Best Pre-Spawn Flies for Big Smallmouth Bass
Pre-spawn smallmouth season is one of the most exciting times of year to chase bronze. But what flies should you throw during the pre-spawn?
Fish are aggressive, hungry, and often willing to travel for a well-placed fly. But what you throw—and where you throw it—makes all the difference.
In this post, we’ll break down what pre-spawn is, what temperatures to watch for, and the best flies to tie on when the bite’s heating up.
What is the Pre-Spawn?
The pre-spawn period is the stretch of time before smallmouth bass move onto their beds to spawn. During this phase, bass are focused on feeding heavily to prepare for the rigors of the spawn. They’re often found staging near their eventual spawning sites—gravel flats, transition zones, and shoreline drop-offs—making them highly catchable if you know what to look for.
The pre-spawn is one of the most active times of the year for smallmouth bass. They are beginning to wake from their winter-time slumbers and are on the prowl for food. They need to store up energy for the spawn and need to pack on the calories in order to be prepared. This can create a feeding frenzy unlike any other part of the year.
Many anglers claim that this is their favorite part of the smallmouth season and it’s hard to disagree. I’ve had some of my best days on the water during the pre-spawn, not only catching numbers of smallies, but also sheer size.
For anglers in cold parts of the country, it’s also the first time you’re out on the water after your own winter fishing hibernation. The combination of being back on the water and active fish is hard to beat!
What Temperature do Smallmouth Pre-Spawn?
Pre-spawn typically begins when water temps rise into the mid-to-upper 40s (°F), and it intensifies as it approaches the mid-50s. In rivers, this window can vary based on flow, sun exposure, and overall weather trends. That said, once you see consistent temps in the 48–55°F range, expect things to pop off.
In my area, 50 degrees seems to be a good marker of pre-spawn activity. The fish start to feed aggressively and as it climbs, the action only gets better.
Springtime weather can also be very unpredictable- you’ll have a stretch of chilly days followed by (seemingly) random 75 degree days that feel like summertime. That paired with occasional rainstorm and even snow shower can swing water temperatures in one way or the other.
These erratic weather changes make it vital that you carry a thermometer during the pre-spawn. Knowing the temperature of the water you’re fishing can give you a much better idea of whether or not the fish will be active. It can also help you determine which areas to fish.
I wouldn’t necessarily worry about the exact water temperatures, but rather general patterns. For example, I’ve found that at that 50 degree mark I mentioned earlier, fish are more willing to chase down flies stripped aggressively. Anything below 50, I focus more on slower presentations in deeper water.
Those patterns may differ in your area, but honing in on those water temps and making note of how the fish behave can give you a significant advantage. Carry a thermometer around with you, take a few readings throughout your day, and you’ll begin to see the patterns that work for you.
So now that you know that the pre-spawn is kicking off, what flies should you throw?
Best Pre-Spawn Flies
Baitfish Patterns
During the pre-spawn, smallmouth bass are on the hunt for high-calorie meals to fuel up before the spawn—making baitfish imitations some of your best options. These flies imitate the juvenile perch, shad, sculpins, and other forage that smallies love to chase.
As smallies pack on the calories for the spawn, baitfish patterns imitate nutrient dense, highly accessible meals. While other flies like crayfish patterns may be more effective in other times of the year, I’ve found the pre-spawn to be a baitfish game.
The exact fly may not be vital for success- it’s more about profile, depth, and ultimately the confidence you have in that fly. Here are a few of my favorite baitfish flies to throw during the pre-spawn.
Clouser Minnow
The Clouser is a time-tested baitfish fly with dumbbell eyes that give it a jigging action. The heavier eyes also allow you to get down deeper where fish may be holding as the water temps start to climb.
It’s perfect for probing deeper pockets or working along rocky ledges. Fish it with a strip-pause retrieve and let the jigging motion trigger reaction strikes.
My favorite combinations are chartreuse over white and olive over white. The chartreuse can be a little more attention-grabbing while the olive is a more muted, natural color scheme.
If you’re looking for classic pre-spawn flies to throw, look no further than the Clouser Minnow!
Lefty’s Deceiver
This classic pattern offers a larger profile with great movement in the water. The longer hackle used as tails give it a great side-to-side kick which mimics a more natural swimming action.
Long, slow strips or even a steady two-handed retrieve can make it dance.
For colors, I like blue over white or chartreuse over white. I’ll also throw black over purple for stained or muddy water to make it stand out more when the water clarity is poor.
Gamechanger
This articulated fly brings unmatched movement. Multiple shanks throughout the fly allow it to wiggle side-to-side, giving it unique action that other flies simply cannot replicate.
The thicker, more dense materials also push a lot of water. The Gamechanger is a great pattern to throw in darker, stained water when fish use their lateral lines to find prey. The disturbance that the Gamechanger creates in the water column can help fish find your fly when visibility is low.
Fish it on an intermediate or sinking line with long pauses between strips to let the fly work its magic.
I like Gamechangers in natural colors and also tie them in loud, gaudy schemes like pink. The combination of disturbing water and vibrant colors can elicit reaction strikes, especially when other forage is difficult to see in murky waters.
Murdich Minnow
The Murdich Minnow is a versatile, flashy baitfish fly that holds its shape in the water and works well on both floating and intermediate lines. It’s ideal for fishing along seams and shallow flats with a steady, pulsing retrieve.
With a slightly different profile and action than the other baitfish flies we’ve mentioned, the Murdich Minnow is another very effective baitfish pattern that should be in your box. This fly kicks and wiggles, paired with a brush head that pushes some water. A great fly for clear to slightly stained water.
