Bass roaming in inches of water

[Fordbassin]

Hello I'm new to this forum so deal with me. I went to a local pond today in east tn. Water temp around 55-60 degrees. I was seeing bass big and small roaming in inches of water. From the shallow water even into the deeper parts. I was curious if these fish have some how already spawned or till prespawn. Just curious if any one has any clue on what stage these fish are in. I've never seen this before in this body of water

[Paul Roberts]

You're in pre-spawn. You are observing a warming trend, and possibly new moon influence. But separating those two factors is difficult. Here, I'm in a cooling trend, and the new moon has done nothing.

[RoLo]

 

Welcome to the forum.

 

At what latitude are you located?

 

 

[Scott F]

Shallow water heats up faster than deeper water does. The very shallow fish might have been just seeking the warmest water they could find.  As far as a new moon influence? Someone might have to explain to me how the moon could have any influence on a pond. Do you think the bass were responding to high tide? Considering something as small as a bass boat has more gravitational pull on a fish than the moon does, even a new moon, I can't see how it could effect bass behavior.

[WRB]

Cruisers are indication of transition from pre spawn to spawn. Pond bass tend to patrol the perimeter of ponds normally, but since it's the beginning of your spawn cycle, that is what you are seeing.

Tom

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard!

 

Yup! Pre-spawn cruisers. Almost impossible

to catch by my experience. 

[RoLo]

 

8 minutes ago, WRB said:

Cruisers are indication of transition from pre spawn to spawn. Pond bass tend to patrol the perimeter of ponds normally, but since it's the beginning of your spawn cycle, that is what you are seeing.

Tom

 

That's why I inquired about latitude.

Pre-spawn scouting typically involves buck bass,

but if the OP lives in Florida he's in the spawning season.

 

[david in va]

4 minutes ago, Scott F said:

Shallow water heats up faster than deeper water does. The very shallow fish might have been just seeking the warmest water they could find.  As far as a new moon influence? Someone might have to explain to me how the moon could have any influence on a pond. Do you think the bass were responding to high tide? Considering something as small as a bass boat has more gravitational pull on a fish than the moon does, even a new moon, I can't see how it could effect bass behavior.

 

 The moon affects about everything, from firewood to cutting pigs, from planting potatoes to how many crimes are being committed and most important of all,when the fishing is good.

 I was raised on a farm went did everything by the fazes of the moon. I still do to. Take it for what it worth

7 minutes ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard!

 

Yup! Pre-spawn cruisers. Almost impossible

to catch by my experience. 

treble hook  , no not me cause I dont eat fish

[Scott F]

Don't forget, the moon also effects ware wolves. Scientific studies have been done and none have ever showed any evidence that the moon has any effect on largemouth bass. Ocean fish are different. They have the tides, which are moon driven to deal with. Many of the other wives tales like the moon effects crime have also shown to be false. Most of the moon effects are more driven by folklore and superstition than actual fact.  The amount of light reflected off the moon, whether full, new, or in between, can have an effect on night feeding of fish, which can have an effect on how they feed later during the daytime. Show me ANY scientific study that proves that moon phase effects bass especially during the spawn and I'll be happy to read it.

[Fordbassin]

Holy cow. Thank you all for the responses so quick these forums are sick! By latitude idk if you mean exact or just where im fishing. I'm in East Tennessee and it's starting to get very warm here. Can someone tell me exactly how the moon effects the fish

[Mikie9]

Sounds like you are near me. On the main lakes your are seeing the bucks. In the next week or too if TVA stops jacking with the levels we are about to spawn. Been catching them with dirty/bloody tails, so they are makin beds

I haven't fished any of the ponds around here but I would imagine they are doing the same. The water has been warming over the last couple of weeks.

 

I know everything about how the moon affects fish brains... but I ain't tellin nobody!

 

[david in va]

1 minute ago, Mikie9 said:

Sounds like you are near me. On the main lakes your are seeing the bucks. In the next week or too if TVA stops jacking with the levels we are about to spawn. Been catching them with dirty/bloody tails, so they are makin beds

I haven't fished any of the ponds around here but I would imagine they are doing the same. The water has been warming over the last couple of weeks.

 

I know everything about how the moon affects fish brains... but I ain't tellin nobody!

 

Yep Mike we better keep it to ourselves

 The Dogwoods are blooming here in southern Va and the Bass are beginning to spawn

 

 

[Wayne P.]

In Central Va, I have been catching large, small, and medium size bass in less than 2' of water for about a month. They have been roaming and eating.

Water temps in the mid 50's.

[Fordbassin]

Wanna help me on what ya been catching em on lol. I've been catching em on red cranks on the lakes

[Mikie9]

Cranks, rattletraps, swimbaits, and starting to see some luck on craw jigs. Mostly on moving bait right now though. 

[RoLo]

2 hours ago, Fordbassin said:

Can someone tell me exactly how the moon effects the fish

 

That wouldn't be me.

 

 

[Paul Roberts]

2 hours ago, Fordbassin said:

Can someone tell me exactly how the moon effects the fish

 

That wouldn't be me.

[WRB]

Full moon increases spawning activity or at least it appears to trigger a major spawning movement and the reason bass tournament organizers schedule events around full moon periods during the spawn cycle. It can also be pointed out that full moon increases light when it occurs during night hours.

Like everything based on observation moon phase activity is subjective, you can ignor it or take advantage of it. I choose to fish during the 5 day period around the full moon during the pre spawn/spawn cycle and it's been good for me.

Check your pond for bass beds the next full moon cycle on April 8 to 12 and decide for yourself.

Tom

[Paul Roberts]

11 hours ago, WRB said:

 

Check your pond for bass beds the next full moon cycle on April 8 to 12 and decide for yourself.

 

MUCH easier said than done. You can trust me on that one.

[Hawkeye21]

14 hours ago, david in va said:

 

 The moon affects about everything, from firewood to cutting pigs, from planting potatoes to how many crimes are being committed and most important of all,when the fishing is good.

 I was raised on a farm went did everything by the fazes of the moon. I still do to. Take it for what it worth

treble hook  , no not me cause I dont eat fish

 

I dare you to have this argument with any teacher or daycare provider.  They will swear by a full moon causing kids to act crazy.

[geo g]

Big bass will often access very shallow waters.  Whether it is chasing an easy meal, seaking shelter in thick vegetation, or some stage of the bedding process, I have caught them in water as shallow as one foot.  With the water temps and spring coming, I think love may be on their mind.

[RoLo]

19 minutes ago, geo g said:

With the water temps and spring coming, I think love may be on their mind. 

 

 

Good point.

Assuming of course, that they have a mind