I think this year the way the weather has been water temp. is going to be a secondary aspect as related to the spawn. I was at Lobdell on Monday and I was finding many of the bigger females in the shallows (2 to 4ft water temp 60-61). Some even appeared to be in the process of scrapping up their bellies. Over the course of 5 hours I caught over 30 Bass (the best day I have ever had on Lobdell). I had several close to or over 3-1/2lbs and a bunch of 2lbers. Very few short fish. I lost a couple I swear were in the extra large range. What a day. Even if the wind was incredible!!
You have a Full Moon phase May 8th and I think the water temp doesn't have as much to do with it as most people think. These Northern fish spawn at alot lower temps that we think. I think the water clarity is just as important to the spawn as tempature but that just my opinion. Plus with all the wind I think the warmer water temp is throughout the water colum rather than just at the surface. I'm sure DK probably knows more about this or knows someone who does. ;D
Alot of good points in that last post. There have been alot of fish poping up on beds. I know for a fact that the winning bag and 2nd place on Wawasee last sunday were mostly bed fish. Ive seen a few myself here and there. The drop in the air temps these past couple of days with the wind and rain have prolly moved alot of the bucks off. but they wont go far and the next steady couple of days we have they will move right back up. Im sure theres still some that didnt pull off but a majority i bet have.
The big temperature drop has seemed strange. On Sunday I went to a lake and really did well, bass were in the weeds just off the first little break (5-8'). Went back to the same lake last night and after the 30 degree air temp drop figured they would have pulled out deeper, but they just seemed scattered all over the place. Never did find a pattern, caught them from 16' to 1.5', but the action was really slow.
With the full moon coming in a week and a half I wonder if they will be up? I have not seen any beds yet myself around here, but with the constant 20MPH wind it's a little tough to see.
was on my lake last night and the smallies are holding tight to rocks and any structure. not making beds it is almost like they were staking claim. the water is 57 degrees. i did see a few fresh beds but they were vacant. caught quite a few which i figured were males since they were smaller. did get a couple really nice ones. even caught 2 LM. they must have been lost. The next full moon will be fun times. maybe even the fish on Kent will come shallow so i don't have to fish the dreaded crankbaits like last week.
on hardy last week all our fish came out of shallow timber or stumps on sand flats.... says to me they are looking for a place to make a bed. We got both LM & SM... i wouldn't be surprised to see them bedding up here in the next week or 2, especially if we get a few more days of sunshine.
On Orchard lake all the smallies I caught where on the first break 8-10 fow. Lots of cruisers scattered throughtout the water column. That pattern was pretty consistent as well. Couple fish appeared to be "staking their claim"
I'm wondering if this is really spawning activity, or just an extended prespawn movement. Many shallow forays in early spring are because of bait movement into areas with jumpstarted plankton activity.
I used to spend a great deal of time on smaller northern natural lakes chasing largies. Quite often they were on the deep edge or starting to slide up on warmer days right after ice out. But a great secondary pattern, especially later in the day was to hit the back end of any NW cove. Usually dark bottomed, they were the first water to warm up. I was shocked at how many sizeable bass were up there in fairly cold water; but that's where the bait was.
I could be wrong though, and maybe they are early stagers. I think the May 8th full moon will drive some to beds if they're ready. Maybe a small percentage of the bass on some lakes may spawn on an early full moon if the water temp is nearly suitable? Kinda like a reverse of the deer rut; those does that didn't get impregnated during the hunter's moon rut go into estrus one month later.
Keep the info comming, I'm really trying to follow this in the big picture this year.
Very nice comparison on the rut kinda the same deal. but i will tell you this the biggest ones have already spawn. Here around Nw Indiana and Sw Michigan. im not sure all but a majority. The big ones pull up fast and pull off fast. We got 3 fish over 6 on Sunday 1 was sitting on a bed the others were right there looking for a bed to spawn on. i cant tell ya the 5lbers i seen mating on beds..
just be glad you norfors only see it once a year.. the spawn hits in nc twice late april/early may and again in early september..and i have proof it happens..
zooker
It happens here also . ive seen it too. more with the northern lakes and smallies then i have with the largemouth.