Plastic Worms
Slow presentations are a must early in the season, so crafty Ohio bass anglers use plastic worms with a slow retrieve to entice bass to strike. Use a bullet weight to keep the worm on the bottom so the bass have plenty of time to look at the bait.
Jigs
Lead head jigs tipped with a pork rind trailer work well on lethargic bass. The scent of the pork rind and the weight of the jig keep this effective lure down in the strike zone.
Swimbaits
This soft plastic bait can be jigged or retrieved slowly along deep weed edges where early season bass reside. Pause the bait and be ready for bass to hit it on the drop.
Crankbaits
Crankbaits with a wide wobble and roll are a great trigger for early season, cold water bass. Make long casts on weedy flats and crank slow to make that bait wiggle seductively.
Live Minnows
When all else fails, suspending a lively minnow under a bobber or float can provoke a hungry bass into striking. Since bass rarely feed in the winter, they are quick to take an easy meal early in the season.
