Question regarding bass behavior and constantly changing temperatures?

[Nepatizz]

Hello, 

 

It is a weird type of year before Spring in the Northeast where we are having 60 to 65 degree days some days where I am, but it is mostly staying in the low to mid fifties in on average. I was wondering how random warm days like that affect bass movement behavior. Are bass more active on random warm days when the temperature has been slightly too low for pre-spawn on the other days? Or does the water temp need to be consistently warmer for a  week or a few weeks in order for behavior and eating habits to take affect? 

 

In other words, do they behave on a day to day basis in terms of air and water temperature? It makes sense considering how the heat affects their habits. 

 

Thanks

 

DP

 

[PhishLI]

It usually takes a few days of stable temps after a cold snap before they come around. The 3rd day is usually best. Friday and Saturday we were frozen stiff, mostly due to the N winds. The water was noticeably colder while wading. It'll be 68 today, so tonight they may be active, but tomorrow should be poppin with the cloud cover, low pressure, and warm rain.

 

P.S. The depth of the lake or pond is a factor. We have mostly shallow lakes around here, so the effect of temp swings is felt to a greater degree.

[Nepatizz]

By that sense, shallower lakes seem to be ideal with these conditions. Especially if I'm bank fishing.

 

Thanks, that's helpful! 

[WRB]

The only temperature that maters to bass is the water temps. Water warms and cools slowly unless cold rainy windy weather mixes the water column. Find wind protected areas with access to deeper water.

Weather fronts are part of the winter to spring transition time period. The bass will move up and begin their spawn cycle starting with pre spawn.

Tom

[Catt]

What's ya water temps?

What's ya night temps?

 

When night temperatures stay above water temperatures you'll see a significant rise in water temperatures.

 

Unless like @WRB mentioned...rain ?

[Koz]

We had that situation around here yesterday. After cloudy, damp, and cool weather during the day yesterday was a sunny day that warmed into the low sixties late in the afternoon.

 

Earlier in the day the bass were sitting down the drop offs near the flats. But as the sun beat down more and warmed the many laydowns the bass moved to those downed trees as they absorbed more heat and transferred it to the surrounding water..

[Mobasser]

Our water temps have been steady for several days, slowly warming. Today, we're having a cold rain all day long. I'm sure the temps are dropping a little. That's how it always goes in springtime for us 

[The Bassman]

16 hours ago, Mobasser said:

Our water temps have been steady for several days, slowly warming. Today, we're having a cold rain all day long. I'm sure the temps are dropping a little. That's how it always goes in springtime for us 

And fish can still be caught. The difference for me though is my perception of the air temp. After being out when it's 65* 45 seems colder than 35 did a month ago. Guess it's part of getting old.

[Bird]

Water temps really don't fluctuate that much, more gradual. 

 

We've had an incredibly warm March " 70's H 50's L " and water temps are still in the upper 40's here and the few fish I've been catching are sluggish and feel like ice.

 

Longer days and water temps into the 50's increase productivity.....for me.

[Nepatizz]

On 3/9/2020 at 2:28 PM, Koz said:

We had that situation around here yesterday. After cloudy, damp, and cool weather during the day yesterday was a sunny day that warmed into the low sixties late in the afternoon.

 

Earlier in the day the bass were sitting down the drop offs near the flats. But as the sun beat down more and warmed the many laydowns the bass moved to those downed trees as they absorbed more heat and transferred it to the surrounding water..

That's interesting! It seems that if the weather is warmer, most of them rush to the banks to find food. Thanks! 

[Paul Roberts]

Well... there's a lot to it. Others have touched on the major factors. Here's my most recent shot it: