Plastics, the Whole Plastics, and Nothing but the Plastics for
Early-Season Bass
by Jerry Curtis

Remember when anglers used plastics for the sake of using plastics? These days, too many anglers, even my fellow bass chasers, have relegated plastics to trailer or tipping status only. That’s a mistake, especially in early season, when you can’t beat a slow-falling plastic rig for triggering strikes.

Before we talk rigs, however, let’s locate some fish. Around opener, I usually focus on muddy, or more appropriately, “turbid” bays and coves. The water has warmed faster here than in clear water, so we’ve got a better chance of encountering post-spawn fish during the early bass season.

Turbid water holds more heat, so it hold more baitfish, too. The bass aren’t in the shallows strictly to spawn; they’re following that forage source as well. Early season crappie and panfish anglers frequently bump into bass when chasing the slabs here in early May, or even late April.

We’re looking for a temperature in the low 60-degree range. Largemouth begin spawning around 57 degrees, so I usually consider water above 63 degrees post spawn. Fish may venture out of the area immediately after the spawn, but I firmly believe that some big fish forage around shallow-water structure year-round.

Monitor the bottom and weed structure as you enter the bay or cove. That milfoil or other structure at 3 to 5 feet coming off the main lake could be extremely productive. Once I’m deeper into the bay, I’ll concentrate on the weedline near shore or any down trees. Don’t be afraid to key on early lily pads, also. They sometimes produce fish.

Fish relatively light line (we are talking bass after all) in the 10- to 12-pound test range, with light sinkers (1/16 or smaller) and a variety of plastics, such as crayfish, spider-type grubs and tubes — a prime lure for spring bass.

Now, take a breath here and be willing to part from the gospel of bass fishing. Here goes: Consider fishing your plastics rig weightless. I remember the first time I fished a weightless rig. My partner and I were suffering through a long, unproductive tournament day. We could see suspended fish slowly “mazing” around the boat, but our Texas rigs kept spooking them, despite our small (1/8-ounce) weights. Fed up and with nothing to lose, I cut off the sinker and threw the bait weightless. It worked. Within minutes, we found ourselves catching fish and back in the competition. That was back in the late 1980s, and the weightless option has been a productive part of my arsenal ever since.

Several plastics, including my favorite, the Senko, but also Flukes and the old reliable Sluggo, achieve two feats at once. First, they imitate those minnow forage fish we discussed earlier. We’re just “matching the hatch,” and the quivering action of these plastics really tempt hungry fish.

Secondly, hooked through the middle with a 5/0 hook, they flutter slowly to the bottom. (I mean literally “through the middle” so the ends of the plastic dangle off both sides of the hook.) Post-spawn bass often remain in a defensive, protect-the-beds mode. Taunt them with a slow-falling Senko, and they just can’t resist taking an angry swipe.

If they ignore your offering on the drop, lightly twitch it back. Be forewarned — detecting these bites requires a sharp eye and sensitive touch. Watch your line (which probably is running slack) for any quiver, and monitor your rod tip closely on the pick-up. If you feel any pressure, set the hook. Rather than striking this rig, those bass inhaling it almost walleye-like. Nine out of 10 times, you won’t feel anything until the hook-set.

This weightless approach will work with other plastics, including just your standard plastic worm. Just figure on using a smaller hook, say 4/0 or 3/0. You know the rule: The thicker the plastic, the larger the hook. This spring, I really plan to experiment with colored hooks to freshen up my presentation.

Whether it’s Atkins, the South Beach Diet, or Body For Life, it seems everyone’s in a “lose the weight” mode these days. Shouldn’t the same apply to your plastic rigs?

Jerry Curtis is an avid bass tournament angler, outdoor communicator, and the 2001 Champion of the Minnesota Pro/Am Bass Tour.