The EASIEST Trick For EARLY SPRING Bass Fishing!

RED and ORANGE catch BIG bass in the Spring! When water temperatures reach 50 degrees you should be reaching for a red bait to catch bigger bass! Whether your lake is crystal clear or chocolate milk, bass will attack red baits as they head into the pre-spawn. It can work with chatterbaits, spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits, squarebill crankbaits, and more!
The biggest issue with throwing these crawfish-imitating baits is knowing exactly which color to throw. Some baits are neon orange, others are transparent red. So how do you know which ones to try? It all comes down to water color and conditions. Pay close attention as Tim explains how to use each color to your advantage and when to switch between them.
Below you'll find links to the exact baits, colors, and sizes Tim discussed in the video. We've also included links to some of our favorite gear for fishing these different baits. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each lure.
CHATTERBAITS...
•ZMan Big Blade Chatterbait: bit.ly/3hjvGid
Color: Fire Craw, Hot Craw
•Zman Elite Evo: bit.ly/3OAGB8y
Color: Lava Craw, Bama Craw
CHATTERBAIT TRAILERS...
•Big Bite Baits Kamikaze SwimOn: bit.ly/2NkSdPV
Colors: Flame Thrower, Sweet Potato Pie
•Missile Baits Spunk Shad: bit.ly/3CA8BCG
Colors: Lava Craw
•Hog Farmer Spunk Shad: bit.ly/2UFkCD7
Colors: Blow Torch
•Yamamoto Kickin Zako: bit.ly/3fPRQsF
Colors: Fire Craw
SQUAREBILLS...
•River2Sea Biggie: bit.ly/2ahCzvo
Colors: Cold Blooded, Delta Craw
•Nomad Atlas 55: bit.ly/3UOkjU5
Colors: Red Craw, Brown Craw
•Bill Lewis ATV 1.5: bit.ly/41o3ctj
Colors: Fire Truck Craw, Red Glitter Craw
•Damiki BTC 60: bit.ly/35yagXK
Colors: Ghost Craw, Red Craw
•Spro Little John: bit.ly/2dDfuqt
Colors: Blood Craw, Fire Craw
•Rapala OG Tiny 4: bit.ly/3A76zGi
Colors: Red Crawdad, Rootbeer Crawdad
DEEP DIVING CRANKBAITS...
•River2Sea Tactical DD 75: bit.ly/37dclbX
Color: Blood Craw
•Spro Rock Crawler: bit.ly/2NFPA5t
Colors: Red Bug, Electric Red Craw
•Megabass Super Z2: bit.ly/3fsxn9G
Colors: Wild Craw, Mat Craw 2
LIPLESS CRANKBAITS...
•Jackall TN70: bit.ly/2lqAwjh
Colors: RT Escape Craw, Crawfish
•Bill Lewis Hammer Trap: bit.ly/3Uk0Ri1
Colors: Fire Craw, Rayburn Red Craw
FAVORITE CHATTERBAIT COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR: bit.ly/2QurcHi
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (HG): bit.ly/2ezIBfB
Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 40 lb Braid: bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- Sunline Saltimate System Shock 20 lb: bit.ly/3oT1oq2
FAVORITE SQUAREBILL COMBO...
Rod- Megabass Levante Flat Side Special: bit.ly/2FdE3YY
Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): bit.ly/2apmDJt
Line- Sunline Crank FC 12 lb: bit.ly/3fohguC
FAVORITE LIPLESS COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX PRO 855 CBR: bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL (HG): bit.ly/2ezIBfB
Line- Sufix 131 Braid (30 lb): bit.ly/314VoyF
Leader- Sunline Saltimate Shock 20 lb: bit.ly/3oT1oq2
TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
_________________________________________________________________
*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY...
Trolling Motor- Minn Kota Ultrex Quest: bit.ly/41RErpY
Electronics- Humminbird Apex 13: bit.ly/3pdaK1q
Anchors- Minn Kota Raptors: bit.ly/3iMUrEJ
Camera- GoPro Hero 12: bit.ly/3MwQToy
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…
Favorite sunglasses: bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite Rod Cover: bit.ly/3UewJEx
Favorite life jacket: bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Split Ring Pliers: bit.ly/2fT4Qw0
Favorite Storage Box: bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
________________________________________________________________
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#bassfishing #chatterbait #crankbait

[@Twangtown7]

Tim, don't talk to us northern guys about the long winter. Not while you're sitting in your boat...while wearing shorts. 😅

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

I agree! 😂

[@Christians_outdoors]

It’s time now!

