Bed Or No Bed?

[Mccallister25]

Ok people, Ill start by saying Iv actually never purposely targeted bass beds. I really dont even ever see any, so this is a genuine question for you guys...

 

Theres a pond nearby I started fishing at last spring, around the same time as now actually. I found one particular spot in the pond that produced a pretty nice fish for me. The "spot" in particular is right underneath an overhanging tree and backs right up to the bank which is just a dropoff of the ground into the water maybe a foot high. The water cant be no more than maybe a foot deep where I casted to. As soon as my jig hit the water last year the fish almost ripped the rod out of my hands. Heres the fish:

 

 

I went to the same spot 2 or 3 days ago and casted underneath the tree. Ended up catching a little fish. 1.5 pounds maybe.

 

Went back today and threw a jig to the same spot. Same thing as last year, this smacked my jig so hard I almost lost my rod:

 

 

Also caught another bass out of the same spot off a shakey head. 2 pounds.

 

The reason I ask if this may be a bedding area is because I can get right up along the bank and see outlines of rocks in the stained water, but never see any of these fish. If it is a bed, do bass choose the same bedding areas year after year? Thanks guys, Hungry to learn about this.

[papajoe222]

It's likely a good spot for a bed, but there likely isn't a pair of bass committed to it yet. Your catching a variety is a good indication of that, or you've been catching fish that have chosen the spot, but haven't made it 'home' yet. I have no idea if a fish, like some birds, will return to the same spot each mating season. I do believe that they use the same area.

[Paul Roberts]

...do bass choose the same bedding areas year after year?

Yes.

 

[Mccallister25]

Yes.

Very insightful.

Anybody else?

[Lund Explorer]

Very insightful.

Anybody else?

 

Okay.  Yes Also!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Seriously, there are just so many places that meet the needs for a fish to spawn.  Unless there is a drastic change to the lake itself, fish will spawn in the same spots year after year.

 

The bigger question is why you felt the need to make the statement that you never knowingly fish bass beds.  A bed is nothing more than a spot to target during the spring, which is little different than a dock is a place to target during the summer.  Of bigger concern should be the pictures of the bass covered with grass and dirt which is known for a fact to be detrimental to them.  Just saying.

[everythingthatswims]

Sounds like a spot that you tell your buddy "hey, watch this" before you toss to it. Some spots just always hold fish. Prime real estate.

[F14A-B]

I don't know if it's a bed or not, but, sounds like a great little hotspot to me! Fish on!!

[Mccallister25]

The bigger question is why you felt the need to make the statement that you never knowingly fish bass beds. A bed is nothing more than a spot to target during the spring, which is little different than a dock is a place to target during the summer. Of bigger concern should be the pictures of the bass covered with grass and dirt which is known for a fact to be detrimental to them. Just saying.

Well, I added that only because I didn't wanna ask a question about bedding bass with the assumption that I was fishing for them. I don't really know how or where to find beds. I never see them.

As far as the grass/dirt issue is concerned.. I try to take care of the fish to the best of my ability. Always.

I don't have a boat or anything for fish to land on if they were to slip or get away from me. Which does happen. To everyone. I love the bass I fish for, and animals in general. Also if I'm fishing alone, catch a photo worthy fish and no ones around to take my picture, I'll lay it on the grass beside my rod for a good reference to how big it was. Im fully aware of a fishes slime coat and all of that good stuff, but with that being said I personally feel Luke 10 seconds of laying on grass isn't enough to kill the fish. The stuff probably starts coating back over after being in the water anyway.

But enough of that, we've gone out on a tangent. Just wanting to learn about beds

And the potential bed Iv been nailing bass on.

[Paul Roberts]

Very insightful.

Anybody else?

Some people complain that I say too much!

 

You asked only one question. If you are asking whether your spot is a bed or not, I can't tell you from here. If you can't see directly, you may have to wade or swim in and see. Researchers often don snorkeling gear. If you don't know what beds look like, Google some images and then go out and start walking pond shorelines. You'll find some eventually.

[Paul Roberts]

Bass using the same spawning location year after year is due to a homing instinct. Sites that successfully produce young get re-visited, resulting in more success. Sites that fail don't have many return spawners. What sorts out is that some sites -usually protected (from temperature swings and wind erosion) and with appropriate substrate- get revisited. Individual males are known to revisit the exact same bed repeatedly.

[RoLo]

From all appearances, the bedding site is imprinted in the offspring who instinctively return.
Through attrition, the success of the most appropriate sites is a self-fulfilling prophesy.

 

Roger

[WRB]

It's easy to see a bass bed if you know what to look for. If a small bass doesn't leave the 3' to 4' area he is guarding, it's a bed site. If the bass runs away and returns to the exact same area within a few minutes it's a bed.....if it's spawning season. The water has warmed from being cold during the winter to around 60 to 70 degrees in the spring.this isn't rocket sceince!

Tom