Don't See How You Guys Do It..

[Mccallister25]

Today reminded me of why I really hate this time of year. I'm not big on the prespawn period at all.

We had a nice day today, so of course I decided to fish a little. Saw tons of little bsitfish hugging the banks of the pond, with all kinds of swirls and a few subtle blowups mixed in. Something was feeding, not really sure if it was bass or not.

I threw a couple things I thought for sure would catch me a few fish, to no avail. Jig, 4" senko, square bill, RES. Nothing worked. I had one little guy follow my jig back to my feet, but no commitment.

Iv never been too successful with this time of year, which stinks because Iv waited on this weather to fish all winter. I get on here and read about some of y'all catching fish already, and just want you to know I'm very jealous!!

I'm ready for my jig to start getting abused, and the top water bite to get hot. =(

[kingmotorboat]

Yea I was fishing boils and top water with a 5 inch yum dinger in junebug. Thing was it was clear water so the color they went on was a little odd. The weird weather down here has kinda messed them up I guess

[kingmotorboat]

Not to mention I had to work it really slow

[Darren.]

I hear ya. Went out today in the yak, 

threw jigs, senkos, Zoom Finesse worms, 

square bills, etc.

 

Nada, zip, zamboni.

 

Couple guys I talked with said they scored

some pickerel in the early AM but that was

it.

 

C'est la vie. I loved my time on the water 

regardless of being skunked!! But I can't wait

till they "abuse" everything I throw, too.

[Catch and Grease]

Its been all about finesse worms for me lately... Caught 8 today on zoom trick worms.

[Crestliner2008]

I *** you folks who are able to wet a line at least! We've still got frozen water and had 2" of fresh snow this morning. Ugh! Anyway, I LOVE the pre-spawn. And I think you should be thinking about two very productive presentations: 1) Blade Baits and 2) Hard Jerkbaits. Of course, you still have to be fishing where they are, but with these two baits, I catch about 70% or more of my early season LM & SM bass.

[kingmotorboat]

I *** you folks who are able to wet a line at least! We've still got frozen water and had 2" of fresh snow this morning. Ugh! Anyway, I LOVE the pre-spawn. And I think you should be thinking about two very productive presentations: 1) Blade Baits and 2) Hard Jerkbaits. Of course, you still have to be fishing where they are, but with these two baits, I catch about 70% or more of my early season LM & SM bass.

This is what I was thinking today. Tried spinners rattle rogues chatterbaits got nothing. Switched to the 5 inch watermelon red flake senko went fast and slow nothing. Went junebug yum dinger worked slow through the grass bam. It was a bit odd for south Louisiana this time of year

[tomustang]

Prespawn is the best time to go out and catch bigger bass, followed by fall bite.

You should regroup your efforts and try something different.

[aceman387]

I got the chance to take my kayak out for the first time this season.I caught nine bass all around a foot long.I had a black & blue jig tied on one rod and the ned rig tied on the other rod.I caught all the bass on the ned rig.

[Mccallister25]

C'est la vie. I loved my time on the water

regardless of being skunked!! But I can't wait

till they "abuse" everything I throw, too.

Oh, no doubt, I enjoyed being out there today also. I love being outdoors period, so I'm very thankful I got to go out.

As far as throwing jerkbaits, that's one thing I have absolutely zero confidence in. I could have sworn that if nothing else I threw today worked, it would have been the senko or either of the crankbaits I had.. Oh well, maybe next time.

[DocNsanE]

 I get on here and read about some of y'all catching fish already, and just want you to know I'm very jealous!!

 

I'm just jealous you were able to wet your line. Everything is still covered in ice and snow here

[BassObsessed]

Try a Strike King Rage Blade and a red lipless crankbait. I have been catching them in my home state the last week in 50 degree water. As far as Junebug , I mentioned before about catching bass in any clarity of water with that color..it just seems to work.

[kingmotorboat]

Try a Strike King Rage Blade and a red lipless crankbait. I have been catching them in my home state the last week in 50 degree water. As far as Junebug , I mentioned before about catching bass in any clarity of water with that color..it just seems to work.

I'm a believer now thought it was just a dirty water till today

[ClackerBuzz]

don't be afraid to throw ur topwater!  coves and skinny water warm up quick and this is the time of year when you never know what is going to slam ur lure. have fun and be creative, top to bottom, fast and slow. someone will be alone to say hello

[WarEagleBassin]

I feel you brother...today should have been a perfect day to catch em but no luck at all. Spoke to 3 or 4 more guys on the lake and nothing. That's why they call it fishing and not catching I guess. Sometimes they just don't do what they are "supposed" to

[BooyahMan]

It's been slow here but I usually manage at least a fish or two to at least take a swipe, and all the fish have been decently sized too. It's frustrating but at the same time incredibly rewarding.

 

Keep trying! Every trip is an experience in itself, fish or no fish. 

[RoLo]

Today reminded me of why I really hate this time of year. I'm not big on the prespawn period at all.

 

The pre-spawn is 'trophy season', but you're right, cool water usually means slower fishing.

As the water warms the action always picks up, but most of the bass during the post-spawn are the smaller males.

 

You mentioned having 'zero confidence' in jerkbaits, but the pre-spawn is a key season for jerkbaits.

Force yourself to throw jerkbaits and you'll be amazed how quickly "zero confidence" bites the dust 

 

Roger

[Bankbeater]

Prespawn around here usually means a sinus infection, or a weather pattern where is warm during the week, and cold and rainy on the weekends.

