Gear Checklist for the Warm Spring Surge in February

Gear Checklist for the Warm Spring Surge in February

Foreword

The cold January spring season has come to an end, and in February, temperatures will show a gradual warming trend. In my area, daytime temperatures have already reached 55°F–70°F. Continuous warming means that bass will move further from deep water toward warmer spawning areas, making this one of the easiest seasons of the year to catch them. To this end, I have made some preparations, and I am very willing to share my gear checklist with everyone.

Lures I Will Use in February

Although temperatures are gradually rising and bass are becoming more active than before—starting to suspend and move away from their original underwater cover and structure—what I want to say is that bass in transition will not chase your lures as aggressively as you might imagine. High-reward food sources remain their primary food supply. What you need to do is use larger swimbaits as much as possible to keep them in the bass's strike zone.

Therefore, when I saw the SwimShad Glide Baits on the Bassdash website, I chose them without hesitation. This is an affordably priced glide bait with excellent performance. To be precise, it is an elongated glide bait with a body length of 7 inches and a weight of 2.2 oz. The slender body design means less water resistance, and it uses its own weight to maintain inertial momentum, creating an S-shaped swimming action during the retrieve. I have tested this lure; each glide can reach about 1 ft, and its rhythm is slow, making it particularly suitable for staying within the bass's strike zone.

I also conducted tests using the 6th Sense Draw glide bait, and the two are nearly identical in terms of glide distance and smoothness. Whether on a fast or slow retrieve, it maintains great balance without rolling over or deforming its swimming posture, because Bassdash built a steel ball structure into this lure. Of course, the sound from the knocking chamber can attract bass from a distance, an irresistible temptation for high-activity fish. Additionally, the SwimShad comes in dozens of 3D painted color schemes, allowing you to choose based on temperature and water clarity. Finally, when faced with the prices—$39.99 for the Draw versus $11.98 for the SwimShad—the Bassdash SwimShad Glide Bait is the reason I chose it without hesitation.

I live near the Toledo Bend Reservoir system in Louisiana, which is well known for producing giant bass and hosting various B.A.S.S. events every year. In late January, I spotted tracks of bluegill activity near the docks, which is a great sign. Since bluegill are a primary food source for bass, what we need to do now is have our lures simulate these bluegill as closely as possible.

For this, I prepared a multi-jointed hard bait from Bassdash called the SwimPanfish. This is a hard bait with extremely high realism; I really like its 3D painting and joint design. Its joints move away from traditional metal hinge designs and use a webbing-like material, making the joints more flexible. Regarding the tear resistance of this material, I conducted multiple pull tests, proving its tear resistance and durability are excellent. Additionally, by discarding the traditional metal hinge and using more durable ABS material for the body, the total weight comes to 0.85 oz, allowing this lure to enter the strike zone with a slow-falling posture. When using this type of bait, we try to maintain a slow retrieve as much as possible, letting the bait move laterally in front of the bass. Finally, this lure, priced at only $9.98, is destined to be a permanent guest in my February tackle box.

What We Wear in February

In addition to lures, in gradually warming weather—especially during midday when the temperature rises fastest—you don't want to miss those critical two or three hours in the afternoon. If you don't want to get burned by the sun's UV rays while staying cool, comfortable, and maintaining casting mobility, a comfortable sun protection hoodie is indispensable.

Last summer, I purchased two products from Bassdash: the Men’s UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Fishing Hoodie with UV Neck Gaiter FS06M, and the Men's UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Fishing Shirt FS01M. I use the Long Sleeve Fishing Hoodie when I need full-spectrum protection; it has UPF 50+, which is enough to resist strong UV radiation in the midday and afternoon. The hoodie style and built-in gaiter allow me to get full protection and stay away from the risk of sunburn.

Furthermore, when performing vigorous rod swings and casting motions, the moisture-wicking and breathability of the fabric are essential. The application of Quick Drying and Breathable fabric technology keeps my body dry and ventilated at all times. Finally, I want to mention the elasticity and tensile strength of the fabric, which is often the most overlooked point when purchasing similar products. During this season, I use 7'2" or 8' casting rods to throw our large-profile swimbaits; longer rods mean I need a larger range of motion. In the past, I often encountered issues where the fabric lacked enough elasticity and stretch, which was very frustrating as every cast involved the clothes pulling and rubbing against my skin. Bassdash’s 4-Way-Stretch technology helped me overcome this problem, which is why I chose it. If you are not used to the hoodie style, you can choose the Long Sleeve Fishing Shirt style; this sun protection long sleeve T-shirt is equally excellent and perfectly inherits all the advantages of the hoodie version.

Conclusion

The above is my gear checklist for "Big Fish Days" in February. The SwimShad Glide Bait allows you to precisely target bass that prefer large baits; the SwimPanfish lets you perfectly match the forage when bluegill appear in the shallows; and of course, a comfortable, breathable sun protection shirt is indispensable, giving you a pleasant mood to fish all day long.