April and May have a lot of bass preparing to spawn, currently spawning or just completing the spawn.
While lots of people look forward to this time of year, the fishing can be challenging. Depending on where they are in the spawning cycle, they may not be interested in feeding at all, but with the right approach and bait you can make it work and often tangle with some huge bass.
I often rely on one of the most foundational baits in all of bass fishing – the Original Culprit worm.
I fish the worm slowly around points and around cover, basically high percentage spots, that need to be covered, but covered slowly.
When bass are in the thick of the spawn, they’ll often be just out of sight and the only way to catch them is a slow deliberate approach.
If you are lucky enough to spot some fish visually, take note of how they react. Often, bedding bass will just swim away no matter what lure you throw at them, only to return in 15-30 seconds. So it is important to really go slow this time of year and have a bait that does not spook them.
The Original 7.5″ Culprit is actually quite stealthy, more in line with finesse fishing of modern times, which is just what the doctor ordered for the mood of the fish this time of year.
There are several ways to fish it, the most popular being a Texas rig.
I typically use a 3/16 to 1/4 oz. weight and a 1/0 or 2/0 offset hook. This combination of relatively light weight still allows for good casting, but also forces you to slow down.
Fish it around any visible cover or wherever you believe bass may be spawning. I often find them on points if the water is low, and back in pockets if it is normal or high.
If you are fishing bigger areas, a light Carolina rig can be a really good tool this time of year too. Fish shallow points and bigger flats, stopping it often.
The last two ways I fish this lure may really surprise you.
First, I will “neko rig” it if I can see light spots indicating beds. You talk about something bass have never seen – an action tail worm basically rigged wacky style with a nail within the head. This works wonders for finicky spawners; I use it on spinning gear and 10 lb. braid in this manner.
The final way that will also likely surprise you is weighless. If you have shallow cover and fish are far along in the spawn with some guarding fry, then this is a good way to catch them especially when there is a lot of fishing pressure. The original Culprit is really sneaky and doesn’t frighten the bass. It also looks like it is trying to eat the fry, so the bass eat it really well. Use 8 or 10 lb. braid with a fluoro leader for best casting as it is light to cast. I often target highly likely areas like the base of pine trees or around willow bushes in clearer water.
Whichever way you fish it, the Original Culprit is a great option to catch lots of fishing pressure this spring.