BooyahMan Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Getting really excited for this year's bass fishing, and especially intrigued by hitting the pre-spawn. Are there any other indicators that the spawning-aged bass are moving into shallower water besides getting water temperature readings? The reason I ask is because I kept a log of my observations last year in terms of when the lily pads started growing (May) and when Sunfish and juvenile bass started showing up near the shoreline, as well as when I managed to hook/catch anything. However, I didn't have a means of measuring water temperature so I don't have any data on that. I started getting bites during the last week of March last year from dinks (10 inches or less...yes true dinks) just off the shore in water that ranges from 3 to 6 feet deep; would this be a good indication that the big bass are starting to come shallow looking to feed as well? Better yet, are there any correlations between prespawn and some other phenomenon such as when the cherry blossoms start to bloom, for example? Thanks for any insight. Don't want to miss out on this opportunity to tangle with some trophy fish! 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Pacific coast of Canada is the far northern range of LMB. Water temperature is a key factor, it indicates changes in seasonal periods. Pre spawn follows winter or cold water period, 55 degrees or less at the depth the bass are located is a baseline for winter or cold water for bass. Depending on the climate, weather conditions where you located, the water warms slowly. Larger and deeper bodies of water warm slower than smaller shallow bodies of water, so it's difficult to predict seasonal periods using the calendar, water temps are far more accurate. Get yourself a digital thermometer and take the body temperature of the bass you catch, that indicates the water temps the bass was in. The first sign of the end of pre spawn is seeing bass cruising the spawn bays and wind protected areas, that usually happens when the water is about 60 degrees with stable weather conditions. The bass may not move up until the weather is stable. If your lakes have crappie, they spawn about a month before the bass spawn. Tom 5 Quote
BooyahMan Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks for that really informative post WRB! Looks like I'll just have to invest in a thermometer and hit the lake at every opportunity I can until I start catching them. The lakes here don't have any Crappie, only Pumpkinseeds. Do pumpkinseed follow the same timeline as Crappie? I do have a timeline for when they were spawning last year. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks for that really informative post WRB! Looks like I'll just have to invest in a thermometer and hit the lake at every opportunity I can until I start catching them. The lakes here don't have any Crappie, only Pumpkinseeds. Do pumpkinseed follow the same timeline as Crappie? I do have a timeline for when they were spawning last year. No, pumpkinseeds spawn after the bass when the water is close to or above 70 degrees and very shallow water.You can check the surface water temps with a inexpensive floating pool thermometer. Tom 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Other Indications of Pre-spawn Besides Temperature? Hang up the iphone, turn off the ipad, get off the computer! Get youself outside Look at the trees, bugs, birds, & nature; they will give you all the indications you need if you just open your eyes! 6 Quote
HookdUP Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Other Indications of Pre-spawn Besides Temperature? Hang up the iphone, turn off the ipad, get off the computer! Get youself outside Look at the trees, bugs, birds, & nature; they will give you all the indications you need if you just open your eyes! This can't be said enough ... There is no replacement for time on the water 1 Quote
Super User Paul Roberts Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Other Indications of Pre-spawn Besides Temperature? Hang up the iphone, turn off the ipad, get off the computer! Get youself outside Look at the trees, bugs, birds, & nature; they will give you all the indications you need if you just open your eyes! Ditto. But add a thermometer and access to weather trends and that would be me. It's best if you don't have a job. 1 Quote
BooyahMan Posted February 28, 2015 Author Posted February 28, 2015 No, pumpkinseeds spawn after the bass when the water is close to or above 70 degrees and very shallow water. You can check the surface water temps with a inexpensive floating pool thermometer. Tom Interesting. Thanks again; that sort of gives me an idea of when to start looking. Looks like I will be investing in a thermometer for sure. Other Indications of Pre-spawn Besides Temperature? Hang up the iphone, turn off the ipad, get off the computer! Get youself outside Look at the trees, bugs, birds, & nature; they will give you all the indications you need if you just open your eyes! Definitely couldn't agree more; was asking more out of curiosity than anything. I plan to be out there as much as I can and the second I start having success I'll be letting everyone know. Ditto. But add a thermometer and access to weather trends and that would be me. It's best if you don't have a job. Looks like I've got to quit my job then. Although the employee discounts on fishing gear are incredibly tempting. Good thing I'm graduating from post-secondary this semester! Thanks everyone! Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Do you know which trees, bushes, grasses are pollinating? Do you know which trees, bushes, grasses at budding? What are the Honey Bee's doing? What's the cold fronts doing? Did ya know this week was the first cold front from the west instead of north? Do you know why that matters? Ya can learn these indications before work, after work, during your lunch break. Everything around you is talking...are you listening? 3 Quote
