Christie's postspawn baits and tactics

Postspawn bass are the most challenging of all to catch during the spawning cycle. Prespawners are aggressive feeders all headed in the same direction toward an identifiable target. Sight fishing takes patience and perseverance during the spawn, but the rewards are worth the wait. Postspawners are lethargic, move slower and iffier to pattern for those reasons.

Jason Christie has mastered the entire spawning cycle, dialing into bass moving either direction, with eight B.A.S.S. tour wins to prove it, including the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmasters Classic presented by Huk.

Follow along as Christie fills this box with his proven favorites for postspawn, and even through early summer.

Heddon One Knocker Spook
All about it: The single tungsten rattle contained inside a sound-intensifying chamber produces a loud thump that draws fish from long distances. The rattle’s positioning within the body makes walking the dog easier than ever.

Why use it: “It really gets their attention in shallow, dirty or deep water,” Christie said. “You can cover water to intercept postspawners on the move.” Long castabiity and the walking action are key attributes to this proven bait.
How to fish it: Target postspawn migration routes and transition areas (oftentimes the same routes used during prespawn). Cast to targets like visible wood or rock and across depth variances like points. Christie tries to guess where the bass spawned in a given area, and then backs out to where he suspects the bass are moving toward deeper water, summertime areas.

BOOYAH Covert Spinnerbait
All about it: The Christie-designed blade bait is modified from traditional BOOYAH spinnerbaits with a raked-out gill to offset blade torque that keeps the bait running true. Fitted with non-plated 17-7 stainless steel bronze wire for increased durability, blade vibration and corrosion protection.

Why use it: For postpawners feeding during a shad spawn. Use white to match live shad. “The shad spawn can last all month or more across the country,” Christie said. “This bait perfectly mimics shad with the right action.”
How to fish it: Christie stresses using a fast, burning retrieve. “You are trying to dupe the action of the shad when they are spawning, or being chased by a bass.”

BOOYAH Mobster Swim Jig
All about it: The unique tapered head imparts a subtle, strike-appealing wag on the retrieve, while preventing any unintended snags in cover. Built with premium, heavy-duty black nickel hook, vibrant full skirts, stout weed guard and wire plastic keeper.

Why use it: As a weedless alternative to the spinnerbait or topwater during a shad spawn. “It’s really versatile and you can fish it at all depths,” Christie said. “When the other baits can’t access the bait or aren’t working, then I use this lure.”
How to fish it: Swim it through lily pads, grass, laydowns and rock. “It’s a one-two punch with the spinnerbait,” Christie said.

Norman Speed N
All about it: This addition to the Norman “N” crankbait lineup is designed with a tighter wobble and aggressive pitch and roll action. Butyrate body emits a dull, thump sound that is different than other crankbaits, making it ideal for pressured fish. Made for cold water but perfect for any time of year when a different sound and action makes a difference.

Why use it: For covering water to intercept postspawners in transition between shallow and deep water. “I think the main postspawn bass forage is shad, since they are coming into spawn as the fish are moving out,” Christie said. “I can throw it at the bank and work it all the way back to six feet.”
How to fish it: Choose shad patterns. Retrieve it into isolated rock and wood, with strikes occurring after the bait strikes the cover. Secondary and main lake points and creek channel migration routes are ideal areas.

Bomber Fat Free BD7
All about it: A flat-sided and deep-diving crankbait with realistic bait patterns and 3D eyes make it stand out. The ultra-tight action is responsive with an ease of retrieves, setting it apart in the deep-diving category.

Why use it: “Postspawners can immediately move offshore after spawning,” Christie said. “This bait will reach that strike zone, and it’s a big bass bait.”
How to fish it: Use shad patterns. Make long casts and use a burning-speed retrieve. Get the bait down to the bottom where bass are staging on isolated wood or rock.

YUM Magnum Finesse Worm; YUM Pumpkin Head Standup Jig Head
All about it: A beefed-up worm for shaky heads, Texas- and Carolina rigs and even Neko rigs. Built with bulbous tail and exaggerated ribbing for a different shape. The jig’s flat head and hook angle make soft plastics stand upright, imitating feeding baitfish, amphibians or crawfish. A horizontal line tie provides solid hooksets, while the corkscrew bait keeper keeps the bait at a perfect angle.

Why use it: “It’s a clean-up bait when the crankbait bite goes cold,” Christie said. “I switch over to this bait and give them something different.” Catching just one or two fish on this rig can fire up an otherwise dormant school of fish.
How to fish it: “It’s like throwing a magnum shaky head. Throw it out and drag it on the bottom, in the same areas where you were catching fish on a crankbait.” When the school fires, he switches back to the diving bait.

And there you have it. A variety selection of proven baits that cover the entire water column, from shallow transition areas to summertime offshore locales favored by bass.