[@douglasspickler4925]

For the most part, it has been a mild quick winter. It's definitely red in the spring, but later in the year, I will occasionally mix some red baits back into my fishing. Thanks for sharing your great information and tips. Excellent.

[@WesleyAPEX]

They’re already spawning in Texas. Red colors work better pre spawn for me.

[@robertritter8444]

Yes which is what it is in most of the country in march or at least approaching

[@nunyabusiness102]

Mowing the lawn is not a good part of spring coming 😉

[@robertdtimmerman]

Agreed…..I stopped mowing 4 years ago. I pay a guy $35 every 2 weeks to mow my huge yard. Best thing about Spring now is fishing with no yard work.

[@300hiker]

@@robertdtimmerman$35 every two weeks for a big yard? That’s a ripoff.

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

lol, yep. I need to get one of those robot mowers. That way I can be at the lake and just command it to mow. That way I don’t have to feel guilty when I get home.

[@johnmango6056]

@@300hikerno it’s not lol. What world r u living in

[@xavierduran9205]

Y’all some LAZY motherfuckers

[@andybales7318]

Not sure im convinced red makes a difference in spring...bunch of fish are being caught on red lures, because everyone's using them...maybe cranks diggin' the bottom, red might resemble craws...see no reason chartreuse wouldn't work just the same for visibility...i may take a red/orange chatterbait & a chartreuse bait this spring doing a little experiment..of course, being a lure junkie i have plenty of red baits....😂 personally, i haven't seen a big difference in numbers of bites...im liking that pumpkin/red chatterbait combo!

[@tommylagebro3458]

red works, also for perch i sweden. but its also the first color that disappeared the deeper you go under water

[@Cornelius798]

I have luck throwing white with red spinnerbaits during early spring. Just ordered a few crawdad color sqaurebills.

[@justyngilliam4051]

My #1 spring time lure is the red rebel crawdad crankbaits. Both the deep diver for lakes, and the smaller ones for the rivers are absolute fish snatchers

[@timdarnell7819]

Smallies love these things

[@MaineStreamFishing]

Green and red trigger feeding response! Its a good color year round and guys just tie it to Spring

[@frankcouste4785]

I just got a kayak and I went out today, but a very first time and fished right off of the tick faw where in this Lil creek arm that you can’t get to by boat I was there about two hours. I got about 10 bites caught five. That was a good day for me. Green, pumpkin Sanko on Texas rig

[@kenseymour5152]

I fish a lake in Michigan jurying the prespawn that is stacked with largemouth you can throw anything in there and get nothing throw a red rattle trap in there a get a bite every time

[@kevingonfishing6023]

can you make a video dedicated to early spring fishing for northern lakes. I get confused when you guys say bass never back track but ive seen bass leave beds and go back deep when we get a few days of super cold nights

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

I’ve seen it too for sure!

[@curtboren5184]

I'm only taking 2 jack hammers (dirty white & Brett's bluegill) and a baby bull gill out to my local spot this morning😎

[@jamesbarron1202]

I see very few crawdads in reservoirs with sandy bottoms in my area. I catch a lot of catfish and never see them in their stomachs either when I fillet them. In other soil types in the smaller private lakes and ponds I do see them and find them in their stomachs.

[@ericoelschlegel7623]

Very informative gonna try it.

[@heavy6355]

Rapala bought 13 fishing that’s why their baits are getting discontinued

[@14seantl]

love throwing red/orange. Been doing it since i was a kid throwng wee craw in the creeks around my part of TN.

[@luckymanshirley7044]

My favorite lake is always about 3 inches of visibility all year round. Muddy water. Jack Hammer works like a charm.

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

💪🏼🔥

[@Demolitiondude]

Got a few red baits. The only one I didn't get bites on is the chatterbait.

[@RafaelRodriguez-wc6zi]

Just bought one today from Walmart can’t wait to try it also got me a Penn rod and reel combo fierce IV I’m trying to catch me some monsters 👹 it matches nice with the red eye because everything is black and red I love it .

[@kicko107]

Early spring, all we throw is redrum redrum redrum redrum.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

The 956 Senko color is great not just in Spring. As water warms I may start with 297 GP Black but if I’m not getting bit I switch to 965 and often that gets me a few fish, particularly if the water is a bit mucky.

[@Dogbone384]

It’s still late winter here in New England … water temps in high 30’s. Still have to wait to throw red baits … and mow lawn… We’re ALL still waiting on the ‘BURN,BURN,BURN.. PAUSE’ swag too!

