Top 5 Ice Out Lures you NEED to Throw!

Do the 50 degree days in the Michiana Region 10-day forecast have anyone else excited? I do not know if we will be open water fishing in the next 10 days, but if the weather trend continues, it won't be too long! 

As the ice melts off the lake and bass fishing season begins, it's crucial to have the right baits in your tackle box. Here are the top 5 baits that will help you reel in some big bass once the ice has thawed.

1. Jig and soft plastic trailer 

The jig and pig combo is a classic choice for bass fishing post ice melt. This bait mimics crawfish, a favorite meal of bass during this time of year. The jig provides a realistic movement in the water, while the pig trailer adds bulk and attracts the attention of hungry bass. It is ESSENTIAL to choose a trailer with limited movement while the water is in the 30s-40s. I like to thread a Berkley Chigger Craw onto a 3/8 ounce Primal jig. Every color we produce for the Primal jig serves a purpose, but black and blue seems to shine in cold water. I still throw natural colors like green pumpkin and magic craw in clear water though too. Picking the bottom apart with a jig is tedious, but it gets BIG bites. 

2. Lipless Crankbait

When the ice has melted and the water is still cold, bass tend to be more sluggish. A lipless crankbait is an excellent choice as it can be retrieved at various speeds to entice bass in different activity levels. The rattling noise produced by the bait also helps attract bass in murky post-ice melt waters. The major benefit to a lipless crank is you can cover water. The bass do not want to move around a ton when the water temps are below 50, but the tight wobble from a lipless crankbait still seems to get bit even while reeled in at relatively high speeds. It is a great search tool. You can cover water, get 1-2 bites and then slow down with a jig or some of the other baits coming up next...

3. Blade Bait

Blade baits are highly effective for ice out fishing, especially when targeting smallmouth (although largies love them too). The vibrating action and flash of a blade bait can attract fish from a distance, making it a go-to lure in cold water conditions. This is a great in-between bait. It can be fished fast or slow. It is one of my favorite baits to catch numbers and big ones while being relatively efficient in cold water. 

4. Jerkbait

As the water temperature begins to rise after the ice melt, bass become more active and aggressive. A jerkbait is an ideal choice during this time, as its erratic movements imitate a wounded baitfish, triggering a predatory response from bass. Work the jerkbait with sharp twitches to mimic a struggling fish. Long pauses are key when the ice has just melted, but there are days when they really want to see you crank it. Experiment with different retrieves until you figure out what the bass want that specific day. 

5. Finesse swimbait

Finally, one of my absolute favorites in recent years. Kevin VanDam himself told me to try a 2.8" rage swimmer while I was fishing his backyard pond one day. The water was still super cold, and the fish were not active. We tried a ton of different tactics and caught a few fish, but the smallmouth went absolutely wild when I tied a little swimbait up! A 3/16 ounce BAFA F8 jig head with a 2.8" rage swimmer can be absolutely magical during the spring. It is another bait that you can fish at a decent pace, or really slow down to a crawl if they are being finicky. 

The weather has me hopeful! It was looking bleak there for a bit, but maybe we will wind up getting out on open water sooner than I thought! Give these 5 baits a try during your first outing this year!