How Do You Know Bass Have Moved To Prespawn? 2024
NC_Bass6 reply :
this will be my first full year bass fishing ( started late last summer ). i was wondering how do you know the fish have moved into prespawn. it may be a dumb question, i have no idea. let me know, thanks
Shewillbemine reply :
It's actually different per lake and region of the country. One of the things I'd check for locally is the water temperature. You've probably had the coldest water temps. of the year especially in December and early January. Once the water is consistently higher than what it was for these months, bass will begin moving back and forth from deep to shallow water, looking for good spawning areas.
I'm sure others will have helpful tips as well.
WRB reply :
Winter= 40-55 degrees
Pre Spawn = 55-60 degrees
Spawn = 62-67 degrees
Post Spawn = 65-69 degrees
Summer = 70-85 degrees
Fall = 70-60 degrees
Transition periods fill in the gaps.
Water temperatures at the depth of the bass, not surface.
These are the basic water temperatures wherever bass are located.
Location will determine if the bass have transitioned from cold winter water to stage for pre spawn; deeper water outside of the areas where bass spawn and cruising bass roaming the spawning areas indicate a transition to spawn. Bass often spawn in cycles, not all at one time, so there is over lapping cycles.
Tom
Shane J reply :
There's a lot to soak in when you're just getting going in this sport, so do plenty of reading. Lots of good articles on seasonal patterns of bass right here on this site, so start there. As for your question, pre-spawn is that time of year, when the bass will be transitioning from their winter hangouts, to shallower water, where food sources are more abundant, and the water is warmer, and they will eventually bed down for the actual spawn. You will know it's in full swing, because you will find the bass feeding much more aggressively, and spending a lot more time just outside those prime spawning grounds, usually right at the first drop off from shore.
BassmanDan reply :
Lots of good tips already given. I have always found that (in my waters) you should be on the water and ready for the big bite in early March, usually around the first full moon. The biggest females seem to move up in the first wave and may not be up shallow very long. There could be a pre-spawn bite earlier than that depending on what part of the country you're talking about, but since we are both in NC that's my best advice.
ww2farmer reply :
Someone who thinks a bass does one thing at a set water temp, and another at a different temp, is really being short-sighted in their thinking. They do what they do when they do it. I have had years when I have caught them in the back of a creek in 47 degree water , but some years I don't catch any in that spot till the water is 55....., some years I see them on beds in 58 degree water, some years in 70. Some years the prespawn period last for weeks, some years it don't,lots of other circumstances come into play other than just water temp.
Sam reply :
Water temperature.
GOOCHY reply :
Last year in Iowa it was weird because it warmed up for a couple of weeks in March and the bite was red hot. Then in April it was cold as heck and the bite dropped of dramatically. It didn't pick back up until May, IMO. Weird start to the year with an unseasonably warm spurt to start things off. It threw everybody off their game - including the bass.
ww2farmer reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 8:57 AM, GOOCHY said:Last year in Iowa it was weird because it warmed up for a couple of weeks in March and the bite was red hot. Then in April it was cold as heck and the bite dropped of dramatically. It didn't pick back up until May, IMO. Weird start to the year with an unseasonably warm spurt to start things off. It threw everybody off their game - including the bass.
Pretty much how it was in WNY last spring too. In fact I think it was THE warmest March on record, followed by one of, if not the coldest Aprils in many many years. I was seeing dang near 70 degree water temps in the creeks, and dark bottom shallows in late March...........BUT..........the fish didn't care. Yeah I caught a few in there that may have moved up because of the extreme warmth so early, but still it was mid/late April, with water temps that had fallen back to below normal for that time of year, before things started to happen.
SudburyBasser reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 8:51 AM, ww2farmer said:Someone who thinks a bass does one thing at a set water temp, and another at a different temp, is really being short-sighted in their thinking. They do what they do when they do it. I have had years when I have caught them in the back of a creek in 47 degree water , but some years I don't catch any in that spot till the water is 55....., some years I see them on beds in 58 degree water, some years in 70. Some years the prespawn period last for weeks, some years it don't,lots of other circumstances come into play other than just water temp.
True what ww2farmer says, and it's also often in error to say that there is one spawn period. It's hardly unknown for there to be one spawn and then 30 days later to see another round of spawning, and then even after that another month goes by with yet another spawn -- usually loosely tied with a full moon. So you could theoretically see multiple pre-spawns, spawns and post-spawns, though in differing amounts.
