Spawn Time Targets

Spawn Time Targets

As spring  begins and the water starts to warm, male bass  move to the banks and stake out bedding areas.  This initial wave of “Buck Bass” is quickly followed by the larger females.  Fishing in the areas where these bigger, hungry fish concentrate is the key to catching a trophy size bass in the spring.  But, not all areas of the lake are equal in the eyes of a Bass.  Here are some primary and secondary key areas to seek out in order to maximize chances of hooking a big one.

Primary Keys

Location- the north end of lakes warms first, the warming trend, and thus the spawn, proceeds south as the season progresses

Adjacent deep water- allows an easy means of access to the safety and the more stable temperatures not offered in the shallows.

Shelter- Bass prefer areas that offer protection from prevailing winds and wave action.

Sun exposure - Eggs hatch faster in sunny areas than shady areas.  Bass seek out areas that provide sunlight exposure for a significant part of the day.

Topography-Gentle slopes provide better spawning habitat than steep inclines. Reading the slope of the shoreline above the waterline provides an easy way to spot these areas.

Soil Type-In areas where there are different types of soil, Bass prefer sand or loam over clay or silt.

Once an area with several of the primary factors has been located, inspect it closer and watch for the following secondary keys in order to target the most attractive areas for spawning Bass.

Secondary Keys

Draws- runoff from shore piles sandy soil at the end and the slightly deeper area is attractive as a means of access.

Benches- the flat areas adjacent to the main creek channel, which were shaped by seasonal floods prior to inundation, provide prime spawning habitat.

Secondary points- located inside of main creeks provide protection from waves.  Those with a Southeastern exposure will usually be the warmest spot in the creek.

Inside bends of creeks- prior to inundation, sand was deposited on the inside bends, scouring action occurred on the outside bends.

Flats and old fields- provide large areas of even depth that warm quickly.

 Next up, post spawn targets.