill condition" occurs - when baitfish, more sensitive to temperature changes than bass, become paralyzed by cold and present perfect feeding opportunities for bass.
These weakened baitfish flutter down to mid-range depths where water temperatures are more stable, and bass follow to feed on them. The MEGABASS ONETEN R is perfect for imitating these struggling baitfish. Known for its relatively subtle action within the ONETEN series, it can effectively mimic exhausted baitfish. Try slow-rolling it with pauses. Choose between +1 to +3 diving depths depending on where the baitfish are holding.
If the 4.3-inch ONETEN R seems too large, switch to the X-NANAHAN. At 3 inches, it's an ideal size for bass to strike while maintaining characteristic ONETEN action. Select the appropriate diving depth model here as well.
6. Summary
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- 1. For actively feeding bass, use a shallow crankbait to entice them or swim a compact crankbait that mimics baitfish.
- 2. For big bass targeting the most efficient prey, use a big bait with a wide glide movement.
- 3. For wary bass hiding in cover, fish efficiently with a bait finesse approach.
- 4. For bass tucked deep in heavy cover, punch through with power finesse.
- 5. Mimic cold-weakened baitfish with a long-bill jerkbait.
Here’s an article summarizing everything about the pre-spawn.
For those who want to learn more about bait finesse (BFS)