As Ontario's lakes warm up after the spawn, largemouth bass transition into their summer patterns, providing anglers with exciting fishing opportunities. This guide focuses on two highly effective lure types for post-spawn largemouth: soft plastic baits and reaction-style baits. Learn how to use these lures to catch more and bigger bass in Ontario's prime fishing waters.

Soft Plastic Baits for Ontario Largemouth

  Plastic Worms:

• Texas-rigged or wacky-rigged worms in 6-10 inch lengths
• Colors: green pumpkin, black/blue, and watermelon red
• Target weed edges and submerged vegetation

  Creature Baits:

• Flip or pitch into heavy cover and laydowns
• Use weightless for a slow fall in shallow water
• Try the Adrenaline Craw, Adrenaline Bug Jr. or Muscle Back by Xzone Lures

  Soft Plastic Stick Baits:

• Wacky rig or Texas rig for versatility
• Skip under docks or overhanging trees
• Neutral colors like watermelon or green pumpkin excel
• Check out Xzone's True Center Stick or Gary Yamamoto Yamasenko for some awesome options

  Soft Plastic Swimbaits:

• Paddle tail designs for a lifelike action
• Use as a search bait in open water or along weed edges
• Match local baitfish colors
• Xzone Swammer Series are a great option

Reaction Baits for Aggressive Largemouth

  Topwater Lures:

• Frog lures for heavy vegetation and lily pads
• Create commotion to trigger strikes
• Walking baits and poppers for early morning and late evening.  I always have a Rapala Skitter V tied on for these situations

  Crankbaits:

• Shallow runners for 1-5 feet of water
• Medium divers for 5-12 feet
• Lipless crankbaits for grass flats and scattered vegetation
• Check out the versatile Rapala Rap V Blade

  Spinnerbaits:

• Use in windy conditions or slightly stained water
• Great for covering water quickly
• Vary blade sizes and colors based on water clarity
• Terminator has some of the best spinnerbaits in the business

  Chatterbaits:

• Combine the flash of a spinnerbait with the action of a jig
• Excellent for fishing through scattered vegetation
• Add a soft plastic trailer for enhanced action
• If you don't have a Z-Man Jack Hammer Chatterbait tied on what are you waiting for!

Where to Find Post-Spawn Largemouth in Ontario

  Weed Beds:

• Focus on edges and pockets within large weed areas
• Use weedless soft plastics and topwater frogs
• Don't underestimate brush piles, they love that cover

  Docks and Boat Houses:

• Skip soft plastic stick baits or creature baits underneath
• Work crankbaits and spinnerbaits along the edges

Lily Pad Fields:

• Punch through with heavy Texas-rigged creature baits
• Work topwater frogs across the surface
• My go to for lily pads is hands down Xzone 3.25 Muscle Back Finesse Craw and the 4" Muscle Back Craw

  Submerged Timber:

• Flip soft plastics into the cover
• Run crankbaits and chatterbaits alongside timber and tree stumps

  Main Lake Points:

• Use crankbaits and spinnerbaits to cover water
• Follow up with soft plastics when you find fish

Techniques for Success

  Match the Hatch:

• Choose lure sizes and colors that mimic local forage
• Consider seasonal patterns of baitfish and crayfish

Vary Retrieves:

• Experiment with different speeds and actions
• Pause soft plastics on the fall for hesitant bass

Cover Water Efficiently:

• Use reaction baits to locate active fish
• Switch to soft plastics for a more finesse approach in productive areas

Pay Attention to Water Temperature:

• As summer progresses, focus on deeper structure during midday heat
• Target shallower areas during early morning and late evening

Top Ontario Largemouth Destinations

• Lake Simcoe: Abundant weed growth and docks
• Kawartha Lakes: Diverse habitat with plenty of vegetation
• Bay of Quinte: Shallow bays and weed flats
• Lake Erie: Harbors and marina areas
• Rice Lake: Extensive vegetation and numerous islands
• Gloucester Pool - Port Severn

Must have terminal tackle and fishing line for giant largemouth bass

Tungsten Worm Weights by Tackle Outfit

Tungsten Flipping Weights by Tackle Outfit

Hooks by Gamakatsu & VMC & Redline Series

Braid fishing line by Sufix

Sinker Stop - Weight Pegs by Tackle Outfit

Other Article of interest

Post Spawn Smallmouth Bass - Where Are They?

Rapala X-Rap Jerkbaits -Feathered Treble Hook Advantage