Is it the light or the temp

[Jig Man]

The smallmouth should be spawned out by this time here in MO.  Normally we would find water in the lower 60s but it is in the high 40s to low 50s and depending on the lake from 16-40' above normal pool.

The shallow water is so far back in the trees and brush that there is no real way to fish it.  There are trees and brush everywhere out to about 25'.

My question is:  Will the smallmouth have gone into the brush and spawned because of the daylight hours or will they be holding off because of the colder water?

[Sam]

Usually, it is based on the water temperature.

Between 60 and 70, with a lot of action at 65 degrees.

Birds usually equate light to mate.

[roadwarrior]

Well, on the Tennessee River the smallmouth spawn from late

January until mid March or more generally, "around February!"

The water temperature is either side of 50 degress, 46-48 in

the winter this year. So, I'm not convinced that "water temperature"

is the deciding factor anywhere, but it isn't on this river, for sure!

8-)

[Tin]

They usually spawn up here in the low-mid 50's. Should be anytime now :-/ I would say rocky drops infront of 4-8 foot flats.

[brushcutter]

In-fisherman did a study about five years ago with the help of the MN. DNR and found out that light plays a major role in seasonal movement and activity. Amount of light and intensity are more than daily factors for smallmouth.  This is especially true in river bass. Temp does factor in but only in part. You might want to log your trips and include all the above conditions.

[justfishin]

After all these years, thats a real good question. I used to be convinced it was all about temps but, I have been proven wrong on that. I still think the longer length of days has some to do with it. I feel there is a window in each area of the country you can practically set your date book to. Here in Western Maryland you can bet on the last two weeks of April to the first two weeks of May. There were days when I looked at the temp gauge and thought, man, too early for the spawn, and while on my way to a hole I would see beds. Personally, I don't fish beds but, I will hit prespawn points and channel drops. Thats the fun of smallie fishing. They can be the most perplexing fish that swim. Its just like you can fish a river one day and boat 60-80 fish, go back the next day and have four. Same scenario, same holes, etc. I never try to second guess them !!!!

[Jig Man]

So we have 2 for the calendar and 2 for the thermometer??? :-?