Post Spawn Bass
May fishing is underway and I am getting a lot of folks asking me where have
the fish moved, I was catching them in less than three feet of water and when I returned the next day
nothing.
Well, if you are just now getting out on the water, you have may missed the spawn
and are now in the post spawn bass period depending on what region of the country you fish.
As the water reaches 68 to 75 degrees and headed for 80, the
bass are finished spawning in the south and have started
to move back to the deep water to recover.
Now, I am talking the big females are moving out the males will guard the small
fry until they are large enough to look after themselves.
You still can catch some males in shallow water as they guard the fry and I
recommend throwing a Buzz
Bait early in the morning and as the sun comes up and heats the water switch to a Spinner Bait.
Watch the bank close; this is when the shad move up to spawn along with the bream
and believe me the bass know this and will let you know in a heart beat they are watching the shad. They are like a
pack of Wolves or Hyenas, they gang up and gorge onto the most abundant and easy to catch forage.
Water Temperature Does Matter
This will be little different depending on where you live. Like up north, you
should be in the heat of the spawn now with water temps in the mid 60's.
Down South, we are already in almost 75 to 80 degree water
and....Boy, have we got water.
This is a great time to mention for the anglers in the south to be extra careful
running to your honey hole. I know you are thinking I know this like the back of my hand, but with all the water
that we have had there are things just under water that use to stand out and help guide you into your spot. No
sense in tearing up your boat, and really watch out for floating objects that are being carried down the lake or
river.
Back to the bass, remember not all bass spawn at the same time.
There are some that will spawn in waves so I am not saying leave the shallow water
but that is a good spot to start.
Next move about half way out of the cove in search for the bass and end up at the
two points.
Both of these points should have a ledge leading out to deep water and this will
be a great spot to hunt for maybe your biggest bass of the season.
This is where I would throw a Crank Bait or even a Carolina Rig Worm or
Lizard.
The fish will let you know what they want real
quick and with all the water that we have gotten down south there
are trees and bushes that have never seen water and I know that the fish will be checking them out
also.
Go to your honey hole and if no luck, move out to about 8 feet of water and see
what happens.
Keep The Hooks Wet!
Steve McGoldrick
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