Prespawn fishing is the perfect time of the season to focus on large bass. Largemouth are at their seasonal heaviest, swimming in shallow water, and appear to be extra than normal in hyper aggressively attacking fishing lures.
Within the video above, touring bass angler, all-star dad, and buddy of this system, Brian Latimer breaks down some his favourite baits for focusing on largemouth in the course of the prespawn. Whereas this video is filmed close to Brian’s house state of South Carolina, he explains how these ways and ideas work for prespawn bass anglers in all places. Swamp swimming Floridians or the ‘’Yoopers’’ of Michigan’s higher peninsula who push snow six months out of the yr can take appreciation from the following tips, and I guess you’ll be able to too.
What Is The Largemouth Bass Prespawn?
The “prespawn” interval is the precursor to the bass’ annual spawning course of. The unofficial begin of the prespawn is when spring water temperatures linger between 50-60 levels. Throughout this time, bass usually are not fairly spawning, however they realize it’s across the nook. This uptick in water temperatures alerts bass and triggers them to start out their yearly rituals, together with swimming to shallow spawning grounds whereas seemingly gobbling up each minnow, craw, or bug alongside the best way.
The prespawn migration is much like like driving to your aunt or uncles for the vacations. It’s one thing that occurs yearly across the identical time, and also you normally take the identical path to get there. Bass do the identical factor in the course of the spawn. However as a substitute of stopping at a roadside Mcdonald’s, bass pull as much as prespawn feeding places like secondary factors, creek channels, and break strains the place minnows and crawfish substitute the burgers and shakes.
Anglers benefit from this era by rigging prespawn lures and focusing on the world’s bass roam, which is normally feeding places adjoining to the place the bass plan to spawn.
Now that you just’ve watched the video above (didn’t you?), and realized extra concerning the prespawn, right here’s a deeper take a look at the baits displayed.
Lipless Crankbaits
Lipless crankbaits are one of many first baits anglers tie on early within the spring when prowling for prespawn bass. Flat sided hardbaits loaded with inside rattling bb’s from manufacturers like Rapala, Invoice Lewis, and the Googan Squad sink and swim with a good, uniform motion. The good thing about the ”sink” is that lipless crankbaits will be fished successfully at a number of depths. Use slower retrieves with the rod tip pointed right down to get your bait swimming in deep water and quicker retrieves with the rod pointed as much as fish lipless crankbaits successfully in shallow water.
The tight, constant swimming motion from flat-sided crankbaits, like lipless crankbaits, can be regarded as extra inviting to fish in cool water due to its delicate motion in comparison with different, wider wobbling hardbaits.
Prespawn Lipless Crankbait Professional-Tip: Use lipless crankbaits to focus on bass as they make their means again to shallow bays. It’s the bait you must use when bass are inching up nearer to spawning flats however are nonetheless swimming in deeper water.
Topwater (Labored Very Slowly)
Whereas most anglers wait till later within the season, a topwater bait labored over potential spawning grounds is sufficient to drive the close by bass completely bananas. The hot button is to slowly wind your bait simply sufficient to impart motion however gradual sufficient to idiot leary bass into taking a swipe, which is usually mild and ginger in comparison with topwater explosions displayed later in the summertime. Use a small Whopper Plopper, Mini Zara Spook, or different topwater baits that work properly in gradual movement.
Prespawn Topwater Professional Tip: Attempt fishing topwaters tight to the shoreline or shallow water areas containing grouping bass. Slowly twitching, buzzing, or strolling a bait excessive of a shallow water prespawn bass is a lowkey strategy to crush early season fish.
Spinnerbait or Bladed Jigs
The Spinnerbait is a go-to bait for anglers year-round, however its means to bang off rocks or wooden whereas slipping by means of rising spring grass makes it a singular prespawn bait. If you happen to’re fishing a brand new lake within the spring and don’t know what to tie on, begin with a bladed jig or spinnerbait and canopy floor shortly. Fish these baits slowly close to the areas that look juicy (filled with bass) after which burn them a bit quicker previous the boring-looking stuff. This method will make it easier to break down a brand new spring bass fishery quicker than virtually anything.
Prespawn Bladed Bait/Spinnerbait Professional Tip: Goal shoreline cowl like brush, docks, and rocks. Winding spinnerbaits parallel to the financial institution, whereas holding your rod positioned excessive above your head is a superb strategy to preserve the blades buzzing over the bass cruising the shallows within the spring.
