Well you have picked a good time to start fishing for the aswesome fighting fish. As the water temps in our local lakes hit 48 and above the SM start to spawn and going start eating or killing anything that comes near there beds. Meaning some of your best SM fishing can be had in the mid spring months.
Personal this time of the year when water temps are just over or near 48 I like to fish with crankbaits reterived slowing. I use the deep divers because you can reel them back slowly and they will dive over 10 ft deep. As the temps warm you can start to use surface baits. And have a blast. The bass will move in to 1-3 feet of water. Then as the water warms even more they will start to move back into deeper water. And you might have better luck with soft plastics.

Bass fishing is a kick in the pants. And those SM fight very well!