When the water temperature is still low and the first little guys show up, I like to use a small jig tipped with a tripple ripple tailed grub. White with red thread for the jig and white or pearl for the tail. Very s-l-o-w retrieve, occasionally hitting the bottom to kick up a little sand or mud. Early spring is a time when bass are feeding on grass and sand shrimp -- anything that kicks up the bottom replicates a fleeing shrimp that jets out of the sand or mud. Erie style jig offers a lot of action and is worth trying from time to time. Here are a few different styles to choose from:
http://www.miniaturemolds.com/Do-It/contents.htm
By mid-May you can expect to connect with the bigger bass using one of them there Kastmasters. A teaser in the front won't hurt either.
I have a question for you folks:
Where do you expect to catch your first keeper size striper from?
Threaded Mode