Patterning Small Lakes for Early Season Largemouth Bass (Jerkbait + Jigworm)

Largemouth Bass Fishing can be tough in cold conditions early in the fishing season – especially in Illinois. Some guys like to drag jigs… others like to pull a Carolina rig… but in my case, we have to navigate the rocks and the leftover MUCK. On smaller lakes, it can be difficult to develop any sort of pattern… but… can you develop a pattern on smaller lakes?

Sure you can.

Today we’ll be fishing a certain KIND of lake with a certain kind of structure, with a jigworm, a chatterbait, and a jerkbait. I have never actually caught a largemouth bass on a jerkbait… but that ends today!

I’ve had a Lucky Craft SK 80 (Stacey King) Jerkbait in Ghost Olive Green Shiner. Absolutely killer looking little bait. Nowadays I think I’ll have to look into the Lucky Craft Pointers as this bait has been discontinued… but it finally produced a big ‘ol chonk for me.

The jigworm was a stout little combo – half of a Lunkerhunt Lunker Stick on a Mustad Grip Pin Jig. I love these jigs because they are a little more stout and don’t bend as easily as lightwire hooks – some of which bent straight on mean ‘ol Mr. Smalljaw last year and cost me a few quality fish.

:::::GEAR LINKS:::::
Mustad Grip Pin Jig
Lunkerhunt Lunker Sticks
Lucky Craft USA Pointer 100 SP
Z-Man CrossEyeZ Chatterbait
Z-Man RaZor ShadZ

So let’s get out there and fish some cold water, and see if we can put together a bit of an early season pattern that will help us put more fish in the boat! … er… on the shore!

Quick little update on the homefront as well in this one as we continue to work and save up so that we can sell, move south, get a boat and a slip and get to learning all about Bull Shoals, Arkansas.

Let’s get to grinding.

Godspeed, Patriots.

Patterning Small Lakes for Early Season Largemouth Bass (Jerkbait + Jigworm)

CONDITIONS:
Location: Northern Illinois
Time of Year: First Week of May – Afternoon
Weather: Cold Overcast w/ Drizzle
Air Temperature: 50°F

PRESENTATIONS:
Power Rig: Baitcaster w/ Z-Man CrossEyeZ Chatterbait w/ Z-Man RaZor ShadZ Trailer (both Fire Craw color) and Lucky Craft USA Pointer 100 SP
Finesse Rig: Spinning Rod w/ 1/16 oz Mustad Jig (alt: Berkley Weedless Wacky Hook) & Lunkerhunt Lunker Stick

Oh hey, check this out – if you are working on a rod repair, grab this free checklist – I guarantee it will help you out!

Let’s get better.

Thank you Readers!

Thanks for visiting! I’m going to keep doing everything possible to keep the helpful content coming, and FREE FOR EVERYONE… but I need your help. Please chip in by making a small monthly contribution to keep this site alive & growing. $4.96 will buy a sweet Pack ‘o Dingers, and with it, I promise to catch many bass in your honor. Thanks. You are a gentleman & a scholar! -AJ

Sure, I’ll Pitch in for a Pack ‘o Dingers!