Spring in Massachusetts marks the beginning of an exciting bass fishing season as the ice melts and the waters warm up. Different locations and lures greatly impact the fish you catch, so here is a guide to maximize your success on the water this season.

As temperatures begin to rise, the fish begin to move close to shore to feed and prepare for spawning. During this time, bass can be found near rocks or structures while they are looking for shelter. They are specifically drawn to these areas because they provide warmth, protection, and a lot of food where they can easily hunt such smaller fish and insects. Fishing in these shallow waters during warmer weather will help narrow down your search for a monster fish. By focusing on natural covers, you can target the bass as they begin to be more active.

Using the right lures will also play a major role in a successful fishing trip. Slow-moving baits like soft plastic worms, jigs, and jerkbait are very effective in the early season while the fish are still tired and slow from the winter. By letting your bait sink to the bottom of the pond or lake and reeling it up slowly, you will allow the fish to be able to attack your lure easily, as opposed to aggressive attacks later in the season.

When the spring days start to get warmer and the water heats up, you can make the switch the top water baits and crankbaits, which will allow for exciting strikes as the energetic fish leap out of the water and right onto your lure. In the warmer days of spring, you can start to take a faster approach to reeling in, which will better mimic the movements of baitfish now that the bass are ready to hunt.

Although it may not seem so important, the color of your lures or plastic worms also affects the likelihood of a bite. Choosing the right color can make a large difference, because bass rely heavily on their vision to spot their prey. In clear waters, more natural colors such as green and brown work very effectively because they resemble the bass’s natural food sources. In darker and more murky waters, brighter colors like orange or yellow work better because they help your bait stand out and attract attention from more fish than a dull color. Testing out different colors and seeing how they work for you will increase your chances of getting more bites and hopefully lead to a trophy bass.

With the right approach and equipment, your bass fishing experience in Massachusetts this spring can be both exciting and rewarding. By targeting the right locations and using the right lures, you will be able to catch the biggest fish out of any other fishermen. Whether you are just getting into fishing or you have been fishing your whole life, this guide will help you catch the fish you have always dreamed of. Many people at Masco love to fish, so hopefully this will help everyone take their fishing skills to the next level.