- Look in shallow water for both smallmouth and largemouth bass in the spring. Smallmouth bass are most closely associated with rocky or gravel areas where they find crayfish, their preferred forage at all times of the year. They also will hold around logs or log jams. Largemouth bass, meanwhile, will be on areas with a firm bottom but they do not necessarily need to be rocky. Largemouths will seek shallow cover like emergent or submerged vegetation, boat docks, or trees that overhang the surface or that have fallen into the water.
- Cast spinnerbaits for both smallmouth and largemouth bass in the spring in Oregon. On sunny days, choose smaller spinnerbaits that weigh one-quarter of an ounce. The best colors on sunny days are natural ones, like greens and browns, or translucent ones. Use heavier spinnerbaits that weigh three-eighths of an ounce on cloudy days or when the water is murky. In these situations, solid colors are best. Cast the spinnerbait out and retrieve it quickly, as the bass should be active. Whenever you can, make the spinnerbait bump into the cover, whether that be rocks, vegetation or timber. The erratic action caused by doing so is likely to prompt a strike from a nearby bass.
- Casting shallow-running crankbaits into the shallows is also a good method for taking both species of bass in Oregon in the spring. Do not be shy about casting your crankbait into and through cover. While you may get snagged, that is where the fish are. Additionally, bass in such cover rarely see baits like crankbaits, so they may hit them especially hard. Like spinnerbaits, it is important to make contact with the cover with crankbaits as much as you can. If you are targeting smallmouth bass specifically and there is not much cover around, make sure the bill of the crankbait hits the bottom as you retrieve the lure. This is a good way to make your crankbait imitate a crayfish, which smallmouths in Oregon will be keying on in the spring.
- Sling slow-moving lures like small jigs and plastic worms along gravel points for smallmouth bass. These areas are common on lakes and rivers throughout Oregon. Gravel points give smallmouths an underwater highway from shallow water to deep water, and can hold large numbers of fish. Work the bait along the bottom to mimic a crayfish. Use jigs that weigh from one-eighth of an ounce to one-quarter of an ounce and a plastic worm that resembles the color of a crayfish.
- Hit the shallow cover on lakes and rivers in Oregon that have it. Shallow vegetation, trees and boat docks all will attract largemouth bass in the spring. The fish will hold tight to the cover on sunny days, especially. Pitch a jig that weighs one-quarter to three-eighths of an ounce into and around the cover. Allow it to sink to the bottom, then give it a couple of jerks with your rod tip. If a bass does not hit within a few seconds, reel your jig back in and pitch it to another spot.