[@Tvang004]

Not up here in mn 😢😢😢 still going to wait may or something 😢

[@adrianalvarado7407]

My sister has a dog named steward little. I think Tim little would be a good one lol😂. Seriously this channel has been relevant for ever😎🎣

[@robertritter8444]

Who tf is Steward Little

[@SparksFlyin]

It’s been warm in February if this causes them to pull up pre spawn early and we get hit by a bad cold front will they retreat back to winter hideout? Or sit and wait.

[@eddiedamionfitzgeraldricha861]

I friction hate Auto correct!!! I meant to type.... Rapala... Not falls....sorry guys

[@crowe1974]

The Z Man Chatter Spike looks really good on the back of the chatter spike.

[@brianpierson7708]

??😂😂 I know what you mean but someone is going to say something stupid.

[@RonFoltzPhxAZ]

Great stuff, Tim. What size of the Missle Baits Spunk Shad (or chatterbait triaiers in general) do you use? Thanks!

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

4.5 on most chatterbaits, 3.5 on the mini max (which is a smaller chatterbait) we will have some chatter bait videos coming out soon a Pursuit of Game Outdoors! Tight lines buddy!

[@Twangtown7]

Rapala bought 13 Fishing and it looks like they completely demolished their baits. 😡

[@rhodesianhunter9360]

I’ve noticed the river smallmouth where I’m at couldn’t care less about red ( I know it’s a largemouth thing) but really like purple with chartreuse in the spring. For what ever reason our craws get blueish purple pinchers in the spring. Any one out there have luck with smallies and red?

[@timdarnell7819]

I've caught a ton of Smallies on red here in TN. The rebel craws drive them crazy.

[@ArrekBawrrin]

Up in mn I use purple and blue. The craws I see up here have blue pichers so I stick with that. If I'm on a small neighborhood lake or pond I still stick to bluegill and minnow colors

[@mikeschuttinga]

For some reason I catch white bass on small red squarebills in GA. Gonna try some red cranks and spinning bait in AL tomorrow.

[@youtubespanishfishingchann6575]

6 sense lure has nice red too

[@adamangulo7626]

What storage do you use for crankbaits and squarebills

[@evelyntorres9384]

Use the Plano edge box. I have 35+ crankbaits in one box

[@brianhill846]

You could give us the same information in half the time. Shorten it up.

[@JMFishing24]

Do you guys ever use the hybrid hunter for cranking shallow??

[@shawnbeck2303]

I bought 6 Hybrid Hunter Jr's in different colors. One is red in color. Got to start using them. Last fall. What a great bait. This weekend the end of February. The temperature is in the high 60's in Indiana. Hardly any snow this winter. I am going to tie on any bait from orange to fire craw. Spinnerbaits, Chatterbaits, Rat L Traps and KVD 1.5 square Bill's. 6 to 6 to 1 reel. Shawn.

[@JMFishing24]

@@shawnbeck2303 that’s awesome !! Just bought a new hybrid for this spring and it’s the chili craw color. Waiting for the lakes to thaw out but it’s almost time to put it to use !!

[@TripEfishing]

I absolutely loved this video!! And I’m about to break the bank buying all of this now, anything for some spring time giants though! 😅

[@Major_Unit]

Going to try this out in southern Indiana . About that time

[@craqerjaq]

Yeah 2 months before bass fishing is even legal here

[@theperfectbastard451]

Early spring bass fishing? That's nice for you southern boys. I still got snow up in this bitch!

[@F34RRUM]

i watch the whole video waiting for him to use one of them

[@northernbassalliance1442]

Mowing tye lawn doesnt happen in ND spring lol. To much snow drifts still then finally melt and yard is mush till june 🤣

[@littlerich2644]

It’s warming up in Massachusetts. This is just the way to start the weekend 👍

[@Cevan42]

Ha ha. Not gonna being above freezing tomorrow. Still waiting for ice out.

[@lpbass8369]

Ice almost all gone on cape brother

[@Cevan42]

Don’t rub it in as I write this from W Mass.

[@Dogbone384]

I’ll be on Cape this weekend.

[@timgauwitz8173]

Great video Tim! I had a question off the subject, I want an expride for fishing the megabass vision 110s. For the expride 6'10' medium there are 2 actions, moderate and moderate fast.. So which do you guys prefer? Or if some of you viewers know the answer?

[@vansaukam799]

Crayfish emerging from mud and rock will have red and like colors from absorbing these hues...red is also within the cone color spectrum of bass.

[@venomyt6614]

Second 🎉

[@JustInfoYang]

First🎉

[@justonemorecast]

Fun new drinking game, take a shot every time Tim ends a sentence with "right". Don't blame me for alcohol poisoning.

[@mikek3638]

Does this apply to jerkbaits? do you throw red/orange jerkbaits and have you had success with this color pattern in jerkbaits?

