Paul Roberts

27-3/4???? Do they come any longer??? Was that a TN fish? Congratulations!

From my experience with northern largemouths (in CO and NY) in small waters: At 45, it's very slow a crawl. Simply takes patience. At 50 options increase, and fish are much more willing, or at least able to meet you part way. At 55 I start picking up the pace. The bass can chase well by then. I may speed test small fish when I start. A thermometer is faster though. Topwaters are a possibility. Above 60 bass can really chase and at 65 or better you physically cannot reel too fast if a bass really wants that bait. Not that that's the best tact, but if the fish are willing you can sure cover water and catch a lot of bass. Realize, though, that these are surface temperatures. They don't represent the temps where the bass are likely holding. Until early summer, surface temp readings are only skin deep inches early on, then penetrating deeper as the season wears on. For example, in early spring, water 3 feet deep will likely be 10 degrees colder than the surface. When bass are beginning to spawn, in ~65F surface temps, water at 3 feet is likely 5 degrees colder. So, if the bass are holding just below where one can see them (the common security zone for bass) they are likely in colder water than I'm measuring. The bass are responding to lures well at actual temperatures colder than my list shows. WRB might chime in here, he had said he'd taken actual body temperatures of bass at one time. So, my temps above represent surface temps and serve as a general guide I use as I fish. But, more important than the actual temperatures on an hour by hour basis are temperature trends whether the temperatures are rising or falling and how quickly. To see how I use this in practice find my post, Two Interesting Days on Boulder Colorado Pond in the Western Reports section of this site (It's back a page or so now, or search it.). A really important part of all this in terms of presentation is what I call chase speed: What are the bass willing to commit to? They seem to judge whether they can catch a bait or not whether they are willing to expend the energy to capture it. I believe this is more important to larger bass and is, in part, why large bass can be harder to catch. Thus, how much horizontal (forward) movement matters this is the crux of speed control. When the water is cold, bass generally are less willing to commit to the chase. This doesn't mean bass CANNOT chase at cold temps they can, but from what I read it's more energetically costly. Whether this is truly physiological or in relation to availability of prey in winter, I dunno. There certainly ARE circumstances where bass will chase in cold water. Shad die-offs in the winter are a classic example. Actively feeding bass, with prey in front of them, and their target screen set, are more willing to chase at any temperature. As are bass in high competition with their cohorts. But, I'd venture to say that in most circumstances, you're better off slowing down in colder water -way down in very cold water. Your job is to ferret this stuff out. Start with an appropriate lure type for the metabolic requirements of the day (or better, the hour) at hand, and divine and refine the appropriate presentation. This is where versatility shines, and beats the "GoTo" nearly every time. There's a reply further down the above mentioned thread ("Two Fascinating Days...") where I describe some of this presentation stuff in more detail. Is this helpful, or confusing?

Not likely. That fish was just "confused", for lack of a better word. Once he came to, he took off.

In-Fisherman Handbook of Strategies: Largemouth Bass.

Versatility is a key skill. The confidence to fish different lures comes down to having good days with a new lures -the fish really are the best teachers in this regard.

Joel, Great report. A lot of people look at those conditions and psyche themselves out -confidence is huge! Dropping temps and high skies can be more difficult, but it's not all about numbers. Sounds like you rose to the challenge really well, and put together a good day. I'd be pretty pleased with myself.

Those are breaching carp. They do it A LOT during their spawn. I've never seen bass leap clear unless hooked, occasionally when attacking a topwater, or chasing dragonflies (little bass, come summer). Bass chasing preyfish may break top but this is usually a boil or surge, sometimes with preyfish leaping clear. Breaching carp jump clear, and often repeatedly. I have seen a number of anglers over the years mistaking breaching carp for bass -me included, once upon a time. Why do carp leap? I call it "breaching" because it's likely a communication thing (like with whales). Carp are ostariophysids -they've got special ossified (bone) chambers in their skulls that act to amplify sound. My guess is they communicate size, or intent, by breaching. I once got to watch breaching carp through clear water and it looked like this: An egg-laden female cruised quickly with a group of male suitors following tightly. These males breached repeatedly above her. Whether this is the typical thing I don't know, but likely it is.

Rarely a waste of time. Drops in temp seem to bother anglers more than bass -I didn't always believe that. But, bright sun can make getting close to fish without spooking them really tough. Plus, your going to have 60's. That'll likely warm the water some through the day from overnight lows. That's good! Some possibilities: Fish from further away, fish lighter lines, fish deeper, fish thicker cover, fish translucent finishes and chromes, do not let the fish get a good look at your lure (speed, erratic). Obviously, not all at the same time! Pick and choose for the water in front of you. Also, look for water that will help disguise your casting disturbances and lures: wind rippled surface, slightly turbid waters. Don't stay home! Go find some magic you can share with the rest of us.

Sounds like a typical response under bright sun to me. Do you find this much different in summer?

