Spring is in the air throughout the US and anglers are already gearing up for action. Whether you fish freshwater for bass, trout, or panfish, or saltwater inshore species like fluke, sea trout, stripers, and blues, KastKing has got you covered in the rod and reel department.

For this piece, let's take a look at three great combos for spring bass fishing, particularly the most sought-after – largemouth bass. These three combos will enable you to cover light finesse fishing, soft plastics, and heavy cover.

MegaJaws Elite and Assegai: Perfect for Flipping

When the MegaJaws Elite came out, I am not going to lie, I thought the flipping switch was just a gimmick and would never take off, let alone would I ever use it. Fast forward after using it for more than a year, and I love it.

Whether you are flipping and using the switch, or casting conventionally, this reel is sweet. What I love about this reel is its versatility. In the spring, I primarily use it for flipping baits through new vegetation for largemouths. Tungsten KastKing weights and large profile baits are handled easily, and utilizing the flipping switch makes quick casts a breeze. The quicker the cast, the more chances I have of hitting that hot spot.

Key Features:

• Flipping switch for pitching and flipping

• 6.4 oz weight

• 9+2+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings with two super-spin spool bearings for extremely long casting

• LFTV (Low Friction Tapered Vortex), greatly reducing line friction

On the rod end, I absolutely love the Assegai Technique series of bass rods (15 specific models). These rods are light and sensitive and make one for any style or bait you want to throw.

As we are talking spring fishing in cover, the 7-foot, 5-inch Flippin' Out is my go-to. This rod is rated for 15 to 30 pounds, offers a fast taper for feeling even the slightest tap – something very prevalent in the early season – and has the backbone to handle the hogs. Premium cork grips and Fuji guides make this a great series, and it won't break the bank.

Royal Legend Pro Spinning Combo: Ideal for Soft Plastic

When this first came out, all I heard from anglers, without even using it, was – "Holy Moly, this is an incredible-looking reel." It really did not surprise me after picking a combo up. When the sun hits this beauty, it really throws off some cool coloring.

According to KastKing, the color palette "was chosen by our fans. The celestial-inspired paint features light-shifting cosmic colors that create a stunning look from every angle—turning every fishing trip into a visual adventure." However, cool coloring and turning heads will not put fish in your live well or bucket for dinner!

The rod and reel combo I like for spring is the 7-foot, 2-inch rod paired with a size 3000 reel. In the spring, I like to use soft plastic jerk baits in open water. This combo, rated for 8 to 12 pounds, is a nice balance of tip and backbone to get the twitch bait "twitching and diving," and the ability to snap the rod tip to set the hook.

Speaking of soft plastic jerk shads, the Donkey rig is probably one of the most effective ways to incite strikes in the spring fishery. The Donkey rig incorporates two soft plastic jerk shads, making for an enticing display for bass.

Key Features:

• Built with high-strength carbon fiber

• Triple carbon drag delivers up to 25 pounds of smooth, hesitation-free performance

• 10+1 shielded ball bearings

• High Modulus IM7 graphite and Nano resins

• Fuji Stainless Steel K Frame Guides and FazLite inserts

I would encourage anglers to add one of these to their arsenal for spring fishing. They offer seven different combos from finesse to power spin for all your angling needs.

In the spring, I throw a lot of smaller hair jigs and tubes to bass. The smaller profile imitates early-year fry, insects, and small amphibians milling in and around lily pads, blowdowns, and shallow water. Tubes are great baits for when fish are beginning to spawn.

For years I always used a light spinning rod for these techniques, but once KastKing came out with the Kestrel BFS baitcaster, the light spinning rod went out the window. I use the slightly longer Kestrel rod of 7-2 rated for 4 to 12 pounds.

On the reel, the Kestrel loaded with 8-pound test Hammer braid and 6-pound test Kovert fluorocarbon makes it a breeze to throw light lures. The Kestrel BFS was engineered to perfection by the folks at KastKing. The rod and reel are designed for precision and performance and offer anglers a lightweight and highly responsive fishing experience. I can also attest to its strength and landing power on even the largest spring bass.

Key Features:

• IM8 ultra-high modulus graphite blanks rolled under extreme pressure with Nano resins

• American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide Duralight rings

• American Tackle VIBE2 Reel seats

• Kestrel BFS Reel weighs only 4.5 ounces

• Palm Perfect Design at 37.5mm size

• Micro-spool excels at handling smaller diameter lines

• Eight different rods; reel comes in two versions – 7.5:1 and 8.4:1

If you plan on tossing smaller lures to bass this spring, I highly suggest you check out the Kestrel BFS Combo. Although the combo is not inexpensive, it will still fit into most anglers' budgets.

There you have it, three great, versatile, and durable outfits for spring bass fishing. I am sure adding one or all three to your arsenal will surely put a few bass in the net and smiles on your face.

Until next time, tight lines and screaming drags!

About the Author: 

Tom Melton is an outdoor writer and lifelong angler with over 40 years of fishing experience. In 1994, he served as Editor of The Fisherman Magazine on Long Island. He has written more than 5,000 fishing articles and columns and is the author of Fishing the Long Island Coast. Now based in Florida, Tom focuses on freshwater bass fishing as well as saltwater species, sharing practical techniques and gear insights for anglers of all levels.

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