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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine


Dr. Jason Halfen, The Technological Angler

Bassmaster Elite touring pro Stephen BrowningBassmaster Elite touring pro Stephen Browning

The bass pre-spawn period is a time of anticipation and transition.

Largemouth and spotted bass slide out of their deeper, thermally-stable wintering holes and begin a systematic movement toward the warming shallows, where they will binge feed in preparation for the rigors of spawning.

Along the way, tempestuous spring weather can cause bass to hit the pause button, or even find their reverse gear, delaying their progress or even causing bass to restart from scratch. Yes, we know where the bass will begin this springtime transition period, and we also know where it will end, but that in-between region, in which bass are hyper-sensitive and on the move – that’s what separates the contenders from the pretenders.

Bassmaster Elite touring pro Stephen Browning is no stranger to success in early season tournaments. The 10-time qualifier for the Bassmaster Classic has racked up an impressive number of wins by targeting cold water, pre-spawn bass, including a recent victory at the 2018 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Central Open on Ross Barnett Reservoir. With career earnings in excess of $1.3 million, Browning knows a thing or two about targeting big bass when big bucks are on the line.

Here is his favorite early season bass pattern, which is as simple as 1-2-3.

Step 1: Crank the outer edge

Browning begins his search for pre-spawn bass by getting off the main lake and heading into tributaries and creek arms. “I am looking for the first channel swing bank as the creek channel runs from the main lake toward the back of the bay,” remarked Browning.

The same thing applies on natural lakes where deep water makes an inside turn against potential spawning flats.

Channel swing banks are, quite simply, areas where a submerged creek channel changes direction as it runs close to the bank. The steep, hard-bottomed outer edge of the creek channel is one location that focuses pre-spawn bass activity. Any given bay or creek arm might feature several of these key structural features, and Browning works them from the mouth of the bay to the back end.

LIVETARGET HFC CrankbaitLIVETARGET HFC Crankbait

Browning, an established crankbait aficionado, begins dissecting these channel swing banks by throwing LIVETARGET HFC (Hunt for Center) Craws, lures designed with an off-center tracking action that causes the lure to randomly dart left or right, mimicking a fleeing crawfish in an evasive, bite-triggering retreat.

Step 2: Jerk the inside edge

Not all bass will relate to the steep, outer edge of the creek channel as it bends close to shore. Indeed, many fish will frequently transition out of the channel along its more gradual, inside edge. To target these pre-spawners, Browning selects a long, slender LIVETARGET Yearling Baitball Jerkbait 110, which features an in-line grouping of baby baitfish, effectively simulating a small group of bait that has been separated from the school. Its unique three-dimensional design creates a multitude of flash points and delivers a shimmering presentation that attracts the attention of any nearby bass.

Browning adds, “my approach with the Yearling Baitball Jerkbait is somewhat different than the presentation I use with the HFC Craw. Rather than paralleling the bank, I make long casts at a 45-degree angle to the bank, working the bait back with a regular cadence including some long pauses. The Yearling Baitball Jerkbait suspends perfectly on the pause, which drives neutral fish crazy. In these situations, I’m typically throwing the silver/black or gold/black color patterns.”

Step 3: Bump the stumps in the back

Browning continues to run these type of channel swing banks all the way toward the back end of the creek arm, until the submerged channel becomes less well defined and flattens out. At that point, it’s time to cover water and fan cast the flat with an attention-getting lipless rattlebait.

In the back ends of the bays, Browning selects the ½-ounce LIVETARGET Golden Shiner Rattlebait, a sinking, lipless bait sporting a loud internal rattle and an aggressive, vibrating action. Browning notes that, “as I patrol the flat, I pay particular attention to the presence of submerged wood. I’ll make repeated casts into those areas, being sure to bump the stumps several times with either pearl/olive or silver/black Golden Shiner Rattlebaits.”

Use his early season tips to crank, jerk, and bump your way to springtime bass success!