In general, most of the time, the bass I know prefer to be out of sight. When they are shallow, they seem to prefer to be only as shallow as beyond where you can see bottom. They can be hard to see. They are also much relaxed under overcast skies. They appear to hunt more efficiently (although I've read otherwise in some cases -Florida in particular), but what I've seen makes me think bass may have an advantage over prey (at least sunfish) under darker conditions. Bass appreciate shade, not for temperature (it's not likely to be much different) but for security and maybe hunting advantages. When do I see bass under bright sun? Early in the spring, on really good heating days (calm, bright sun) in shallow sheltered areas (coves are great) I may see them sunning. They are very spooky, hard to approach, quick to vacate, much less get a lure to. Later, nearer the spawn, on good heating days, I see females holding high in the water, very near the surface, almost always near some vertical cover piece. These fish are less apt to "vacate" they just sink into the depths or swim slowly away. I've also seen them like this post-spawn into summer, and again in early fall (I believe). These fish are very willing to feed, but can be spooky under the bright conditions. I see this in the shallow ponds I fish. There aren't deep populations of bass, and so my bass become shoreline oriented very soon after ice-out. In larger deeper water bodies many bass are known to remain deeper, although in some large natural lakes I've fished in the past, some bass do move into shallow sheltered coves, like I now see in my ponds. These days are not always the best fishing because under bright sun in shallow water and calm conditions it is very tough not to spook them. I can understand why you might not be catching bass on sunny days -it's difficult not to spook them. With what I have to work with here on your situation I can only guess: One big difference between spring and summer is the amount and density of vegetation. In spring, before the weeds have grown up, bass are much more exposed. Bass are often deeper in summer, which may explain something. Spring waters can be very clear, before summer plankton blooms develop. High water clarity and bright sun can be really tough. In general, I tend to have more difficulty catching shallow bass in bright sun any time of year, except very early spring and late fall, when sun angle is so low (and, at least in early spring, waters are more turbid due to water density supporting fine particles in suspension). Dense cover, deeper water, and plankton blooms, all help in summer. Most of the time, I'll take overcast conditions for sheer intensity of action almost any time. What kind of lake type are you fishing? How do you fish those lures in summer versus spring? What's different between seasons in your water? Just curious... Are you in northern WI? What are your water temps in summer? 78-80 tops? What month do your bass spawn?

If this mud is not the norm (over the year) in this lake, I'd simply choose another fishin' hole. If you don't have another option, or feel like taking the challenge (and the lumps) try these (together): Find the clearest water. Fish a slower straight retrieve, without lots of turns, starts or stops -the opposite of what tends to trigger in clear water. Fish tight to solid cover -close to vertically where you can. Make repeated casts. Lures: Bulky dense-skirted jigs with a bulky chunk trailer ( I like pork). Same in a Colorado bladed spinnerbait. Fat crankbait fished as above (But people often have a tendency to fish crankbaits too fast!). Choose opaque colors: Black, white, fluorescent chartreuse in green-stained, fluorescent red in brown-stained.

Need more info. What type of water body body are you fishing? I'm guessing you are fishing a reservoir, and trying the incoming creeks? Why have you chosen the particular location you are describing? Are you in a boat or on shore? I'm wondering if you can get away from the mud. Different locations, different water body altogether?

I think I can handle the gestation period question. Fish don't really have an internal "gestation period" like mammals do. Fertilization occurs outside the body and embryo development rate is determined by temperature (eggs hatching in about a week in most circumstances). Now egg maturation within the female, what Catt, and maybe Damien, is getting at , is a different thing. With spring spawners it begins the previous year, with immature eggs appearing in the ovaries in the autumn. They then develop slowly (in the south), or enter a nearly complete hiatus (in the north), during winter. In the late winter/early spring there is a surge of hormones coupled with increasing temperatures that bring on maturation. Final timing is a combination of factors: An endogenous rhthym (internal clock; apparently set the previous year), temperature (known to be critical for egg survival), and other stuff I've listed in another recent post. In the upper latitudes where I've fished and observed, calendar dates seem to be most useful, coupled with water temperature trends to fine tune by a week or so. The bulk of the spawn seems to be pretty consistent where I've fished, falling within a week (either side) of a specified week -i.e. I expect the Colorado spawn in my small shallow ponds to fall around the first of May. However, deeper (colder) waters fall later -as much as a month in the deepest ones. Hope this helps.

Dunno. Seasonally -it takes a full year! I've been told (by Ralph Manns) that given enough food (for important fat reserves) females can make more eggs and spawn again. But the spawn period is a window that will pass. Bigger deeper waters with different basins of different depths can produce a long spawn period (lake-wide). As to sexing bass; It's guesswork. Ralph Manns (a biologist specializing in bass) says that no one has found a consistent method. In general, females grow larger than males. Largest, but very rare, males have been known to hit 5lbs.. The only time you can really tell is around during the spawn: by behavior, when females are swollen with eggs in pre-spawn, and post-spawn when they are hollow bellied.

Substrate -hard bottom- usually gravel/small cobble, is the key. It can be hard to tell where the locations are, except by looking. Pick a sunny day and do some scouting. They'll use the area year after year.

