After the Ice Melts: Best Lures to Use for Freshwater Bass on Cape Cod
- phil32990
- 10 hours ago
- 4 min read
As winter loosens its grip this week and Cape Cod’s lakes and ponds begin to shed their ice, freshwater bass begin a dramatic shift in behavior. After enduring months of cold, these fish become more active, hungry, and eager to feed — making “ice-out” one of the most exciting times of year to target largemouth and smallmouth bass.
But early ice out bass can be very fickle. Water temperatures still hover in the chilly 40s , meaning fish are willing to feed — but not over-commit to rapid retrieves and big lures. Your choice of lure, presentation, and depth is critical.
Here’s our Goose Pro Staff guide to the best bass lures for Cape Cod waters after ice out, along with tips for how and when to fish them.
1. Jerkbaits — The Cold Water Killers
When waters are still cold (below ~55°F), jerkbaits are arguably the most effective lure for early-season bass.
Why they work: They stay in the strike zone longer and mimic lethargic baitfish.
Goose Hummock Most Popular choices:
Rapala RIP STOP MINNOW-The RipStop® tail design creates a fast-ripping, flashing swimbait action. Hard-stopping, forward motion stops on a dime, with a subtle shimmy before coming to a rest, then ever so slightly lifts its head with a super slow-rise. Cast & wind, wind & stop, twitch, snap, rip and suspend, fish it your favorite way for all species of gamefish.How to fish them: Cast out, let it sink to target depth, then twitch sharply twice and pause. The key is the pause — at icy temps, bass often strike on the stop.
RAPALA HUSKY JERK-Perfectly balanced, the Husky Jerk® can be cast or trolled at any speed and still run true. The rattle chamber transmits sound waves that amplify through the water. Metallic, natural or glass patterns.Cape Cod tip: Target transitional structure where shallow flats meet deeper water — early bass often stage here before moving shallow.
YOZURI JERKBAIT(SP)- Yo-Zuri's 3DR-X Jerk Bait features internationally patented 3D internal prism scale finishes that sends off light in all directions. This is an 80mm (3-3/8”, 3/8oz) suspending jerk bait that dives down to and suspends at 2-3ft. This jerk bait has a quick darting action and slight head down posture on the pause. It features black nickel hooks and is available in 8 color patterns
2. Soft Plastics
Soft plastics are versatile, subtle, and deadly when bass want an easy, slow meal.
Best Colors: White, chartreuse, pearl, and baitfish patterns.
Best sizes: 3–4″
Rigging: On a light jighead (1/8–1/4 oz) or under a drop shot rig.
Where to fish: Around submerged vegetation, rocky points, and shallow flats warming in the sun.
Goose Hummock Most Popular choices:
GARY YAMAMOTO 4" YAMASENKO-Gary Yamamoto's Senko has quickly become a sensation throughout the United States. The Senko is salt impregnated, has a healthy profile, casts like a bullet, and features a unique smooth-and-even horizontal fall when fished weightless or wacky style. Yamamoto Senkos are not magic, but pretty darn close.Technique: Use slow, gentle hops along the bottom — think crawl, not retrieve. Post-ice-out bass often eat worms and larvae.
3. Blade Baits — Vibration for Cold Bass
When bass are slow, vibration triggers strikes.
Popular models:
HYPERLASTICS DARTSPIN PRO JIGHEAD 4.5" ELECTRIC CHICKEN- The Softough construction of the Dartspin's minnow shaped body ensures an enticing swimming action and a wiggling fall, while the willow blade solidly embedded into its tail emits a flash and vibration that drive predatory game fish of all types absolutely mad. The Dartspin's effectiveness knows no bounds, as it can be rigged in a wide variety of ways to catch all types of both fresh and saltwater game fish including largemouth bass, pike, striped bass, redfish, snook, tarpon, and even tuna!
Action: Cast and reel with a slow, steady cadence — periodically bumping the bottom.
Because these lures radiate strong vibration, they help bass locate a meal even when their metabolism is sluggish.
4. Tube Jigs — Classic Ice Out Flipper
Tube jigs are a Cape Cod spring staple.
Best Colors: Green pumpkin, watermelon seed, nuclear chicken.
Size: 3–4″
Why they’re great: At slow speeds, tubes look like swimming crawfish — a mainstay in early bass diets.
Goose Pro staff Picks:
STRIKE KING KVD PRO-MODEL TUBE-The KVD Pro Model Tube is salt-impregnated, and is great when finesse is the name of the game. This 3 1/2" length is a perfect all-around size. Tour Grade Tube Jig Heads can be slid inside the tube with the line tie poked through. This bait works well on light line and spinning rod applications, but is equally effective Texas rigged and flipped. This is the finesse bait that helped make Kevin VanDam the 2001 Bassmaster Classic® winner!How to fish: Drag slowly along the bottom, stopping often. If bass are lethargic, give a subtle lift rather than a big hop — think “shiver.”
General Ice-Out Bass Tips for Cape Cod Fishermen
Target Transitional Zones: After ice out, bass aren’t fully shallow yet — they're transitioning. Fish near points and drop-offs. These are access points from deeper water as fish slowly move inshore.
Watch Water Temps: 45–55°F is peak early-season activity. Below 45°F, expect lethargy. Above 55–60°F, bass begin moving shallow and chasing faster lures.
Timing Matters: Sunny afternoons warm shallow flats fastest. Hit these windows with blade baits or spinnerbaits.
Slow and Natural: Cold bass aren’t aggressive. Pause often, reel slowly, and let lures sit.
Ice out on Cape Cod brings a short but sweet window when freshwater bass are actively feeding and catchable. By matching lure selection to water temperature and bass behavior — favoring subtle, slow, natural presentations — you can unlock memorable early-season action.
Tight lines!
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