So, the bitterness of winter is on it’s way out, finally. And now the chill seems to be a bit less than what it was, especially with spring swiftly coming into bloom. This though, is good news for fishermen, as warming trends in weather means warmer water conditions and hence much more active, voracious fish. This is certainly true in the case of bass, a particularly popular game fish across the United States, as they will soon be coming out of their idled and slowed states looking to feed and catch up on missed winter meals. This period right after winter’s departure is a time period where bass transition into prespawning status.

Prespawning Status Is Warm and Ready To Go

This period of transitioning between cold water temperatures characteristic to winter months and warmer water temperatures of spring months can provide all anglers with some sure fire bass fishing action. During the length of a cold winter bass are put into a frozen state, not actually on ice though. All their bodily functions are slowed considerably, especially their anatomical willingness to digest and feed. Bass are more or less put in a lazy and awaiting state during winter. Yet, once winter loses grip on nature and spring rushes in, the bass seem to rush in tandem with the warming trend, where at the end cold temperatures, spawning will soon begin.

Once spring arrives and temperatures rise bass come out of deeper and oxygen-rich waters to shallower areas and begin embracing their rising metabolic rates. Becoming more active, bass will seek shallower areas solely for food and feeding purposes.

Time Of The Prespawn

Although an annual occurrence, there is no definitive time frame or exact water temperature in which prespawning activities initiate. Instead, prespawning begins over a wide range of times and temperatures, based on variances in seasonal schedules from year to year. In terms of generalizations though, bass do typically tend to display prespawning characteristics between a range of temperatures where smallmouth bass exhibit prespawn activity in waters with temperatures between 50 and 59 degrees and largemouth bass in waters with temperatures 55 to 63 degrees.

Behaviorally, bass will tend to let loose in their prespawning periods as they will act like voracious feeders. This in mind, it seems they exhibit behaviors quite beneficial for any angler looking to reel in a great deal of bass. These fish will put caution behind them and actually go against their instinctual conservatism in pursuit of a reproductive partner, certain spawning site and -to anglers’ best interests- food.

Taking Advantage Of The Prespawn

Since these bass are coming up from the depths, it’s time to grab the rod and reel to take advantage. Before you cast out though, it’s important to prepare. Know the area you’ll be fishing and seek topographical maps to find optimal shallow areas, with some cover in the water such as fallen trees, stumps, rock piles and other various debris. Also, know what type of prey swims in the destined body of water you’re going to fish. Doing this will help you to better select proper baits and/or lures to catch these fish in their prespawning frenzy.

By: E.S. Cromwell