Pre-Spawners

[bassmaster3000]

hey, me again.

Anyone have any good tips to share on pre span bass? There are a few good lakes i wanna check out here. What month(s), are good for pre spawn. Most good bass lakes around here like liberty lake, Downs lake, Newman lake, etc. open march 1st. any tips would be very appreciated. THANKS!!!  ;D

[FordNFishinLover]

These will tell you nearly everything you need to know!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1200451467/0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1196339007

[WRB]

As you read the different threads you will notice we all don't always agree on topics and thats is OK. Out west, in SoCal, the pre spawn is starting as I write this. This year has been rather warm here and cold most everywhere else. The water at 20 feet or so is 55 degrees and nearly 60 in the upper 3 foot layer, which means, weather permitting, the bass will move up faster than normal.

WRB

[fishfordollars]

you just have to get on them and check them out. Two lakes sitting on the same parallel only a few miles apart can be in completely different stages depending on the watershed they get their water from, the makeup of the lake(Shallow, river fed, depth, contours, etc.). The north end of the lakes and the northwest sides will usually warm first due to runoff and the amount of sunlight they receive.

I would begin by fishing flats off the creek channels, creek or river mouths, or running to the backs of large, creek fed pockets and working my way out while looking for bait fish. Pay particular attention to deeper grass beds, first drops coming out of pockets, main lake points, and the edges of the feeder creeks.

If it is sunny the bite should improve during the day as the water warms. Do not be afraid to run up and check out the 1-3 ft. depths. Warm days will make the fish cruise the shallows.

I would be throwing spinner baits, lizards, senkos, traps, and crank baits.

[senko_77]

I just submitted an article to Glenn that hopefully will get published here on the site.  If it does, I'll post you the link.  It's goes over my sure-fire way to catch pre-spawners.

[IdahoLunkerHunter]

I start fishing our area when the top water is around 40-45. I will be targeting structure around 15-25 feet. Once top water hits 50-55 I start heading up into flats

[Glenn]

In eastern Wa, the pre-spawn gets into swing in April.  Target outside weed edges first, working your way to shallower water as the water temps warm to the mid- to upper 50's.  The spawn is usually around the full moon in late May.

Read the spring articles on this site for specific tactics and techniques.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/seasonal-fishing-articles.html#spring