Here in Ohio after a long cold winter, the anglers know that pre-spawn bass fishing is just around the corner. What is “pre-spawn fishing,” anyway? That is fishing for those big, hungry largemouth bass that have been taking it easy all winter long and are now looking for a big, fat easy meal. The best method to entice a slumbering giant bass is to offer it something it can’t refuse like a big lifelike trout swimbait. There are a lot of waters in Ohio that are stocked with hatchery-raised rainbow trout, and those little 9-to-12-inch fish make an easy meal for a lunker largemouth bass.

There are many companies in the marketplace and many private manufacturers that make extremely lifelike, large swimbaits that resemble all kinds of prey for largemouth bass. They look, feel and swim like real fish, and even fool fish-eating birds too! The anglers who know how to use these types of swimbaits often outperform other anglers either from boat or shore. Most anglers who use swimbaits for pre-spawn fishing have gradually prepared themselves with the equipment required, such as special rods, braided lines and costly lures.

Another very effective method used by a lot of successful anglers is to fish the bottom-structure areas like rock piles, under docks, big timber, and the ever-present tulle- or rush-lined shorelines. These anglers know that not only will the bigger bass be looking for a quick easy meal, but they will also be looking for areas to spawn and build a nest. So, by targeting these areas, the anglers can provide the meal ticket the bass just might be looking for.

Fishing both pre-spawn and during the spawn cycle can be a rewarding experience for any angler. Simply putting something big and tasty in front of those giant bass will result in success. The females will be famished and looking for something tasty after they lay their eggs, so be prepared to give them what they want: a big, easy, tasty meal!