Wisco Cisco
Designed to mimic larger-bodied baitfish, the Wisco Cisco shines during the pre-spawn. It’s a great fly to throw at hungry, aggressive fish that really want a meal. It suspends well and has a broad, visible profile—great for off-color water or deeper pre-spawn holding areas.
The Wisco Cisco is similar to the Murdich Minnow, but has a more flowy, broader head profile. I like to tie mine with Laser and Ice Dubbing, which gives the fly (in my opinion) a tantalizing action and helps push water and kick side to side.
Wisco Ciscos are fun to fish and have become one of my go-to flies for hungry pre-spawn smallmouth.
Craft Fur Baitfish
Simple, lightweight, and full of movement, the Craft Fur Baitfish is a great option when you want something that flows naturally and pushes just the right amount of water. It’s easy to tie, casts well, and excels on an intermediate line.
The Craft Fur dances with flowing movement that pulsates through the water. This gives the fish a meal that is large, visible, and consumable.
Tying the Craft Fur Baitfish is also a breeze once you get the technique down. You’ll be able to tie it in a million different sizes and color combinations, allowing you to create customizable flies that match your local forage.
Bottom Bouncers
While pre-spawn smallmouth flies generally revolve around baitfish, you gotta have a few bottom bouncers in your box. When the fish are a little more lethargic, particularly earlier in the season, bottom bouncers are essential.
When smallies are glued to the bottom or the water’s still cold and clear, bottom-hugging flies can outperform flashier baitfish patterns. These flies crawl, hop, and dig into the substrate—just like a crayfish.
Clawdad
The Clawdad has big claws and a jiggy posture that screams “easy meal.” Fish it with slow hops along gravel bottoms, or let it tumble through deeper runs. It’s deadly in clear, rocky rivers.
While it’s tempting to strip the Clawdad aggressively and let the tail work its magic, it’s best fished very slowly and methodically. Slow strips and long drifts are where this fly shines. You can even fish it very effectively under a bobber.
Tie the Clawdad in crawfish-like colors: brown, black, and olive are tried and true winners.
Wooly Buggers
Simple, timeless, and ridiculously effective. A Wooly Bugger can mimic a leech, baitfish, or crayfish depending on how it’s fished. Use slow, twitchy retrieves in deep runs, bounce it off bottom structure, or strip it like a baitfish. There’s really now way to fish a Wooly Bugger incorrectly!
Where to Target Pre-Spawn Smallmouth
As water temps start climbing into the high 40s and low 50s, smallies begin leaving their wintering holes and staging in transition areas that offer a mix of comfort, current breaks, and access to food.
Knowing where to find them—and how to fish those areas—can make all the difference.
I’ll throw in some fly recommendations as well for these areas but at the end of the day, go with the fly you have the most confidence in!
Deep Pools Near Spawning Flats
Pre-spawn smallmouth will often hold in the deeper portions of pools that are close to gravelly spawning flats. These areas give them protection from fast current and quick access to shallower water as things warm up.
Fish a Clouser Minnow or Craft Fur Baitfish on a sink-tip line, letting it drop before starting a strip-pause retrieve along the depth change.
If they’re glued to the bottom, try slowly hopping a Clawdad or Wooly Bugger through the deepest part of the run.
Rocky Transitions and Ledges
Smallies love to stage where rocky structure meets slower water. These edges concentrate both baitfish and crayfish, making them prime ambush spots. A Murdich Minnow or Lefty’s Deceiver stripped through a rocky current seam can pull aggressive strikes.
If the fish are hugging tight, bounce a Wooly Bugger or Clawdad along the bottom, especially near submerged chunk rock or boulders.
Inside Bends and Eddies
As rivers curve, slower water collects on the inside of bends, creating soft seams and current breaks. These spots are key staging zones, especially when paired with nearby cover like timber or undercut banks. A Gamechanger fished just off the seam or a Wisco Cisco slow-stripped through the slack can get eaten by smallies waiting in ambush.
Seams Below Riffles
Below riffles and shallow runs, the water typically slows down and deepens slightly—creating perfect holding water for pre-spawn bass. These feeding lanes are ideal for suspending patterns like the Murdich Minnow, especially when paired with a moderate sink tip. Cast across and swing through the seam before adding strips. If they’re sulking, drop a Wooly Bugger and let it dead-drift along the bottom before twitching it back in.
Seams below riffles are also a great target to throw a Wooly Bugger or Clawdad under a bobber and let it drift down the seam. Throw it at the top of the riffle and let it drift down toward the deeper water.
Your fly will have a very natural presentation and smallies will have to react quickly. I’ve found this to be very effective, especially early in the season when fish want something easy to eat.
Submerged Structure
When pre-spawn fish want cover, they’ll tuck into downed trees, log jams, or root wads—especially in slow side channels. These spots are tight, so accurate casting and flies with good action at low speeds shine. Use a Craft Fur Baitfish or Clawdad to creep through these ambush zones with short, controlled strips.
Beating the banks where structure is hanging over is a prime target during the pre-spawn. Smallies may stack around these areas as they look for spawning grounds. Throw your fly at any structure you can find and you’ll end up with a tight line!
Conclusion
The pre-spawn window offers some of the most exciting and rewarding smallmouth fishing of the year. If you understand where the fish are staging and approach them with the right flies—whether it’s a baitfish pattern they’ll chase or a bottom crawler they can’t resist—you’re going to have success.
More than anything, go in with confidence and fish the patterns that give you the most belief. The fish can feel that. Pre-spawn is short, but sweet—so make it count!
