I really have no clue when the bass fishing will start up again. I'm not even out of high school, so I don't have the option to go to Lake Fork. Instead, I go to local ponds and occasionally Lake Lewisville or Grapevine for some bank fishing. So help out a rookie: when should I plan to go out and what should I use for early spring bass fishing?

pond bass are getting on their beds now, good time to sight fish.

Ponds should be good by now. I was on a big lake today and couldn't figure them out. Guess the cold snap we had hurt. Still couple days early.

Anyway ponds should be good.

Watched a DD and a couple bucks on sunday getting close. Will be spawning by the end of the week. Caught a good 6 lurking in the shallows

past time young man...fish ever day you can get away with...there are only so many day's under the sun...this time of year in the ponds I start with a spinnerbait - fish it near the top, middle, bottom...if that fails go to a jig with pork or plastic...if that fails a rapala floating minnow slow twitched...then a sinko...if that fails go get a Jungle Burger from Burger Island and try again the next day...LOL Good luck !

- Fish everyday you can starting now.
- Get hip waders to get you off the bank so you can fish parallel with the bank.
- Wal Mart carries the Mepps Black Fury in a # 3. This is a inline spinner and is as good as it gets on the Spring Bass, in 1 to 2 ft. of water.

I would use a texas rigged finesse worm or trick worm weightless.

The ponds in Lewisville are NOT going yet. There's a crystal clear one 2 minutes from me that I caught at least 100 fish of off beds in last spawn, I haven't seen a single bed yet.

Sam _I_Am
If you ever get the opportunity to make it down to fork, send me a message. I will be glad to take you out on the lake for a good day of fishing.
Best of luck this year

not yet.

I fish a place regularly that is mid size between a pond and a lake, big enough to put a bass boat on, but not big enough to be considered a small lake, depths of 20' in most of it, anyway - yesterday was the best day I have had out there since early in November, me and my nephew caught over 10 fish, most on a buzzbait around 6-7pm and the fish are moving in shallow out there. I would think the lakes are a few weeks from that. I went on Monday and only caught one, so it can change in a hurry. Today's weather may not help but it will warm back up soon and the moon phase will be perfect this weekend.

The best time to go out is WHEN YOU CAN! Spring time fishing is what you make of it. I might go out and not catch anything and you might go out and do really good. Don't hold back on going waiting for other people to tell you when. YOU might be able to tell US! Don't get stuck on BED or SPAWN fish. Some of the best fishing can be for the staging fish that are feeding up. Just GO AND HAVE FUN! It's better than staying at the house dreaming of what could have been.
As for the lures that depends on how much room you have to fish and your lake. A weightless Wacky Worm or weightless Senko (Texas Rigged)is very deadly as the water starts to warms up. If you can cover water a small spinnerbait can work to help find them and then slow down with the soft plastics. Also, don't forget lightly weighted (1/8 oz or even 1/16) Lizards are very good. Colors would depend on your lake. For the Trickworms and Senko's the Greens generally do good overall. (Green Pumpkin, Watermelon, etc..) As for the lizards the Black/blue Flake, Black Blue Tail and Watermelon, or Green Pumpkin are good to start with. I am sure that your lake has specific HOT colors too.
ALSO don't be afraid to try the Bubble Gum or Methiolate Trick worms weightless in shallow water in spawning areas.