Heartland Hooksets: March Bass Fishing With Spinnerbait

 

The heartland of the USA, I have several ponds and lakes that I like to go to that offer fantastic fishing opportunities year-round. However, as the chill of winter begins to recede and the first hints of spring emerge in March, the bass fishing can truly turn on. This past March of 2025 was no exception, and I found myself consistently finding success with a particular spinnerbait setup across several of our local ponds and lakes.

My go-to lure during this period was a spinnerbait with a specific configuration that seemed to perfectly entice the awakening bass. It featured a smaller inner gold willow leaf blade paired with a larger outer silver willow leaf blade. This combination provided a significant amount of flash, mimicking the subtle glint of early spring baitfish in the often still-clear waters. The skirt was a subtle blend of white, chartreuse, and light purple strands. This color combination offers a hint of brightness for visibility while the purple adds a touch of realism, suggesting a distressed or injured baitfish.

To further enhance the presentation, I opted for a Kaitech "Easy Shiner" swimbait as a trailer. The natural swimming action of the Easy Shiner, combined with the flash and vibration of the spinnerbait, proved to be an irresistible combination for the prespawn bass. The subtle wiggle of the swimbait added another dimension of movement that really seemed to trigger strikes.
The consistent success I experienced in March with this spinnerbait setup highlights a few key factors for early spring bass fishing in the St. Louis region:

• Flash is Key: The clear water often found in March means that visual attraction is crucial. The dual willow leaf blades provided ample flash to draw attention from a distance.
• Subtle Colors Work: While bright colors can sometimes be effective, the more natural blend of white, chartreuse, and light purple in the skirt seemed to appeal to the bass as they transitioned out of their winter dormancy.
• Trailer Action Matters: The added movement of the Kaitech Easy Shiner swimbait provided a realistic profile and enticing wiggle that likely triggered more strikes than the spinnerbait alone.
• Target Transition Areas: In the prespawn period, bass often stage in areas where they can move easily from deeper wintering areas to shallower spawning grounds. Focusing on these transition zones with the spinnerbait proved to be a winning strategy.

Expanding on the success we've seen with the Easy Shiner trailer, it's worth highlighting the company behind these effective lures: Keitech. Founded on a wealth of fishing knowledge and advanced production technology, Keitech has become a favorite among anglers for their innovative designs and high-quality soft plastic baits. Their commitment to creating lifelike action and using unique materials sets them apart in the competitive world of fishing lures.

Among their impressive lineup, several lures consistently stand out. The Keitech Fat Swing Impact series, with its ribbed body and enticing paddle tail, is renowned for its versatility and ability to attract a wide range of fish. Available in numerous sizes and colors, it excels on various rigs, including jig heads, A-rigs, and as a trailer. The Keitech Swing Impact, featuring a slimmer profile but equally captivating tail action, is another staple for many anglers, performing exceptionally well at various retrieve speeds. Lastly, the Keitech Shad Impact offers a more streamlined, shad-like profile with a unique balance achieved through different densities of salted plastics, ensuring a natural horizontal presentation that predators find irresistible. These, along with the incredibly effective Easy Shiner, showcase Keitech's dedication to crafting lures that simply catch fish.  If you want more information, head over to Keitech.

Keitech USA Website: https://www.keitechusa.com/ - This is the official website for Keitech in the USA. Readers can find detailed information about all their lures, including descriptions, colors, and sizes. They can also likely find information on where to purchase Keitech products.

While every fishing trip is different, my experiences in March of 2025 near St. Louis underscored the effectiveness of a well-chosen spinnerbait in enticing early spring bass. The combination of flash, subtle color, and trailer action proved to be a recipe for success in the heartland. As the water continues to warm in the coming weeks, I'm excited to see how this and other techniques continue to produce!