Wierd Bass Behaviour

[catch anything]

OK guys so its finally staying warm and the bass are getting super shallow in small schools and just staring at the bank. Some of these fish are big and I don't know how to catch them. Its very frustrating lol, I throw weightless worms jigs small flukes right to them by them I jigged them did everything I could and they wouldn't bite. What can I do? the water is going to be warm with temps in the 70's all week so im thinking there going to spawn soon is that why their acting weird? please help guys

[Shane J]

In most parts of N.C. the bass are in the midst of spawn time. Some have, some are right now, and some are getting real close. Work outside and through those areas with a quick moving swim jig to match the baitfish, and you'll hookup.

[WiscoBassman]

I have seen this in a pond I fish sometimes. I don't know how well this will work, but I would cast a popper right along the shore about a foot off and just pop it in front of them. See if that works, if not just use the old standby of jigs.

[BassAssassin726]

Up here in Philly theyre in pre spawn mode and we have been slaying them with chartruese spinnerbaits and big half ounce chatruese rooster tails with gold blades.

[BigBassBarry]

It sounds like they are on the beds.  It also sounds like if you are throwing texas rigged worms and not catching em.  they have probably been caught already and will be hard to catch again.  Just what it sounds like to me.

[catch anything]

Alright thanks guys! and Shane J where I live its been kinda chilly so far this spring

[WRB]

Late pre spawner's that are cruising can be frustrating, the key is don't try to catch fish you can see that are not holding on bed sites. The chatter bait is very good under these circumstances, cover the shallow flats and deeper brakes.

Tom

[Scott F]

Bass that are on beds do not feed which may be why they ignore your baits.  Bass that are very near the shore but are not spawning can be easily spooked. If you are fishing from shore, you have to walk slowly and try not to let your presence be seen or felt. Once they know you are there, it's unlikely they'll hit anything.

[craww]

      Don't know what part of NC your in, but I noticed a bunch of fish in a similar pattern today 30 miles north of the VA/NC border, prespawn fish...Alot of bass cruising in general, quite shallow. There is a period of time in late prespawn when the fish get in a funk. It can be quite frustrating as you'll often see some MASSIVE fish seemingly wandering aimlessly. WRB gave you a great recommendation in the chatterbait, I love throwing one with a bluegill looking skirt. The deal for me today was aggresively hopping a tx rigged yammamoto flappin hog. 

 

       Around here in addition to the old dogwood adage,  a good indicator is the turkey activity. As a hunter Ive noticed that when the gobblers get hot in the spring, the spawn is full on. Been doing some calling the past few days, and the birds aren't there yet.

[catch anything]

Thanks for the help! I hate this funk their in

[bassinyea]

Shane J.  I am wondering what part of NC you are fishing cause all the lakes around where I fish in the piedmont the bass definately havent spawned.  All the fish we have been catching are def pre spawn and fat.  Water where Im at just broke 55 degree surface temp a couple of days ago.  Also, the surface temp you read on your sonar will read warmer than the water actually is down a few feet where the fish are living.  We have been catching some good size fish, just not big numbers of fish yet.  Seems to me like the big ones move up shallow first and when the water warms up a lil more all the other bass will hit the banks too. 

[Shane J]

I haven't fished NC since last year, but have friends in Va. that have caught fish off beds already. Some of your fish have spawned.

[DelfiBoyz_One_and_Only]

Try the old drop shot or shaky head.  Cast past the fish and keep bumping them with your bait.  Try not to let them see you if you can help it, just keep the bait in there face.  Eventually they will get ticked off and hit it.  Try brighter colored baits so that you can see when the bass picks it up.  The color isnt going to matter to the fish its just going to get ticked off and bite it.

 

Jay-

[BuckMaxx]

_{Go with a lizard they eat them to kill them not because they are hungry.}

[RoachDad]

It may seem that way but its not.  https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/bass-fishing-fish-biology.html  a bass has a memory of around 15 minutes.  You can catch them over and over with the same bait in the same place.

On 4/6/2013 at 5:25 PM, soonerfisherman said:

It sounds like they are on the beds.  It also sounds like if you are throwing texas rigged worms and not catching em.  they have probably been caught already and will be hard to catch again.  Just what it sounds like to me.

[hunt1moore]

I can relate exactly to what you are experiencing. Recently I have caught them on small jerk baits to large broken-back poppers in the middle of shallow coves. I try throwing a popper very aggressive to mimmic chasing then I go back and forth between a popper and the small jerk bait or small wildeye minnow.

They go thru spurts of feeding and just got to be there trying to throw what ever you have that looks like the bait they are chasing.

The bass are/were not spawing on Tillery last weekend either but seems to share the same phase as your lake. Temps were in the 55 degree or below range. Unfortunately, Tillery is a resevior lake and cold water is constantly being introduced from Badin Lake where other lakes in NC are warming up.

[Paul Roberts]

Others described it well -cruising late prespawn females. Their jaws will loosen up soon -just as the groups break up to spawn.