I claim to be no expert -- this far up north we generally have one spawn -- but it's a complicated question to answer. There are multiple factors to consider.
CoBass reply :
One factor I have noticed is length of days. Being in a colder climate I have seen years where the water temps don't reach the 60's until early June. The pre-spawn feeding frenzy seems to start when the days get noticeably longer in the late March to early April time frame and will last until the water warms up. Even if the water temps are only in the 40's the longer days seem to get them going.
Teal reply :
The best way for me to know for a fact when these transition periods start/end is by continuing to fish my home lakes as much and as often as i can. Keep an eye on water temps too, but the best way i tell from year to year is by going out there and fishing and figuring them out as often as i can. Try to stay on top of them.
Everybody had super good technical advice, thats all i can add without saying what they said. Get on the articles section and spend your down time reading and researching.
merc1997 reply :
tom, i was glad that you included the fact that the water temps for spawning need to be at the depth the bass are spawning, not the surface temperature. every year in my area, people will swear the bass are spawning because the surface temperature is 65 degrees. they need to a bit of wading and swimming, and they might learn something!! great post!! i hope those that are wanting to learn will copy this post and keep it for future use.On 1/23/2013 at 8:06 AM, WRB said:Winter= 40-55 degreesPre Spawn = 55-60 degrees
Spawn = 62-67 degrees
Post Spawn = 65-69 degrees
Summer = 70-85 degrees
Fall = 70-60 degrees
Transition periods fill in the gaps.
Water temperatures at the depth of the bass, not surface.
These are the basic water temperatures wherever bass are located.
Location will determine if the bass have transitioned from cold winter water to stage for pre spawn; deeper water outside of the areas where bass spawn and cruising bass roaming the spawning areas indicate a transition to spawn. Bass often spawn in cycles, not all at one time, so there is over lapping cycles.
Tom
bo
Sam reply :
Tom's post is well researched and follows what the books and DVDs say about the spawn.
In Virginia, bass are on their beds when the Dogwoods bloom.
So in Virginia we know the bass are on their prespawn treck when we see the Dogwood blooms start to pop out before they bloom.
This should be true in other parts of the USA so this year let's all be watchful of any Dogwoods in your area and what the bass are doing as the trees blossom.
Isn't Mother Nature fantastic!
PondBoss reply :
Fish are like people some people are morning people and others can't be bothered before noon. Fish are very much the same way. I saw a couple of fish yesterday in some ponds that were scouring the shallows looking for places to set up shop. The water temp (surface) is about 48 the air temp was 35. I have also seen them on beds when the water was into the 80's. Again fish are like people in that they live where they live too. Some stay shallow all year long and some stay deep. Weather may move them temporarily but they will tend to go back. Look at all of the people that live on the Louisiana coast for example, weather moves them out ever couple of years, but they still go back.
Sam reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 4:47 PM, PondBoss said:Fish are like people some people are morning people and others can't be bothered before noon. Fish are very much the same way. I saw a couple of fish yesterday in some ponds that were scouring the shallows looking for places to set up shop. The water temp (surface) is about 48 the air temp was 35. I have also seen them on beds when the water was into the 80's. Again fish are like people in that they live where they live too. Some stay shallow all year long and some stay deep. Weather may move them temporarily but they will tend to go back. Look at all of the people that live on the Louisiana coast for example, weather moves them out ever couple of years, but they still go back.
Sam reply :
Now that is funny.
Same along the Gulf coast and Atlantic ocean.
We always go back!!!!
P.S. Hit the wrong key and the computer posted the above post before I added my reply.
Sam reply :
And Pond Boss, the people of Louisiana don't even wait for the Dogwoods to get blossoms or bloom to move back!!!
They just want to get back before the start of the LSU football and baseball seasons and get their TVs working.
WRB reply :
Fish are cold blooded and water temperature controls their life cycle. Weather may alter the spawn and severe water temperature drops, water level changes during the spawn can and does stop a spawn or even abort it. Several waves of spawner's is natures way of assuring survival of the species; all the eggs are not in one basket!
Bass up in shallow cold water are not looking for beds, they are either foraging or seeking warmer water.
