Spawn Locations and Tactics
Spawn is usually around the first full and new moons when the water temperature gets close to 65 degrees. It will occur in protected coves and banks from wind and current next to something the fry can move into once they hatch to escape predators (wood or grass). Northern pockets in protected areas will be the first to warm and produce beds. I truly believe the biggest fish spawn the earliest and move up and off a couple of times a year when the conditions set up correctly. Bottom conditions are an important consideration when looking for spawning areas. Sandy or gravelly type bottoms are ideal as the fish can easily clean the are for their bed with their tail to keep silt from settling on their eggs. They try to avoid current and windblown areas as much as possible. Spawning beds are easily identified in clearer water. They will look like a plate or saucer cleared away in the bottom. In our area, usually you will just see lighter area on the bottom due to murkier water conditions or you will just see swirls in the water where a fish is protecting a bed. Some favorite covers I like to look for spawners are on willow trees and buckbrush for big largemouth. I think they need the sun to warm the eggs but like that little bit of protection for them and the fry.
The three species of bass in the are spawn in very different places and can be targeted that way:
Smallmouth : Pea Gravel points and Bank in 3-12' of water in 59-65 degree water.
Largemouth : Soft Bottoms such as Sand that are easily cleared in 1-5' of water in 62-68 degree water.
Spotted : Ledges and long sloping points in 2-8' of water in 60-70 degree water.
Try to keep your distance when fishing for these fish but if you spook one off remember the spot and come back later. If the fish is locked onto the bed they will come right back. These fish can be finicky to catch but is an art in itself. Some people frown on fishing for these fish, but studies are inconclusive as to whether it is detrimental to the fishery. The key to being successful is being quiet and efficient. It can take a long time to catch these fish if they are spooky and aren't ready to be caught. So judge each fish by how they react to you, and the baits to see if they are worth pursuing. If they spook off the bait each time try something different, if they swim far away they may just not be committed yet. Come back to that one later. If they nose up or keep reacting to the bait or guarding, that is a fish to pursue. After the female has laid her eggs she will stay around for just a day or so to guard then the males will stay behind to protect the fry and can be very easy to catch and target, but usually won’t provide tournament winning weights. Eventually the males will even be predatory after the spawn.
Some good techniques for catching these fish are a little varied. Here are a few suggestions for catching these fish. Use a plastic lure or something you can fish slowly, ( Lizard, tube, Senko, etc.) and allow the bait to just sit in the bed until the fish comes to get it. Sometimes it may take repeated casts into those beds. Also, slower jerk baits or top waters may worked around the bed to illicit a bite as well. The thing with a bedding fish can be patience and trying different things to you make her mad enough to bite.
Good Luck and Catch a Great Ol' Big Un!!
The three species of bass in the are spawn in very different places and can be targeted that way:
Smallmouth : Pea Gravel points and Bank in 3-12' of water in 59-65 degree water.
Largemouth : Soft Bottoms such as Sand that are easily cleared in 1-5' of water in 62-68 degree water.
Spotted : Ledges and long sloping points in 2-8' of water in 60-70 degree water.
Try to keep your distance when fishing for these fish but if you spook one off remember the spot and come back later. If the fish is locked onto the bed they will come right back. These fish can be finicky to catch but is an art in itself. Some people frown on fishing for these fish, but studies are inconclusive as to whether it is detrimental to the fishery. The key to being successful is being quiet and efficient. It can take a long time to catch these fish if they are spooky and aren't ready to be caught. So judge each fish by how they react to you, and the baits to see if they are worth pursuing. If they spook off the bait each time try something different, if they swim far away they may just not be committed yet. Come back to that one later. If they nose up or keep reacting to the bait or guarding, that is a fish to pursue. After the female has laid her eggs she will stay around for just a day or so to guard then the males will stay behind to protect the fry and can be very easy to catch and target, but usually won’t provide tournament winning weights. Eventually the males will even be predatory after the spawn.
Some good techniques for catching these fish are a little varied. Here are a few suggestions for catching these fish. Use a plastic lure or something you can fish slowly, ( Lizard, tube, Senko, etc.) and allow the bait to just sit in the bed until the fish comes to get it. Sometimes it may take repeated casts into those beds. Also, slower jerk baits or top waters may worked around the bed to illicit a bite as well. The thing with a bedding fish can be patience and trying different things to you make her mad enough to bite.
Good Luck and Catch a Great Ol' Big Un!!