[@willhager2951]

Rapala VMC has bought out 13 fishing to put rapala into the rod and reel market. I'm guessing they will change the names of the hard baits or stop making them all together since they have more then couple Rapala hard baits already.

[@ashkhatib7877]

So witch G. Loomus rod for chatter bait I know it’s the BJR but what length and tapper is it when I click the link it doesn’t come up, thanks

[@jayteefishing1543]

I’ve heard red works in spring because that’s when the crawdads come out of their burrows and they get really red/orange while they’re burrowed in the clay mud for the winter time and when they first come out they’re much more red/orange than they usually are which is why red works so well in spring but not any other time.

[@lpbass8369]

Good stuff Tim ,off topic what handle and bearings do you have on your bfs curado .Thanks I do dig those megabass z cranks.

[@eddiedamionfitzgeraldricha861]

Hmmmm. Falls bought 13 Fishing! So that may be why slot of that stuff is selling the way it is....

[@jt_on_youtube]

Rapala bought them, not Pure Fishing

[@shootincoyotes]

13 fishing was purchased by Rapala in late 2023, not sure what the plans are, or if it's going away.

[@lightningmusky5286]

13 had a few good baits. Rapala killing more baits just like the Wiggle wart. We are seeing a ton of consolidation in fishing market.

[@johnnybstuddd4482]

I caught a big female bass full of eggs yesterday that was over 5 lbs on a Bill Lewis Rattle Trap red craw color.

[@kerryschallon8879]

My confidence squarebill is the Lucky Craft in T.O. craw

[@chrisjones3375]

I know Florida when I see it😎

[@bristolbros9816]

hes in tennesee

[@chrisjones3375]

@@bristolbros9816 not with palmettos in the background

[@grantvicknair]

13 got bought out by rapala so the business are prolly condensing and the bait and lure side is prolly getting rebranded to rapala while the reels and rods stay 13

[@tylercrank7729]

If I were to fish in a small 10 foot deep lake would the red craw crankbait be good for that type of location.

[@pure_michigan_angler303]

Most panfish/sunfish species orange up as the Temps raise as well... they color up to attract mates so matches the hatch there as well... especially where pumpkinseeds and yellow perch are, here in michigan of course

[@pure_michigan_angler303]

Strike king tour grade rage blade is the best bladed jig in my opinion... it's incredible, especially prespawn

[@tims_always_fishing7117]

Few years ago i caught 40 on the firecraw hammer in about 2 hours, epic day.

[@gregstott8109]

Thanks for rubbing it in. Low 40s and rain and snow for the next two weeks here 🤮

[@North.Country.Fishing]

Never gotten a single bite on anything red

[@alexfoy5608]

It’s going up to 50s and 60s this week in nj so it’s starting to warm up

[@brianpierson7708]

They need to put the Evo on the Mini Max line that will be the💰💸🤑 bait

[@jenlvjim]

Would you start with the bright red in 6 inches of visibility?

[@MouseRatMullett]

What type of line do you use when you throw a Chatterbait?

[@af4od02]

Ok RED is the color. All the baits you displayed are awesome baits. Please tell why aren’t there red/ orange jigs? No red orange swim jigs, finese jigs, no red orange football jigs? I thought jigs were the ultimate crawfish imitation lure. Why aren’t us bass anglers not fishing red/orange jigs?? Thanks. Excellent video.

[@tacticalbassin]

Um... we are 😂 Red/orange/brown jigs are AWESOME in Spring!

[@demonpittman4804]

Appreciate the info! I will definitely be trying some of these techniques.

[@sunwukongmonkeyking5561]

Thank you Tim and Matt for such informative bass video! I enjoyed all of your videos, I can never get enough!

[@bassinRN]

Up in the Northeast, we are months away from mowing the lawn🥶 We are still throwing blades and jerks up here.

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

Still! Blade baits have been fire 🔥

[@cajunnathan4586]

CRAWfish

[@cajunnathan4586]

Lol

[@matthewbaysinger2823]

What would you use if you lived in colorado

[@SROTV..southernrebeloutdoors]

Tim little what about bama craw or fire craw senko

[@Thefixer123]

Do you do any giveaways?

[@DanaRosasJr.]

When should I be using the Kamikaze SwimOn vs the spunk shad?

[@PursuitofGameOutdoors]

Swimon is good but I’ve found it gets foul hooked on itself all the time (the little holes on the craws always get hooked) stick with the spunk shad 🔥

[@eddiedamionfitzgeraldricha861]

Nm!!!! I'm not typing anymore

[@Ryguy77683]

Stop it with the red baits omg

[@Thefixer123]

Do you have a video on how to fish a chatter bait? I’ve used them, but I’ve never caught anything!

