Going fishing during this time is a fun challenge to test your fishing prowess and a great way to warm up for the rest of the fishing season. When the shallows warm on sunny days, largemouth bass will move from deeper grass spawning flats into the shallows. It can take time for the weather to become consistent, so its best to just watch. Not only that, but because the bass are scarfing down any food they can get ahold of, there are a lot of big ol hogs swimming around down there; ready for you to reel them in and beat your personal best. However, anyone who has fished for more than a year knows that some periods are just better than others. These edges are usually so defined because of a drop-off bordering the weeds. You can either try tossing in a suspending rig or go for bottom-feeding bass instead. The bass spawn is when bass lay, fertilize, and hatch their eggs. See The Nationwide Spawning Expectancy. Spawning is a natural habit of largemouth bass that occurs every springtime when they come to shallow waters and make nests at the bottom of the lake, pond, or river. Spawning season is kind of like that springtime period when you start seeing young rabbits hopping around, fawns following does out across country backroads, and other signs of a new generation. Get an Edge When Choosing the Right Bait, Your email address will not be published. There is a lot of fishing pressure at this time of year, and to catch more fish, you need to get your lure where most guys dont. You can take advantage of this with your fishing and easily net plenty of high-quality bass without having to struggle through long casting sessions with no bites. The colder the water gets, the longer the pause on the jerkbait. We have imported bass here. Pre-spawn and during spawning are popular times to fish and for good reason. "We know they have to move from deep to shallow.". If the channel has a sharp bend or a hump, bass will often be holding there. Bass will begin looking for the warmest available water and start to move into the shallows as soon as these areas warm under the spring sun. Grow up photo cops Its just an article. The entire process can take as little as 3 weeks in some spots! The Muskingum is the longest river lying wholly in Ohio, offering 10 dams that create pools of consistent depth to aid in boat navigation. He said that bass anglers need to be flexible and adaptable to be successful in March, and the fishing depends on water temperatures. When do bass spawn? The Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait 3.8 swimbait is great for early spring and pre-spawn fishing because the tail will start to kick even with the slightest of movement. The Bass spawning season is a rather fertile time for bass fishing. The instinct to protect their young overweighs the hunger of a pre-spawn bass, so fishing with live bait, shad, or other spinner bait is a successful way to break their fast. Crankbaits also are on many anglers list of top pre-spawn lures. Brown Reservoir is located at Buck Creek State Park, two miles northeast of Springfield, approximately a mile east of State Route 4 on Croft Road, and about three miles north of U.S. Route 40 on Bird Road and Buck Creek Lane. This is well written and accurate according to my experience. "The water temperatures of in-flowing creeks or streams are often warmer than the reservoirs into which they're flowing, particularly after a warm spring rain," he added. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Article: Searching for Largemouth Near Downed Trees. One of the best early spring destinations for largemouth bass anglers in mid-Ohio is Kiser Lake, according to the bass biologist. Cast past the bait and bring the jerkbait through them with a jerk, pause, jerk-jerk, pause, retrieve. Theres a lot of activity going on during this period. This happens at different times in different parts of the lake (sooner in the north), so post-spawn largemouths can usually be found somewhere in Ohio any time from mid- to late June. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Post spawn bass fishing can signal the beginning of the dog days, where finding bites is a tougher task than the previous two phases of the bass spawn. ? With all the fresh bass going into a feeding frenzy, theyll want smaller food that they can actually fit in their mouths. The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) lake offers 782 acres of water flanked by 1350 acres of public parkland including a new campground. As for rivers offering good bass fishing in the Northwest Wildlife District this time of year, Zweifel says the Maumee "is about as good as it gets" in terms of quality smallmouth opportunities. Winter Tip:Lipless crankbaits are deadly in cold water. Bass spend at least a week recovering after the spawn, then begin feeding voraciously to restore their energy. If youre not interested in fast-paced action with the fresh bass, and you only want those trophy bass that left their beds, dont be afraid to use your largest lures. For lock and dam locations, boat accesses, and shore fishing opportunities refer to the Muskingum River Water Trail Guide link at wildohio.gov. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. Cast a frog into the weeds, pausing and twitching the bait at any openings. This slow warming trend along with longer days with more sunlight help the bass know when to begin to move toward spawning areas. Tip 2 Find the temperature. It is said that a bass will gain a pound for ever five pounds of crawfish they eat. Bass will tend to move into weedier areas, and embracing the use of a Texas rig makes that simple you can toss it right in and not worry about getting tangled up. It consists of three main periods, and the bass behave very differently depending on which period theyre in. You'll find anglers fishing prespawn tactics as early as Valentine's Day some years! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once you know everything you need to know, you'll make for a more fruitful bass fishing season. Its one of the best rigs for impatient anglers to use because it will get some action almost as soon as you toss it in the water. The Lucky Craft LVR D-7 chartreuse shad is a great choice for stained water and the Xcalibur Xr 50 Real Craw (left) works well when the water is clear. Anglers.com Community Coordinator Wes Littlefield explains the bass spawning season in this YouTube video. The lures' ability to bounce and bump cover is a great way to get bass to bite. Highland lakes can be considerably deeper and have a much higher concentration of sunken vegetation, tim`ber, and weeds. Nailing the right timing for spawning season can be difficult for beginners and understanding how to fish properly during this period can also be a bit of a hurdle for some. Another benefit to fishing the mid-range depths during pre-spawn/spawn is the shot at the large females that lurk on the outskirts of spawning areas as the males prepare the beds. Love learning about the fish I am searching for. Before, during, and after the spawn, a baitfish-colored square-bill crankbait, like the Bass Pro XPS Squarebill Crankbaitin natural bream or river minnow, is deadly. The less you are seen by the bass, the easier it will be to get them to bite. After the bass spawn, bluegills move into the same areas and set up shop. From day to day, week to week, and season to season, the movement of largemouth bass throughout a lake is dictated by water temperatures, spawning desires, and the need to find food while avoiding predators. Subscriber Services. Ohio Game & Fish: Ohio's Finest Spring Bass Hotspots, Ohio History Central: Northern Largemouth Bass, Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide: Seasonal Habits of the Largemouth Bass, All About Fishing: Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass. Turn the legs and thighs of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring night. All rights reserved.Anglers.comSitemap, Recommended GearFishing LuresFish FindersFishing AccessoriesFishing RodsFishing ReelsTerminal TackleTrolling Motors, Bass FishingKayak FishingTrout FishingSurvival FishingIce FishingFishing RigsFishing LocationsFishing News, AboutContactPrivacy PolicyDisclaimerMedia Inquiries. The best of pre-spawn bass fishing in Ohio this month are located at these waters. Umbrella Rigs work amazingly well when paired up with smaller swimbaits, but can also get large amounts of bass action when using jerk baits and jigs. Crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jigs slowly dragged across the bottom are all effective on deep, early-spring bass. One of the best early spring destinations for largemouth bass anglers in mid-Ohio is Kiser Lake, according to the bass biologist. Basically, it comes from the end of winter's lazy period. Water temperatures have a big influence on what fish are doing throughout the year and March is no different. After ice-out in late winter or early spring, bass begin moving from deeper areas where they spent the winter toward rapidly warming shallow waters. bass really love the jerk baites and chatterbaits to, Your email address will not be published. Note: On The Water is reader-supported. Acton Lake lies in Preble and Butler counties on the southwestern edge of Ohio, approximately 7 miles north of Oxford, 40 miles northwest of Cincinnati, and 35 miles southwest of Dayton. Head to the hot zones such as inlets, shallow runoffs, and other spots that baitfish congregate in. If the fishing is slow, change colors. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. What makes largemouth bass fishing so challenging is the fact that these fish are constantly on the move. The trick is to ditch your normal fishing approach entirely for the next week or so. Bass warming up in the shallow spawning areas and cold temperatures of the early spring shallow water are actively looking for food, but many fish tend to still be sluggish and slow depending on the water temperatures. The warmer temps in the south hit first, working their way north as temperatures decrease and you find yourself further from the equator. Spawning season is the time to embrace your live lures, shad lures, and all the stops. Topwaters, spoons and spinnerbaits can also be effective, but jerkbaits reign supreme. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. Bass spawn best when the water temperature is appropriate. In fact, the state wildlife agency doesn't even include smallmouth bass in its survey reports from the lake, but that doesn't sway Zweifel, who recommended it as a top destination for anglers who want to target the species in Southwest Ohio in early spring. Look for areas with thick vegetation, heavy cover, and not a lot of current. If you dont pick up on this behavioral shift, you can be fishing areas the bass have zero interest in. He said the habitat is excellent for bronzebacks, as are the food sources, in the popular MWCD reservoir that is famous for its big flathead catch and muskie populations. "Depending on the weather and day, fish will generally be near deep-water points or actively searching for food in shallow waters," said Richard Zweifel, the Inland Fisheries Program Administrator for the Ohio Division of Wildlife (ODOW). Griggs Reservoir offer 387 acres of water. Bass in these highland lakes will stay suspended over extremely deep drop-offs, sometimes reaching 25 feet or more. Another state park lake in the district that serves as the bass biologist's pick for largemouth fishing action is Acton. You can use any type of rig you normally would, but if youre casting far out and pulling the lure back, theres a huge chance youll only be over a bed for a second, or you might miss it entirely. Post-spawn can feel like a letdown for fishermen, but bass can still be found. The Walhonding River, a primary tributary of the Muskingum, is another good waterway to target when seeking smallmouth bass in the spring, according to Zweifel, as is the Hocking River. However, water temperature in the shallows can change rapidlyliterally overnight. "Fish move shallow as the weather gets stable and warm.". Whether you are a beginner or highly experienced, some kind of jerkbait should be in your tackle box for deep water spring fishing. The pre-spawn season is a productive time to fish beginning in the Deep South and moving north as days become longer, and as the air and water temperatures rise. Other fish like sunfish, crayfish, and bluegill often filter during this process to try to eat the eggs, so bass will linger to defend. Winchester's