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Hello Pure Fishing Team!
I read the "What do you want to know" article and I am here to ask the Pure Fishing Team a question.
This may sound like a dumb question, but I just want to know for sure if during the pre-spawn (when the bass are moving up from deep water and into shallow water to make their beds) are they aggressive? During spawning time, are bass inactive, but if a fish or your bait gets to close to the nest; they'll jump at it even though they are inactive? Also, during the post-spawn, the bass are active and hungry right?
Thank-you so much! Good luck this season!
TG
Abu Garcia Reel and Fenwick Rod Pro Staff Member Carl Donnelly of Orleans, Ontario, offers the following answer:
Hi TG
In regards to the activity level of Largemouth Bass during the pre-spawn, I would certainly consider them as active. In areas where there is an early catch and release season, many anglers target these fish with crank baits, and jerk baits, as well as jigs. Anglers usually enjoy good success employing these methods once they can locate where the largemouth are staging. Largemouth can often be found just outside the spawning areas in deeper water or points waiting to move up.
When cranking in this type of situation, using a low geared reel such as the Revo Toro Winch in 4:6:1 or Winch series in 5:4:1 will slow down the presentation and retrieve. Pair this with a softer action rod, like the Fenwick HMX 70M-F, which will help absorb shock, and provide some give, so as to not rip out the trebles of the crank bait, when fighting the fish back to the boat.
During the spawn, largemouth are not actively feeding, but once the larger females deposit their eggs they will usually move off the nests and relocate back to the pre staging areas to recuperate, and remain dormant for a week or two, the males will be guarding the nests, and will aggressively attack baits when placed on, or close to the nests, but this is purely a territorial response to protect the nest, and not a feeding mechanism.
Once the spawning cycle is over, they move into post spawn mode where the females have recovered and the males have left the nest. Now is when the activity level raises, with fish feeding actively in the shallows and moving towards the summertime locations. Many times, this is when you will find those deep weed line fish, so getting the heavy gear out and throwing the Jig n Pig or Texas rigged creatures can pay big dividends.
While it’s not for everyone, getting out the spinning gear and throwing weighted Senkos to these edges, can also provide for some great action and larger than average fish. Many times when the jig bite seems to die off, having a spinning outfit rigged and ready to go, has saved the day. Try spooling with Berkley’s Nanofil in 10 to 12lb, you can fire a small bait like a senko a mile , and still get the sensitivity of braid. In deeper areas, also try using the Ultra Tungsten nail weights, they are ribbed and easily slide into plastics, and they stick.
Hope the information helps, have an enjoyable and safe summer on the water.
Carl
Berkley Trilene and Abu Garcia Rod & Reel Pro Staff Member Jason Gogan of Saint John, New Brunswick, offers the following response:
Hi TG,
In bass fishing nothing is black and white and there are a lot of shades gray that are always changing. In New Brunswick our bass season starts on May 1st, we have two tournaments before June. The tournament weights are some of the heaviest of the year.
This time of the year I wouldn’t say aggressive, I have to say moody. One of the biggest challenges is trying to adjust to the ever-changing moods and locations of pre-spawn Smallies.
The best example of this would be if you stayed up late, didn’t sleep good, got woke up early and your stumbling to the kitchen for that much needed coffee. You’re harmless if you get to the coffee maker and it’s full of fresh, hot coffee. Imagine you’re on the way to the coffee pot and someone walks in front of you and takes the last cup, even worse they break the machine. The second example is a bass staring at Jerkbait (His Morning Coffee) in spring and you twitch the bait. That bass smashs that bait and sometimes almost rip the rod out of your hands. In early spring you might have to lengthen the pause between twitches on your Jerkbait a little and slow down with your tube. The first three weeks of May have produced four of my biggest fish.
For me it's one of the best times of the year to catch monster bass, you might not catch a lot but when you do it’s usually a big’un.
The last week in May or the first week of June they are usually starting to spawn.
When the males are on the nest they are not actively biting but are very territorial and protective about their nests. I use to fish the beds but it’s been a long time, I was out with Andrew one day and we caught over 200 fish. It’s pretty cool if you’re on a body of water that has good clarity and can see the fish. You can flip your Senko into the nest and watch the bass pick it up and spit it back out. If you didn’t see the bass pick it up and spit it out, you would have missed all the action and never even get a chance to set the hook.
During the Post-Spawn the big females are scattered and usually are suspending in deeper water. I try to relate fishing to real life situation, for all you parents out there should agree with me. The first couple of weeks after having a baby the household has been sleep deprived and the meals are usually take out. We even look different; I was getting strangers come up to me and say congrats. Congrats? You looked so bad I figured you had a new born at the house. I can’t even imagine having 3000 little ones running around!
During this time your will catch the occasional female cruising around. She's probably just stepping out to get a break and a pick up take-out. By catching one of these beauties it can be very welcoming to a frustrated angler.
The good thing about fishing is the fish are always in the lake or river. It’s our job is to figure out the puzzle of the day or season.
Pay attention to subtle hints from Mother Nature and try to listen to what the bass are trying to tell you. A good tip is to carry a small note book with you to help add little pieces to the big FISHING picture.
Jason
The Pure Fishing Team is made up of experienced and knowledgeable anglers from across the country that fish for just about anything that swims. Is there something fishing related that you're unsure of or would like to have someone else’s perspective? If so, please forward your question(s) to myself and someone from the Pure Fishing Team will answer the question(s) here on NPS and no names will be used, you'll remain anonymous. Keep the questions coming! There's no such thing as a ridiculous question if you don't know the answer! Concernant notre projet Q et R, S.V.P. noter que vous pouvez également soumettre des questions et recevoir des réponses en français.
See You On The Water,
The Pure Fishing Team
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