[@northernbassalliance1442]

They probably have 5. Search tactical bassin chatterbait

[@Hunterjones2000]

What temp water is considered spring

[@KayleeG0]

50-65 ish

[@andybales7318]

50 degrees, is my red flag for "spring"

[@vansaukam799]

Consistent low 50s in the main and lower portion of the body of water. We have creeks constantly fed by springs here that are in the high 40s and low 50s throughout the winter.

[@getsome3329]

And..... they're gone!😂

[@kevinbeaudean704]

Thanx Tim. I have a different take on red in spring. Soon as Temps start climbing bass are in a spawning mind set. Red is a aggression trigger for either territory or taking out a predator that will eat their young. The craw theory is crazy because not all waterways have red or even reddish craws. Visibility could help but why doesn't red work as good in summer an fall muddy water. Still looking for that talking bass so I can be sure.

[@300hiker]

This theory of red in spring seems to me more of a muddy water thing than a spring time thing. I’m not sure any craws are ever orange all the time. Just when they are in a certain stage of molting.

[@robstanley8676]

I use red all year long I'm not going to give away how. But it does trigger the predatory responses of the fish because if you think about it blood is red.

[@friendlyfishingguy9556]

13 fishing was bought out by pure fishing

[@jt_on_youtube]

Rapala bought them, not Pure Fishing

[@donprater2754]

Thanks for the info.

[@mikecraig9007]

You two guys are a virtual encyclopedia!

[@gambollo]

Does red baits work in ponds as well? Never seem crawdads on my local ponds

[@jt_on_youtube]

Not really, I was going to ask the same thing. These colors ONLY work if you have actual craw. I live in arkansas, most ponds, rivers and lakes do not even have craw in them. Never caught anything on a red / firecraw in Arkansas

[@gambollo]

@@jt_on_youtube im in south texas. My local ponds usually have blue gills and minnow like bait fish. My go to colors are white or natural colors.

[@Raddy_N]

My local pond doesn’t have crawfish in it but I caught one off a black and blue crawdad plastic working it off the bottom if that helps

[@CritterTheBassGetter]

What if you live in an area without crawdads?

[@jt_on_youtube]

Then it aint gonna work. I was thinking the same. In Arkansas our ponds, rivers, lakes dont have craw, never caught a single fish on a red craw / firecraw unfortunately. Im in Northwest AR, maybe down south they have craw but not around me

[@buzzedfloyd]

I'm late to the party, but the crayfish/crawdad thing might not be the primary factor in this anyway. Bass have photo-receptors keyed in for Red and Green. As a result, red and green are the colors they can pick out most successfully. Interestingly this has some implications that kind of fly in the face of common fishing knowledge. Behavioral studies showed that Bass can be reliably trained/taught to identify green and red over similarly intense shades of other colors as well as white and black, but they can not reliably differentiate between chartreuse and white, or blue and black. This suggests that when we all throw chartreuse we might as well throw white, and that a black and blue jig looks just black. There is very likely more to this than just what the studies were able to determine (maybe a black and blue jig is different intensities of black and that is why is works as well or better? Who knows) but as far as red goes, the results are pretty clear. Red gets picked out easier than most other colors by a bass. Why people seem to have more luck with red in the spring vs the rest of the year might just be selection bias, or the fish might start to get more sensitive to those bold, obvious colors later in the season. Who knows. Long story short. No crayfish, no problem. Try it anyway.

[@Fishboy68]

ThanksTim ,there is so much attention on color.Keep in mind bass do not see colors the same way we do.Contrasting colors ,size,profile,vibration,sound,flash,speed are all much more important.Years ago lure color was very basic and they all caught fish.Now color is more about catching fisherman.Anyone who does not think that the love of money is not out of pocket in this day and age, they definatly have no clue.Tight lines thanks again for sharing.

[@FishingThePNW]

That's actually wrong. Most recent studies insist that bass actually do see color. They respond the most to red and green. But regardless, the whole point of throwing red is to mimic the color profile of the crawdad. If they are red, and you throw a red bait, it looks the same and more natural to the bass. Also, regardless of whether you believe that they see red or not, it is still more visible to them in dirtier water so all the points in this video apply.

[@Ryguy77683]

To catch bass it isn't what lure you use it's where the fish are ..bass would eat a cigarette butt if you put it in front of there face facts

[@XboxROOSTERman]

Eh

[@Trump2024musthappen]

Bass can see green and red . So I’m definitely going to throw the red in spring more this year .

[@Duster_Garage]

If it ain’t red, it stays in the shed. 🦞

[@kti_goodygoober2879]

Nah