[Khan of the Res]

90% of what I like about this sport is sitting around doing nothing. If the fishing is slow, it gives me time to practice my bushcraft.

[SFL BassHunter]

When I see swirls and blowups I cast right into it. Generally with a 5 inch StickO  weightless or texas rigged with a 1/8 oz sinker. If I can hit my mark right on the blowup or swirl generally that faster moving senko will cause a reaction strike.

 

The other day I caught this one  weightless with the sticko. I saw the swirl, then it left some wake behind and another swirl, on the second swirl I put the bait right on him.

 

 

[J McRae]

Its been a hit and miss for me on the last few outings. I went out Wednesday and caught two between 1-2 lbs and three came off. Not sure if it was a short strike or what. Almost broke my rod when setting the hook on the second lost fish because whatever it was on the other end didn't budge... Talk about a broken heart. It took a few minutes to get over that one. 

 

The weather has cooled down since the rain came in last night. The water temp was already down on Wednesday. I'm waiting for 2-3 days of consistent 70 degree weather before I head out again. I should have better results the next time, but anything can happen.

[WolfyBrandon]

I get on here and read about some of y'all catching fish already, and just want you to know I'm very jealous!!

 

Today I caught my 3rd bass of the year, and I have to tell you it's been a grind. I fish from 3:30pm - ~8:00pm and I have seriously only gotten 1 bite per day which resulted in 1 fish per day. My advice for you is to have a game plan before you head out fishing that day so that you are prepared, make sure you fish every cast at 100% like your expecting one to bite it no matter what, don't be afraid to try different baits if the ones you are currently using aren't working, and most importantly keep a PMA! Every day that I've been out I've had snags, loop knots, and other things that could have prevented me from getting that one bite that kept me from getting a 0 that day.

 

WolfyBrandon

[RipzLipz]

Today reminded me of why I really hate this time of year. I'm not big on the prespawn period at all.

 

I had one little guy follow my jig back to my feet, but no commitment.

Iv never been too successful with this time of year, which stinks because Iv waited on this weather to fish all winter. I get on here and read about some of y'all catching fish already, and just want you to know I'm very jealous!!

I'm ready for my jig to start getting abused, and the top water bite to get hot. =(

Be patient - it will eventually be rewarded.  I used to hate every month before May until I had some success throwing jigs.  Now the ice can't melt fast enough for me.  Fish the areas that hold fish over and over but pick one or two bait each outing and stick with those until you find the one they want.  Keep a log until you've got it figured out.  Pretty good chance you'll be able to repeat it year after year.  As others have already said, the really big mamas are typically caught early so that should keep your spirits up.  Don't go into the early season thinking you're going to load the boat - you're fishing for a handful of bites, but the ones you do stick should be larger than usual - at least that's what goes on this time of year where I live.....but we're still anywhere from 20°F to 50°F during the daylight hours right now.  I'd be surprised if the surface temps are over 50 where I fish.  Hang in there, it just takes one big bite to change your outlook on the early season!

[Sam]

Hey Bigblock, many of us are feeling your pain.

 

It is too early to bank fish in many ponds due to the water temperature.

 

A pond will retain heat easier than a river or lake, but at the same time the bass will behave the same way depending on water temperature in all bodies of water.

 

May I suggest you invest in a swimming pool thermometer? You can get a good one at a swimming pool store.

 

Use the swimming pool temperature gauge to find out the water temperature you are fishing and then select the baits and techniques for that water temperature and water clarity.

 

I would suspect that in North Carolina the bass are moving up to start finding good places for their beds. The males are on schedule to focus on starting a new family while the females are still deep or holding along their spawning paths that they use every year.

 

Both sexes should be eating to fatten up once the water temperature hits 60*. If the water temperature is under 60* you will get some great bites from the big ladies with a jig and pig while the smaller males will go for everything else you want to throw.

 

And watch your Dogwood trees. When they are in full bloom the bass are on their beds. You can gauge the spawn process by the Dogwood's buds showing first signs and then to full bloom.

 

And being in North Carolina shouldn't you be watching basketball like everyone else in the state???

[Mccallister25]

Hey Bigblock, many of us are feeling your pain.

It is too early to bank fish in many ponds due to the water temperature.

A pond will retain heat easier than a river or lake, but at the same time the bass will behave the same way depending on water temperature in all bodies of water.

May I suggest you invest in a swimming pool thermometer? You can get a good one at a swimming pool store.

Use the swimming pool temperature gauge to find out the water temperature you are fishing and then select the baits and techniques for that water temperature and water clarity.

I would suspect that in North Carolina the bass are moving up to start finding good places for their beds. The males are on schedule to focus on starting a new family while the females are still deep or holding along their spawning paths that they use every year.

Both sexes should be eating to fatten up once the water temperature hits 60*. If the water temperature is under 60* you will get some great bites from the big ladies with a jig and pig while the smaller males will go for everything else you want to throw.

And watch your Dogwood trees. When they are in full bloom the bass are on their beds. You can gauge the spawn process by the Dogwood's buds showing first signs and then to full bloom.

And being in North Carolina shouldn't you be watching basketball like everyone else in the state???

Thanks for all the advice Samm! Its been pretty warm over here for the last week and a half or so. I feel like things are picking up. We had a cold front come through yesterday, and it's not supposed to get outta the 50's today. Below freezing at night up until Monday. Next week supposed to be warmer again. In the 70's I believe. I'll probably pick the rods back up around Tuesday or Wednesday.

As far as the basketball is concerned, I'm a Georgia Dawg. My top two teams left are Duke, and of course Kentucky.