Tom
PondBoss reply :
But what I said about the fish is still valid. lol
(='_'=) reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 12:19 PM, merc1997 said:tom, i was glad that you included the fact that the water temps for spawning need to be at the depth the bass are spawning, not the surface temperature. every year in my area, people will swear the bass are spawning because the surface temperature is 65 degrees. they need to a bit of wading and swimming, and they might learn something!! great post!! i hope those that are wanting to learn will copy this post and keep it for future use.bo
and how can someone know the temperture ad the depth the bass are spawning??
i have a fshfinder, and it reads a temperature, but, is it surface temp, mid water temp, bottom temp, average, or how can i know that temp corresponds to which depth??
WRB reply :
On 1/24/2013 at 1:57 AM, (= said:and how can someone know the temperture ad the depth the bass are spawning??
i have a fshfinder, and it reads a temperature, but, is it surface temp, mid water temp, bottom temp, average, or how can i know that temp corresponds to which depth??
2 methods: insert a temp probe in the bass, down the throat right after you catch the bass. The body temp will be the same as the water it came out of.
Or lower a temp probe down to the depth you meter bass.
Back in the 60's temperature Gage's with 50' wire were not uncommon. Today's bass angler uses sonar to find bass at various depths and don't care why the bass are there, a few understand thermocline layers.
Tom
Clash City Rocker reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 8:06 AM, WRB said:Winter= 40-55 degreesPre Spawn = 55-60 degrees
Spawn = 62-67 degrees
Post Spawn = 65-69 degrees
Summer = 70-85 degrees
Fall = 70-60 degrees
Transition periods fill in the gaps.
Water temperatures at the depth of the bass, not surface.
These are the basic water temperatures wherever bass are located.
Location will determine if the bass have transitioned from cold winter water to stage for pre spawn; deeper water outside of the areas where bass spawn and cruising bass roaming the spawning areas indicate a transition to spawn. Bass often spawn in cycles, not all at one time, so there is over lapping cycles.
Tom
What kind of thermometers do you guys use to measure water temp? Anything I could use from the bank? Would surface temp from an infrared be accurate?
merc1997 reply :
On 1/24/2013 at 1:57 AM, (= said:and how can someone know the temperture ad the depth the bass are spawning??
i have a fshfinder, and it reads a temperature, but, is it surface temp, mid water temp, bottom temp, average, or how can i know that temp corresponds to which depth??
there are or have been several temp. probes on the market over the years. vexilar used to have one that was in a tube, with a small hole. pressure would let in water at depth. i still use it. also i have an electric one with a probe that you attach a weight to. it has 50 ft of cord. i use it also. i do not remember who made the electric one.
bo
WRB reply :
Not able to look at the brand of my digital probe I use, not where my boat is at this moment, however a simple sinking pool thermometer with a string attachment works OK and cost about $10-$12.
Tom
Clash City Rocker reply :
On 1/24/2013 at 9:48 AM, WRB said:Not able to look at the brand of my digital probe I use, not where my boat is at this moment, however a simple sinking pool thermometer with a string attachment works OK and cost about $10-$12.Tom
good idea, I could put a longer cord on it and fling it a few yards out from the bank.
Darren. reply :
On 1/23/2013 at 3:51 PM, Sam said:Tom's post is well researched and follows what the books and DVDs say about the spawn.
In Virginia, bass are on their beds when the Dogwoods bloom.
So in Virginia we know the bass are on their prespawn treck when we see the Dogwood blooms start to pop out before they bloom.
This should be true in other parts of the USA so this year let's all be watchful of any Dogwoods in your area and what the bass are doing as the trees blossom.
Isn't Mother Nature fantastic!
And that's one reason to love spawn in VA. Water temp? Pshaw. Dogwoods are in bloom? Well then the hunt is on! Paid off in spades for me last year, that's for sure.
aharris reply :
Water temp is the main thing. Most folks say 62 degrees is the magic number for spawing and 99.9 percent of the time this is the case. But remember, all fish do not spawn on the banks in shallow water. Some fish for some reason spawn in deeper water and that water obviously takes longer to warm up. I've seen fish around here (sc) spawing in late march and i've also caught fish in deep water with eggs in early june. Site fishing is awesome once you get the hang of it! Good luck!
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
previous topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.