Jig and Minnow for Prespawn Bass in Drains

Justin Cooper breaks down how to target prespawn bass using a jig and minnow in drains while leveraging forward-facing sonar to locate suspended fish. As bass transition from deep water toward spawning flats, understanding how they use ditches and creek channels can make all the difference.

WHY DRAINS ARE KEY FOR PRESPAWN BASS

Drains, also called ditches, serve as natural migration routes for prespawn bass moving from deeper water toward spawning flats. These areas provide a direct path for bass, allowing them to follow baitfish while transitioning to their spawning grounds. Since baitfish concentrate in these zones, bass use them as staging areas before fully committing to the shallows.

Bass behavior in drains can change daily, influenced by water temperature, bait movement, and overall conditions. Cooper notes that fish can shift quickly, sometimes relocating between ten and twenty feet of water within just a few hours. To stay on active fish, it’s crucial to cover water efficiently while using LiveScope to monitor their real-time movement.

TARGETING SUSPENDED BASS WITH FORWARD-FACING SONAR

LiveScope allows anglers to track fish behavior and precisely present their bait. Cooper focuses on casting past his target and retrieving the bait just above the fish’s head, ensuring it stays within the strike zone. A subtle twitching motion makes the bait appear more natural, mimicking the movement of injured baitfish.

Since bass are constantly on the move, finding areas where baitfish are present increases the likelihood of hooking into quality fish. Cooper explains that LiveScope helps him determine whether bass are actively feeding or simply passing through, allowing for better decision-making on when to stay or move on.

JIG AND MINNOW SETUP FOR PRESAWN BASS

Cooper relies on a four-inch XPS Rocking Shad, with Green Gizzard Shad and Albino Pearl being his go-to colors. He pairs this bait with a seven-foot-one-inch medium-light spinning rod, providing the right sensitivity and control balance. A Bass Pro Shops Platinum Signature Series reel allows for smooth retrieves, while a fifteen-pound braid to a twelve-pound fluorocarbon leader ensures optimal strength and castability.

This setup is designed for precision, making long casts while maintaining a lifelike bait presentation. The goal is to keep the jig and minnow moving naturally through the water and trigger bass without overpowering the bait with excessive movement.

ADAPT AND KEEP MOVING

Prespawn bass don’t stay in one place for long, so constantly adjusting to their movements is critical. Cooper stresses the importance of staying mobile, explaining that it’s best to relocate if an area holds too many catfish or lacks bait activity. Forward-facing sonar plays a key role in this strategy, helping identify active fish rather than wasting time on unproductive water.

By continuously scanning for bait, making precise casts, and adjusting based on fish behavior, anglers can stay in tune with the prespawn migration and increase their chances of success.

BOAT SETUP

BOAT – Ranger Z521R Commanche: Check out at Ranger
OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury
TROLLING MOTOR – Garmin Force Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
GRAPHS – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
FISH FINDER – Garmin GPSMAP Touch-Screen Fish Finder/Chartplotter Combo, 12-inch: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR: Power Pole 8 ft. Blades: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse