More Pre Spawn Bass Fishing Tips

By Andy Whitcomb

Feb 27, 2017

Pre Spawn is an early bass behavior. By monitoring this activity, anglers can have a better idea where to find bass and what they will hit.

It is important to know when to bass fish because depending on your part of the country, bass may be awakening from a winter “sulk” and starting to transition into bass spawning season. Traditionally, this  pre spawn period (roughly March) is when the biggest bass are caught.

Here are some pre spawn bass fishing tips to keep in mind:

1. Because the water is still cold, bass metabolism is slow.  Bass won’t chase lures far; it is still more of a reaction bite. Casts need to be accurate to structures that may warm faster such as dark stumps or rocks. And the bite may happen on a drop or twitch right across the nose of these pre spawn bass.

2. Although sluggish, these pre spawn bass are hungry and big lures such as a jig and soft plastic combo may be the ticket. Similar to the fall bite, bass may focus on larger prey items and not bother to expend unnecessary energy with little snacks. 

3. Another pre spawn bass fishing tip is to not over think it. When you take the boat out for the first time this year, recall the spawning areas and focus on deeper water near there. Also try locations like the mouths of coves where these bass may be passing through.

By monitoring bass spawning season, anglers can have a good idea of the location and mood of their target species. This differs with temperature and location. By March 24th, for the Bassmaster Classic on Lake Conroe near Houston, Texas, it is predicted that the spawn may be ending already. Wherever you are, before venturing out, make sure boat registration and fishing licenses are up to date.
Andy Whitcomb
Andy Whitcomb
Andy is an outdoor writer (http://www.justkeepreeling.com/) and stressed-out Dad has contributed over 380 blogs to takemefishing.org since 2011. Born in Florida, but raised on banks of Oklahoma farm ponds, he now chases pike, smallmouth bass, and steelhead in Pennsylvania. After earning a B.S. in Zoology from OSU, he worked in fish hatcheries and as a fisheries research technician at OSU, Iowa State, and Michigan State.