Catt, Your probably right. I've read that too -that females drop eggs in several beds. And also, that females, with enough food, can even produce more eggs and spawn again. In my small observation ponds though there are not that many eligible male bass, and it seems without another choice a ready female just loops around an already occupied bed. Not sure if the male will allow her to add more eggs. Thus the "hanger on" idea. Not sure if it's valid. Will have to watch some more.

I read an article recently, F&S I believe of a guy diving with spawning bass and he mentioned bass coloration changes indicating receptivity to lures. I've seen some of the same colorations/pattern he described, but cannot attach receptivity to them. Here's the link: http://www.fieldandstream.com/article_gallery.jsp?ID=1000014272 The female you saw I call a "hanger on". Since your males sound like they are locked onto their beds, they have eggs already in them. I don't know if these females will lay more eggs, or if she's just hanging around, with hormones raging. Anyway, I've found these "hanger's on" females to often be quite catchable. Get a bead on the direction she is traveling (her circuit) cast way ahead (she's likely spooky) and when she approaches the bait (tube is good), wiggle it gently so she can see it. Hopefuly she'll tip up and suck it in. Another way is to swim a swimming tail worm over her -about a foot above her. A straight swim -not too fast! If this doesn't work, move away, then rest her (5min) then approach so she doesn't see you. Stay behind a bush, or if no cover, you may have to pitch from a distance -using the high straight swim. Good luck.

Raul could be right -I've seen that too. But since you saw them so long ago, and especially, the larger beds are already silted in, my guess is that the bass and their fry moved on, and 'gills have moved into the site to spawn too. Both bass and 'gills select the same substrate type -usually gravel, but spawn at different dates. Of course, you're in FL, so there may be overlap in spawning dates. But the silted in bass beds are a real clue that they'd vacated a while ago.

Fishing is an ever changing work in progress. Some thoughts: 1).This time of year bright sun can be a killer. The sun is now high enough that it penetrates straight in and illuminates every detail. Makes getting a lure to the fish without spooking them VERY difficult. Then, if you do get it there, anything amiss and the bass are apt to reject it, especially if they are educated. It helps if you can sight fish at such times, as you get to see their reactions and adjust. Clouds and wind ripples on the surface help you out -a lot. As do the first and last half hour of the day. 2). You are in post-spawn. Male are defensive, but many are a bit tuckered, and may have seen a lot of lures, as the spawn is when a lot of anglers get their licks in. Search for females. You'll most probably need to slow your retrieves, swimming jigs, tubes, worms (swimming tails), in swims, falls (especially), and smooth glides. Topwaters can be great, under low vis conditions -sometimes just wind ripples are all you need. 3). Females may have moved away from spawning areas by this time. In general, bass move "away from shore" after the spawn in a lot of waters -unless there's tons of shallow cover to hide in. Otherwise, they'll likely be relating to the main basin(s). They'll likely stay there for the summer. They often hold high in the water column, picking up heat, so it's possible to fish under them. When shore fishing at these times I break out a fast 7ft spinning rod, with a large spool reel and 20# braid to make long casts. Hopefully there are some away-from-shore feeding shelves you can reach. Or, it may be time to get the rowboat out. 4). If it's been really hot, it's possible (but not likely given the time of year), that the water temps have raised high enough to put bass off during midday. Try early AM, evening, or at night. 5). If the pond is deep enough (20ft or more) there may still be cold water below. Strong wind can roll up this cold water and put 'em off, but this doesn't last long, especially with the hot weather you've had. I doubt this is the issue. 6). If you've got bluegills, they should be spawning now. Find a good colony and fish just beyond, with a jig, tube, or worm. If brilliant sun too, try casting a translucent lure way high and well past the target area (so bass won't see the lure in the air -believe it or not this really spooks 'em in high vis conditions). Then, start retrieving right away with the rod tip held high so the line doesn't fall on the water -This'll freak 'em out too. Swim the bait in then let it fall beyond the colony. Let us know what you come up with.

FisherGirl, How close past the spawn are you there? Got any surface temps? Has it been windy where you are? How deep is your lake? Anything else changed in that time -during times you fished? Especially sky conditions?

You're right..they could not be post spawn. I don't think I would have suggested that. Quote the post here, if you want, and I'll decipher. Better, start a post "Ice Out" or something like that.

So, you're saying you see bass randomly distributed, at ice out, not favoring a particular area? Just curious, where in the water column are they? High? Low? Or all over?

Dominick, I'm not sure what your question is I guess. I guessing the bass you are seeing are heat soaking yet. Are they lying right at the surface? I think you had said they were on both sides of the pit. Again, not sure of your question.

I'd expect tidal bass heat soak too. Largemouths are largemouths. Were these fish in a calm backwater or cove?

Oh man...Don't get me started! Yes, I've noticed that too. And I believe there are some really good physiological reasons why this is so. It has to do with what's called "energetic budgets". Adult cats (very different than kittens) are VERY stingy with their energy. This is true of both wild and domestic cats. I believe it explains why and when certain presentations work, especially so for big fish. I don't have time right now to go further with it than this -I've got to get some work done here. But I'll try to re-visit it at a later date.