Structural Observation During Prespawn

[CJ]

The prespawn is just around the corner.This is my favorite time of year.The fish are fat and usually in a good feeding mood.

I had struggled in the past during the prespawn phase.I always seemed to be a step behind or a step ahead.The fish have a job to do and I believe there are clues that may give away their location during this stage.

Early March the weather usually doesn't want to cooperate in the mid-west.One day it's snowing the next it is 70 degrees.Cold fronts may pound in one after another,causing an angler's mind to wonder on the effects.As studies have shown fish tend to start moving out of their deep winter dwellings into the shallows for the spawn.This does not happen overnight and I feel the fish will go though staging periods until the time gets right.One of the most important observations I have found is the right type of bottom+water depth=fish.

While fishing with a friend of mine during the pre spawn on Lake Barkley,the day had started out as usuall for me,struggles to find the bigguns".There were a variety of lures working at this time but I stuck with my "go-to"lure a small jig.A light findly turned on in my head,yes,the TV shows,reading artcles and chatting on forums was about to pay off.

I had laid my rod down sat down on the front deck,opened a Mt.Dew and tried to relax,clear my head and think about it.I had been fishing offshore structure with only smaller fish for results.I had heard of fish holding on chunk rocks during that time but never really tried them for I hated throwing at the banks.I had found a bay that had a channel running down one side with chunk rock dropping off into it.The fish were there!Yep,the one's I was looking for.Not only that they were there when it was cold and were there when it wasn't until one day it got warm enough,the fish were gone.I had found several spots during that time that were holding fish.The right depth of water with chunk rock had them there.It was a solid pattern.

After the fish had moved on I was lost again for a day anyway.On the next trip,after some unhealthy thought,I had figured them out again.The fish had come off the chunk rock and went to the clay and mud.It was observation that the fish were looking for a softer bottom to spawn.I may be wrong but that is what I believe.I felt like I had broke a prespawn curse with a simple observation of the type of bottom I was fishing.

Just some thought on the prespawn.Don't be scared to share your "critique".Just remember in no way do I proclaim or want to be a writer.I just like to talk BASSFISHIN'!

Like to here some input on what puts ya'll on fish!

[Catt]

Bottom composition has a lot to do with where bass spawn, here on Toledo Bend its sandy bottoms, up in the mid-wed where you're from its chunk rock/gravel.

I have also learned is that once the bass have moved up shallow, a cold front has moved them back deep, and so on. Well after each successive round of warming trends/cold fronts the bass don't move quite as far as they do during the first couple of round. The first couple of times they may move to the outside weed line and the next couple of times they may only move to the inside weed line. As weather conditions gradually improve it takes a more drastic change to drive them to real deep water.

Pre-spawn fishing is all about timing, if your off by a day you get skunked, but if your timing is right you load the boat.

[CJ]

I agree,Catt.Prespawn is alot about timing.

Fish here too prefer a soft bottom to spawn.The fish that came from chunk rock and some rip-rap were prespawn fish.Later when I found a change in bottom composition(thanks,I was looking for that word earlier),I was catching fish that were coming and going.

[Catt]

I love pre-spawn cause you gotta stay cocked, locked, & ready to rock  

[ARfishermen08]

The largest bass i've caught have all been during spawn/pre-spawn periods.  If you can get a good handle on the spawn patterns of the fish, you will have LOADS of fun. It is well worth the time of trial and error, or maybe if you can fishing a certain lake each day of different weather, although i know some have jobs, I'm fortunate because i'm still in highschool!

[dink]

Hey CJ, that area on Barkley sounded REAL familiar.  Remember?

[bass109]

pre-spawn is the best time of the year, a great chance to catch a good size bass or tropy with little work.