I moved back to East Texas. I haven't freshwater fished in 15 years. I get to fish a private pond on Saturday the 19th. We are starting at 7am, and the weather forecast is good. However, it will be in the low 40s when we start. Typical east Texas water its a 20 acre lake, tea colored water, standing timber, depths to 18ft.
I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what baits to start with.

Sounds like a great trip. A private pond in Spring in E Texas sounds like a good start.

I would start with a spinnerbait or SB crank if weed growth is not an issue and see if they are up on the banks and running around or not. If no luck I would again hit those banks with something slower like a big worm or crawbait on a Trig. No luck look for fish out a bit deeper and consider a lipless crank or working that worm near cover near likely spawning areas.

Dont put that spinnerbait down though as the day goes on and the water warms they will get more frisky up on the banks and a spinnerbait is hard to beat in spring when they get shallow.

Thats a start... but I would try some different stuff until they tell you want they want. They should be fairly easy to pattern this time of year in a 20 acre pond.

Let us know how it goes and post some pics up mate!

Straight line Senko, no weight, throw it up on the bank and drag it back in.

^ yup!!!

Agreed the senko would be hard to beat.

If only one...1/0 or 3/0 owner flashy swimmer and just quickly change out the plastic/color


... paddle tail, split tail, craw, worm. dragging it thru the thickest vegetation in 2 to 3 feet of water that wind is blowing into.



https://www.fishusa.com/Owner-Flash...616000893&utm_content=All%20Products

Chatter bait fire craw with a blue craw or delta red craw. If water is muddy go with white with blue black craw. Or wacky rigged senko.

Dupont spinner

Weightless fluke!

I’ll be fishing a small east Texas lake that is a bigger version. Last week water temps were 57 to 61 but no beds. All my bites were on a white spinnerbait along the edges of grass. Tomorrow I’m deadsticking a senko in the grass edge pockets and under shoreline buck brush. One rod is rigged weight less the other has a split shot. If their not home I’ll pick up the spinnerbait.

Good luck

Yamamoto 5" Senko in the color Green Pumpkin ( Weightless)

^^^

Senko or Fluke in spawning areas. Weightless or if the wind is blowing mini mini Carolina rig

Flipping a Lizard with a rattle 🎣

A-rig w/ 1/2 oz heads 5" paddle tail swimbaits attached on 80 lb braid....kidding of course!

Senko, baby brush hog, or t-rig worm / beaver would be my go baits

Colors:
Black / blue
Green Pumpkin
Watermelon red