Super User RoLo Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Water temperature is among the worst indicators to use for pinpointing the spawn. On the other hand, 'photoperiod' is one of the most reliable indicators. In Florida, there are several spring-fed waters that maintain a year-round temperature between 70 and 72 degrees. Despite a perennially constant water temperature, the bass spawn once-a-year unerringly. Roger 2 Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 The OP is located in BC Canada, further north than Main. The storms are cold from the northwest out of the gulf of Alaska and occur almost weekly. Where live in SoCal the spawn has started in coastal lakes, another month 30 miles inland and 100 miles further south, at Big Bear lake the spawn will not start for at least 3.months as the lake is still frozen over and snowing as I write this, it will that long until the water temps reach the 60's. The difference isn't latitude or photoperiod, it's altitude and water temperature. Tom Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 In Virginia, when the Dogwoods bloom the bass are on their beds. So when the Dogwood trees start to have buds on them it means the bass are starting to move up. Have no idea if you have Dogwood trees in your area. If you do, watch them carefully. 2 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 The OP is located in BC Canada, further north than Main. The storms are cold from the northwest out of the gulf of Alaska and occur almost weekly. Where live in SoCal the spawn has started in coastal lakes, another month 30 miles inland and 100 miles further south, at Big Bear lake the spawn will not start for at least 3.months as the lake is still frozen over and snowing as I write this, it will that long until the water temps reach the 60's. The difference isn't latitude or photoperiod, it's altitude and water temperature. Tom my mistake, I thought Canada was still on planet earth! I'll say it again, "If y'all watch nothing but water temperature y'all will miss most of the pre-spawn". I din't care if it South Canada or South Louisiana! 1 Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 my mistake, I thought Canada was still on planet earth! I'll say it again, "If y'all watch nothing but water temperature y'all will miss most of the pre-spawn". I din't care if it South Canada or South Louisiana! Agree with the other factors...spring is made up of everything that creates winter to spring transition or pre spawn period. Your answers were directed to the OP's question. Water temps are a major factor during this time everywhere bass spawn, not the only factor.Tom 1 Quote
Dypsis Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 Did ya know this week was the first cold front from the west instead of north? Do you know why that matters? Catt - what does this mean and why does it matter? Matt Quote
Super User RoLo Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Catt - what does this mean and why does it matter? Matt A north wind is cold, no matter what direction it comes from Quote
Dypsis Posted February 28, 2015 Posted February 28, 2015 A north wind is cold, no matter what direction it comes from Makes perfect sense - thanks! Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 During the winter most storms are generated in the north artic zones move south with the jet stream, then across the country east bringing cold weather and this has been the pattern this year. Storms generated near the equator move north, picked up by the west to east jet stream and bring warm rain. Out west we call the warm storms El Niño affect and we hope it's coming to end our drought. This weekend the storm is from the north and cold weather will move across the country west to east again. Tom Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Artic fronts bring sub-zero temperatures, frozen perception, and winter. Pacific fronts bring warmer temperatures, rain, and spring. Tom, the OP asked for "Other Indications Of Pre-spawn Bass Besides Temperature", ya gave him temperature. Quote
Super User WRB Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Artic fronts bring sub-zero temperatures, frozen perception, and winter. Pacific fronts bring warmer temperatures, rain, and spring. Tom, the OP asked for "Other Indications Of Pre-spawn Bass Besides Temperature", ya gave him temperature. I realized that, you answered his question.We haven't had any warm pacific storms yet, everything is out of the Alaskian gulf and cold, that is why we have snow instead of rain in March. Nothing is blooming, the trees are not leafing out, but the water is in the low 60's at Casitas (near the beach), so the bass are up and males are making nest sites. Following this weekend storm, the bass will move down and return in about a week if the weather stabilizes. Normally there would be signs of spring, not this year so far. Peace. Tom Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 Surface temperatures here are right at 60 degrees and have been for 10-12 days but the spawn is still a good 4-6 weeks away. The 60 degrees is reached during mid-day and lost by evening and night. So what good is that 60 degrees reading? Then you can go the other direction and have the bass spawn in temperatures in the mid 50s. Quote
Super User ww2farmer Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 A good indication around here is we'll start getting busy at work, and I'll have far less time to fish than I want to. LOL 3 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 28, 2015 Super User Posted February 28, 2015 A good indication around here is we'll start getting busy at work, and I'll have far less time to fish than I want to. LOL I'm retired and I struggle just to get a day per week this year! Quote
matuka Posted March 1, 2015 Posted March 1, 2015 My swimming pool, (unheated) mimics the surface temp of my home lake pretty darn close. As others have said, certain foliage helps. Dogwoods, Redbuds etc. My neighborhood has a lot of trees that stink when they bloom, but it tends to indicate it's rippin time. If you wait for the ornamental cherry blossoms, you may be a bit late. Quote
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