Pre spawn fishing in VA

[justin apfel]

I've been going everyday lately and haven't caught any size. Somehow I have pulled a few out with a spook, but nothing over two pounds. Any tips for big pre spawn bass?

[5bass]

I've been going everyday lately and haven't caught any size. Somehow I have pulled a few out with a spook, but nothing over two pounds. Any tips for big pre spawn bass?

I'd put down the spook for starters. If the water is in the low 50's (and relatively clear) throw a jerkbait, 54 and up throw a couple different depth cranks until you find what you want. If the water is high 50's to 60 just pitch a jig to the banks.

[typed by ben]

ive been slaying em on the 6" zoom junebug lizards and a 1/8 worm weight.  ill pitch them into a bed of wax myrtle roots and then down the shore.

[Chaz Hickcox]

I would get away from the spooks too.  They are my go to in the summertime, but right now I would stick to either spinnerbaits or squarebilled crankbaits.  Even deeper cranks will work too.  I also ALWAYS have a creature or a jig tied on my flipping rod.  If the cypress roots look too good and they don't hit the movers, then you have to try it with a jig or soft plastic.  If it looks like they should be there, they probably are.

[RockvilleMDAngler]

Burn a lipless crankbait over emerging grass and rip it free if it gets caught.

[Bigbarge50]

Any speed and depth suggestions?

I have been attacking still in the 15+ depth range and still in a slow winterish pattern.  Spinners and lipless cranks I have been yo yo-ing.  Think I am too slow and too deep? 

[Chaz Hickcox]

Any speed and depth suggestions?

I have been attacking still in the 15+ depth range and still in a slow winterish pattern. Spinners and lipless cranks I have been yo yo-ing. Think I am too slow and too deep?

Yes you are. They have been up in 8ft or less since late last month. Try 5 or less feet and as far as speed, that will depend on the day and whether or not there has been a warm spell, cold front, water temp, etc...  Most of my fish this year have been on squarebilled cranks in less than 3 feet of water.  Hell the first bass I caught this year was on a jig in less that two, and that was back in the first week of Feb.  They're there, you just have to show em what they want.  Try transition points and shallow water cover with immediate access to deep water.  Last week they were probably up in the backs of creeks, but with this cold front they probably pulled out to the first shelves.  That's where I'm going to start.  Like KVD said, start where you the fish should want to be, then move in from there.  Right now, if the water temp is still in the mid to low 50's I would start at the first shelves and move in from there.  If it's higher, then the cold front means nothing and go to the back.  Just my two cents.

[5bass]

They have been up in 8ft or less since late last month.

This isn't true where I'm at in Va. The better bite has been deep. Water temps are very important right now and will tell you a lot about what's going on.

[Chaz Hickcox]

Yeah, Virginia Beach on south is a different animal to the rest of the state so I wouldn't suppose much of that would apply to the colder regions.  Not to mention, around here you are in the deepest holes around if you're over 10 feet, unless you're on the intracoastal.

[5bass]

Yeah, Virginia Beach on south is a different animal to the rest of the state so I wouldn't suppose much of that would apply to the colder regions. Not to mention, around here you are in the deepest holes around if you're over 10 feet, unless you're on the intracoastal.

Yeah, thats kinda what I was gettin at. My home lake has lots of coves, pockets and creeks, many of which are 40 - 50 ft down the middle. Fish depth is relative to their available surroundings and at this time of year, water temps dictate.