Early spring season bass fishing question.

[S4il]

Finding bass in early spring: (not during the spawn)

So its still quite far away up here in Illinois, I'm looking at another 2+ months of Bitter cold temps until late mid April when the ice melts & it starts warming up, And i never do any good at that time, I'm a pond fisherman, I don't have a boat, so i shore fish only, And i do Damn good in summer threw fall, I catch bass like crazy!, I've out fished guys using live bait, 5ft down the shore from them, I'm not bragging but i will say i have a good understanding of bass fishing in general, but my down fall is not being able too Locate the bass in the early weeks of spring, I'm sure i have it right, and if i don't I'm open to ideas so here it is.

1st: Water temperature

Is it true that this is in fact the most important thing to look at first, Find warmer shallower water, in the mid 50's close to deeper water so that if it does get cold again the bass have deeper water to retreat to, which deeper waters=warmer? right...

The bodies of waters I'm fishing:

Most are small, takes maybe 15-20 min. to walk around the whole thing, Mostly subdivision lakes, some have Creeks, where warmer water will flow into a main part of the lake/pond, I see more Culvert systems than i do creeks up here, because most of these small ponds i fish are fed through other "bigger" ponds, or are man made and connected threw pipes that run under ground to prevent the subdivision homes from being flooded during peek rain season.

Piecing it all together?:

So my question here would be if water temp really is the BIG factor in being able to key in on those early spring bass, before the waters get into the 60's and the spawn kicks off, than what am i doing wrong? Below ill put into summery what i would use when i was going in search of early spring bass (gear wise)


Reel: Pfluger supreme spinning
Rod: 6'6 med action St. Croix triumph
line: 6-8lb Berkley 100% floro (gold/clear)
Lure: *Varies on day to day conditions*

Please note All these lures below I'm practically dead sticking them, not moving them much after the hit the water, working it really slow keeping my finger on the line, and waiting for the slightest *tap*

My first choice: Small northland jig head, with a kahlins single tail grub, usually in colors more natural cause after ice out that water Really clears up in these ponds I'm fishing, ill start off with Gray tones, maybe salt and pepper.

2nd choice: Bitsy bug jig, no rattle, natural craw fish patterns, browns and greens up here guys, I'm not from the south the craws don't turn Bright RED (lol)


3nd choice: If i find some warmer water like in the 60's ill throw a Storm Thunder~stick Jr. Color-anything natural (I make it suspended with Storms lead Stick-on-strips) keeping it in the strike zone longer.

Any thoughts on what i might be doing wrong, let me know, i'm here to learn!