Fishing the Spawn

Fishing the Spawn

We are approaching the spawn and as we do there are some keys to catching bass that if you keep in mind, you can really improve your day on the water. The first thing is to do a little research and understand the bass behavior during the spawn; bass generally move to shoreline where there are hard bottom areas where they can create nests and guard their eggs to spawn. Water temperature is crucial as bass generally bed with water temps between 60 and 70 degrees. Polarized sunglasses are a must so you can locate visually the beds or the cleared-out circle areas in the shallows.

Lure selection is critical during the spawn, lightly weighted soft plastics are a must so you can entice the bass while they’re in the bedding process. I like creature baits, worms, lizards during the spawn; there are many ways to rig them to get a positive result. Whacky rigged is a favorite, also Teas rigged lightly weighted with 1/8 oz. slip weight is also effective, Neiko rigged. Drop shot rigs also work in the spawn, the key is patience, effective and enticing shaking of the bait with a jigging action that gives them a reason to strike. It’s also a must to approach beds quietly so the bass doesn’t get scared and moves off the bed as you approach them. Many times, depending on water clarity you can see the beds and target fish you can see with your bait. Sight fishing is a favorite for many bed fishermen on clear lakes especially where the lake is relatively deep except on the shorelines, and you can easily see and fish on their beds.

There is no doubt that bed fishing is a favorite of many bass fishermen, it’s also a time when your next year’s fishing conditions are right in front of you; if you don’t respect the bedding fish by putting them back you could hurt the next years conditions. Remember weather conditions can change bedding fish habits fronts move them off and, on the beds, cold water moves them out, wind can move them so adapting to the weather is key to successful bed fishing. Adjust to the weather and have fun as the bedding fish are always a blast to catch.