How Do You Know Whan Bass Begin To Spawn?

[Trinity Mealor]

I dont want to miss one second of that time of year...i saw a post about Guntersville spawn starting in a couple of weeks? My home lake is West Point Lake.

[Randall]

Most years the spawn will begin around mid March at West Point. This year I would look for it to start just a little earlier since warmer than usual winter weather wil lead to faster egg development. Still it souldn't hit a peak until around the end of March and early April or later when the water temps get into the mid sixties in the mornings. It could still be delayed as well if we have colder then normal weather for the next month or so.

[Sam]

Water temperature and moon phase.

Check them out and put them together and you will have a good idea.

In Virginia, they start to spawn when the Dogwoods bloom.

[james 14]

Its only just begun where I'm at in Central FL. We're not even two weeks in and some lakes might not have even started yet depending on your exact latitude and the low temps you've seen.

Looking at your 10-day forecast I don't see how you're going to start in two weeks. Lows in the 30s and highs in the mid-60s. Maybe you misread and it said two months instead? That seems to be more plausible.

[bigbassctchr101]

It would make more sense that pre-spawn activity could start in that time.

[NCbassmaster4Life]

I would watch the banks and do a little sight fishing on the areas where bass prestage to spawn, usually I watch the female and male make a bed and the spawn is during that time..you have to be on the look out and know your body of water by map to figure out where the bass would spawn or should I say their pattern.

[craww]

Polarized glasses and time on the water are the only way to know. Blanket statements dont apply, especially with the inconsistent weather we've had these past few years. Ive noted fish on beds over the years and tried to find a correlation. Not as easy as people make it sound. Water temps are the most solid thing to hang your hat on. I've noticed new moon + water temps hitting 58-60 are a good time. Sam's dogwood trick has some weight, and is definetly a good time to at least check.

Remember big fish are the first to go shallow, kick into prespawn and spawn. So they may be on beds before you see a mass group of fish.

[Gangley]

Some of the fish on Lake Conroe here in south east Texas already have bloody tails. Pre-Spawn has definitely started here and some of the fish are already spawning, but most wont spawn for a few more weeks if the temps stay the same (water temp is 64 degrees during the day).

[Trinity Mealor]

Thanks guys. I am looking forward to spotting them at night and knowing where the bed is.

[WRB]

Water temperature at the depth the LMB are at is what you measure, not the surface water.

Your first indication is bass roaming the spawning areas, no beds. The second is smaller males working on beds sites, but not staying there. Shortly after the males start to hold on bed site, the females move up and the 1 st wave starts, generally about 62 F water temps in 3' to 5' deep, near the 1st full moon cycle.

The spawn should continue for about 2 months or when the bluegill start to spawn.

Cold windy weather with abort the spawn until the weather settles back to being stable.

You are better looking at noon in calm weather, than at night.

Tom

[Pete-K]

For me I use the SI on my Humminbird to find the beds. Then also see the fish in the beds. last year i found fish on beds you would never see with any glasses or anything else. As they were bedding up in 7 ft of water and lots of them. You can bet I will be keeping an eye on these spots.

Pete

[Trinity Mealor]

Pete, on your structure scan do the beds look like a crater?

[Long Mike]

In my part of the country the girls that are in spawn usually have a red light turned on.

[Skeet22]

We are already catching plenty empty females over here. Water temps between 64 and 66.

[Colton Neal]

Watch the water temperature, once it hits 60 degrees you know they'll be hittin it. Also the moon phase and stable weather will help out. 3 days before or after a full/new moon are said to be most productive. Also you may be able to see the fish in shallow water making beds and spawning.