What's up guys!

Welcome back to The Hookset Weekly!

March 19th — and spring is officially knocking. Water temps are starting to climb, the ice is clearing up north, and down south? The pre-spawn bass bite is already getting hot. This is the moment we've been prepping for all winter.

Let's dive in!

If you fish for bass, circle this time of year on your calendar — pre-spawn is arguably the most exciting and productive bite of the entire year. Here's why and how to capitalize:

Suspending Jerkbait: The #1 pre-spawn producer. Twitch-twitch-pause on 10-15 foot flats. The pause is everything — let it hang.

Lipless Crankbait (1/2 oz): Burn it over shallow warming flats. Red or chartreuse/black back. Reaction bite city.

Swim Jig (3/8 oz): Slow roll along transitions and laydowns. Big profile = big fish.

Texas-Rigged Creature Bait: When they're locked on staging areas and won't commit to moving baits. Drop it slow and hold on.

Pro Tip: The magic window is when water temps hit 52-56°F. Bass stack up on the last piece of structure before their spawning coves. Find that transition, work it slow, and you'll have the best day of your year.

Before you hit the water this season, make sure your power setup can keep up. If you're running a fish finder, forward-facing sonar, lights, or planning a motor upgrade — reliable lithium power matters more than almost anything else.

Dead batteries end fishing trips early. LiTime lithium batteries are lighter than lead-acid, last longer, and hold a charge all season long. This is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to your whole setup.

👉 Shop LiTime Lithium Batteries
Use code BDF10 for 10% off your order.

Friendly reminder: the first KFD regional meetup of 2026 is just 10 days away!

📍 Location: Santee Cooper, SC (Launch: Relaxed Retreat in Summerton, SC)
📅 Date: March 29, 2026
💰 Cost: FREE

Santee Cooper is a legendary fishery — world-class bass, crappie, and catfish in one of the most beautiful settings on the East Coast. Whether you're bringing a kayak or just want to meet the crew for the first time, come hang.

If you're planning to come, reply to this email and let me know. Spots are filling up fast!

This week's feature goes to Andrew Morgan, and the timing couldn't be more perfect.

While the rest of us are still loading up the kayak and dreaming about spring, Andrew was already on the water — and the fish were ready.

"Spring has kicked off nicely! The warm weather has them feeding and chasing lures. I saw a couple on beds this morning. Got my first bass on the KGB Chad Shad and it was a good one! Caught a few more on the Geecrack Bellows Gill and a wacky rig."

Fish on beds. Multiple baits producing. First bass of spring in the boat. That's the kind of report that makes you drop everything and start rigging rods.

The KGB Chad Shad and the Geecrack Bellows Gill are exactly the style of baits we talked about above — slow-rolling swimbaits over staging areas while the water warms. Andrew's out there living proof that the pre-spawn bite is on right now.

Want to be featured in the next newsletter? Drop your recent catch in the Kayak Fishing Dads group or reply to this email with your photo and story.

Ever wondered what a fully dialed-in kayak fishing rig actually looks like in real life? I just posted the most in-depth setup walkthrough I've ever done — and yeah, the number in the title is real.

"$15,000 Kayak Fishing Setup — FULL Rig Walkthrough"

I break down every single piece of my setup from top to bottom — the kayak, the motor, electronics, organization and every accessory on board. Whether you're building toward a dream rig or just want to know what gear is actually worth spending money on, this one's for you.

What You'll Learn:

Why This Matters: You don't need $15k to fish well — but knowing what's out there helps you prioritize what to upgrade next. This is the roadmap.

▶️ Watch Here: $15,000 Kayak Fishing Setup — FULL Rig Walkthrough

Know a fishing buddy who needs these tips? Forward this to them so they stop asking you the same questions every season.

Thanks for reading The Hookset Weekly by Bearded Dad Fishing! Got questions or suggestions for future issues? Just hit reply.

That's it for this week. Get outside, find those pre-spawners, and tight lines.

Peace and God bless!

- Jay