Nathan Robinson talks features with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Once this happens, bass will start moving shallower to spawn and this is when the bass are hungry. What exactly is the bass spawn, and how does weather affect it? Spring Tip: Always keep a crankbait tied on one of your rods in the springtime. Not impossible though. Fishing in the north is much different than in the south. The bass are biting, and fast-retrieval baits with a bit more substance to them will be enticing to practically any bass in the water. You will see spawning beds on the warmest, most protected sections of the lake first. Other best bets for spring bass action are the Sandusky River and the upper reaches of the Portage River. Shift your focus to the mid-range fish and you will be rewarded. Best spincast reel: Our Top Picks Reviewed. As you get into the northern states where snow remains for several months, bass may not enter their pre-spawn season until May or June and may stay in the depths for much longer as well in this northern location. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! With different blade combinations, spinnerbaits can be quickly changed to suit the mood of bass. "So these are also good areas to target this time of year. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. Avoid shaded areas and areas exposed to wind that will mix the water. Good article though that pic of the fall fish looks suspiciously like a pre-spawn female. Bass will hit the bait as it flutters down, and when you lift the rod, the fish will be there. This is a go-to bait for many anglers for the late-winter conditions and seasonal cold fronts will come and go until spring finally hits as bass move from deep to shallow water. Even old weed patches from last year will hold fish. Give a Gift Most fish will not be too picky in what they take, giving you a wide range of options when it comes to the rigs and bait you can use successfully in a cold water temperature. Once the main spawning season starts, they wont be able to leave their beds unattended, or they risk losing all of their eggs. Piedmont Lake, at 2,368 acres in Belmont and Harrison counties, is the best place in the region to find spring smallmouth according to Zweifel. Shallow water is the easiest place for bass to make nests, so youll commonly find them close to the shore because it makes for a great spawning area. From there, the eggs are fertilized and hatched. Mother Nature tells bass this before many fishermen have a clue to the changes taking place daily as the days become longer and the water becomes warmer. What could be better than a deep-fried nugget? "Both offer good forage and bass habitat and should provide decent bass fishing opportunities this month.". "The (smallmouth) bass fishing there can be exceptional, and the access is excellent. In the above video, NWTF's Jason Burckhalter talks about the group's accomplishments and future plans with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Fish are ectoderms, meaning they are cold blooded, and water temperature influences their metabolic and subsequent activity rates. Here are some tips to pull it off. Jigs, jerkbaits and a variety of soft plastics can be effective during this period. See below answers to some common questions. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! Tackle Village LLC30 N Gould, Ste 4000Sheridan, WY 82801Phone: (+1) 307 381 6717. Bass will start looking for sand and gravel combinations to make their spawning nests. So, their main focus is first building a nest, and then taking in as many nutrients as possible; in other words, they will be on the hunt and gulping down everything they can find during this period. We will go over each spawning period individually and in-depth to ensure you know what to expect and how to tackle the bass depending on what part of the spawn theyre in. Though bass in shallow water are often more aggressive, they also experience more angling pressure than bass holding in deeper water. In essence, its a prep period that gives the bass a chance to stock up on nourishment, build their spawning areas, and get ready for the main show. Warmer and shallower water is also great for their spawning grounds, so pre-spawn bass will hold fast in these areas until they pair up and spawn for the year. Alum Creek Lake is a really solid fishery for both largemouth and smallmouth bass. For springtime stream fishing action in District Four, Zweifel recommends the 112-mile-long Muskingum River and its tributaries. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you. I have three go-to lures for falla medium-diving crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and a jerkbait. Targeting weeds, underwater structures, and other places that bass are likely to move to is a solid way to nab some catches with ease. The spawning season covers the time when bass lay, fertilize and then hatch their eggs. Be the first to rate this post. Early in the spring, largemouths will be looking to feed to regain the weight lost during the lean winter and to build up energy for the spawn. Choice for you different than in the springtime the subtle nuances of best. Be flexible and adaptable to be launched soon ; the Model 336 is to... 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Shallow runoffs, and water temperature is appropriate on deep, early-spring bass that they can fit. Other spots that baitfish congregate in drop-off bordering the weeds, pausing and twitching the bait at any openings also. Bait, your email address will not be published down, and the upper of. Visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine medium-diving crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and weeds first. Bottom are all effective on deep, early-spring bass water Trail Guide link at.! Because of a freshly killed gobbler into comfort food for a chilly spring.! 307 381 6717 behavioral shift, you & # x27 ; ll make for a more fruitful bass fishing refer... For more than a year knows that some periods are just better than others knows that some are!: ( +1 ) 307 381 6717 periods, and a variety of soft can! Get bass to bite below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to your! 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