Bass forage

[Hanansong]

Hey guys. During the postspawn, do the bass mainly eat bluegill that are spawning or shad. In my lake there are threadfin shad and I googled when they spawn and is mostly form April to August. But also I went to the lake yesterday and I saw bluegill spawning. Don't know which one to imitate.

Hanan

Thanks for all the info

[MN Fisher]

4 minutes ago, Hanansong said:

During the postspawn, do the bass mainly eat bluegill that are spawning or shad.

What ever they can catch.

4 minutes ago, Hanansong said:

Don't know which one to imitate.

I'd try both.

[papajoe222]

Bass are opportunistic feeders. Their first move after the spawn is generally to the first structural change away from the spawning area. When the bluegill spawn, it's often in the same area the bass did.  It's an easy move for the bass to return to that area.  I'd start with a bluegill imitator in that area. 

One more thing. Bass will opt for crawfish over most any other forage, so if you're undecided or not sure, keep that in mind.

[Hanansong]

5 minutes ago, papajoe222 said:

Bass are opportunistic feeders. Their first move after the spawn is generally to the first structural change away from the spawning area. When the bluegill spawn, it's often in the same area the bass did.  It's an easy move for the bass to return to that area.  I'd start with a bluegill imitator in that area. 

One more thing. Bass will opt for crawfish over most any other forage, so if you're undecided or not sure, keep that in mind.

Thank you. Will keep in mind

[Ogandrews]

This might be me over analyzing the situation but I think that bass will pick other forage sources over bluegill most of the time if they have the opportunity. Bluegill are a hard shape for bass to eat and are super spiny which doesn’t make them the best forage in the world. I know around here generally if the bass have the option they will feed on perch, which are a lot more slender, over bluegill if there is a good population of both. Obviously bass eat a lot of bluegill but if there is another good source of forage like Shad, shiners, sculpin, smaller tulibee species, or crayfish I think they will usually try to eat that first. I could also be wrong and giving bass too much credit though, you’ll probably catch them imitating either one.

[RyneB]

I don't think a bass is a picky eater. I've seen bluegill tails,crawfish,frog legs,crappie, small bass,shad,bird feathers, and perch in bass throats at all stages of the season. I do notice in my area, that ice out is when the bigguns want a 7inch glide bait in a shad pattern. Mimic a craw,bluegill,shad and you can't go wrong. Having said that, my best post spawm bait is a lizard.

[Hammer 4]

Mainly here in So. Cali in most ponds/lakes bluegills are the main forage, but not always. Bass will eat most anything they can swallow, and in some cases, things they can't swallow.

 

I would concentrate on size, presentation, and speed..There are a number of baits that will work during this time of year, you just have to find what it is..

 

FWIW, you can catch bass on lures that have no resemblance to what's actually in the water,  a spinnerbait is a good example, and one which works. 

[kidiraq]

This is a great question and one I hope to learn from as well as I’m in the same exact boat, pun intended lol. Exactly how I got here to, trying to find out. I can see a bass near the beds stalking the bluegill but refusing what I throw at him. Every so often the bass will charge in and then move back to the same corner of the bluegill beds. Amazing to watch, brain numbing trying to get a bite and I’ve thrown it all it seems! 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

He could be bedded or protecting fry, just running the bluegill off as opposed to feeding. 

[DitchPanda]

In the past week I've caught a bass with a shad in its throat and a bluegill in another ones throat. I've caught bass on a bluegill swim jig and a shad spinnerbait at an almost equal clip this spring...would give the edge to the swim jig but it's a slight edge and I've thrown it more. Could also be the action of the jig over the spinner as well. One color pattern overlooked is crappie...bass chew am and they kinda pass for shad too. 

On 5/13/2020 at 9:20 PM, papajoe222 said:

Bass are opportunistic feeders. Their first move after the spawn is generally to the first structural change away from the spawning area. When the bluegill spawn, it's often in the same area the bass did.  It's an easy move for the bass to return to that area.  I'd start with a bluegill imitator in that area. 

One more thing. Bass will opt for crawfish over most any other forage, so if you're undecided or not sure, keep that in mind.

I agree with this especially the last few lines. This is why things like a jig or a Ned rig work when other things fail...bass love crawfish. Most of my lockjaw days have been saved and a large number of my biggest bass have all been caught in a jig. Of the last 15 bass over 5lbs I've caught I'd guess at least half were on a jig including one around 8 a few years back.

[CrankFate]

It depends on what’s in the water with them. The worst thing for bass to be eating (if you ask me) is bluegills. I don’t think they like them as food, so they wind up eating them because they have to they become less excited about eating for life.

[Raul]

If you are worried about what to imitate try with no matter where in this planet bass can be found will always be present, baby bass.

[txchaser]

On 5/14/2020 at 12:45 AM, Hammer 4 said:

Bass will eat most anything they can swallow, and in some cases, things they can't swallow.

After pulling a three foot long one inch diameter snake out of a three pound fish, I can attest to this. Just the tail was sticking out of the gullet. I thought it had eaten a horny toad or a lizard, but when I started pulling it just kept coming. And two weeks ago I caught a 12" bass on a 6.8' Fat Impact.