Well, hello there, y’all! Let’s talk about somethin’ I know a thing or two about – fishin’, especially them bass. Folks keep askin’ about when them bass get all riled up before they start makin’ their babies, what they call “prespawn.” Now, I ain’t no fancy scientist, but I’ve been watchin’ these fish for a good long while, and I can tell ya, it all boils down to the water bein’ just right.
Water temperature, that’s the key, ya see. It ain’t just about how warm the top feels when you stick your hand in. It’s about what’s goin’ on down deep where them bass are hangin’ out. They start gettin’ antsy when the water hits around 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s when they start thinkin’ about gettin’ busy and needin’ to eat a whole bunch to get ready.
Now, when it gets a little warmer, say 52 degrees or so, them bass really start movin’ around. They’re hungry, real hungry, ’cause they know they gotta get strong for makin’ them nests and sittin’ on ’em for days. They’re lookin’ for a good meal, and that’s when we can catch ’em!
Them bass, they like it best when the water’s between 55 and 85 degrees. That’s when they’re happy and their bellies can work real good, digestin’ their food best around 75 to 85 degrees. Think of it like a warm bath – comfortable and cozy. But before they get to that comfy stage, that prespawn time when the water’s cooler, that’s when they’re real active and lookin’ to chow down.
- When the water’s in that 45 to 50-degree range, that’s when the prespawn starts.
- Get ready for action when it hits 52 degrees, ’cause they’re gonna be bitin’.
- They’re most comfortable and digest their food best between 75 and 85 degrees, but they are active and feeding aggressively in that prespawn window before it gets that warm.
Now, where do you find these hungry bass? Well, they ain’t just swimmin’ around in the open. They like havin’ some cover, somethin’ to hide around. Think about weeds, rocks, logs, them kinda things. Some of them black sea bass, they like it even deeper, 25 to 100 feet down, with water a bit cooler, say 50 to 65 degrees. They like places where the water moves around and brings ’em little fish and crabs to eat.
So, what do you use to catch these prespawn bass? Well, there’s all sorts of fancy lures out there, but some of the old standbys work just fine. You got your spinnerbaits, them shiny things that spin and flash. Then there’s squarebills, lures that wobble and bump into things, makin’ them bass mad enough to bite. Vibrating jigs, those shake and make noise, callin’ them bass in. And lipless cranks, those are good too, especially when you want somethin’ that moves a lot. If it’s gettin’ warmer, you might even try a buzzbait, somethin’ that makes a racket on top of the water. That can really get ’em goin’.
So there ya have it, plain and simple. Watch that water temperature, find where them bass are hidin’, and use the right bait. You do that, and you’re bound to catch some fish, prespawn or not.
Remember, fishin’ ain’t just about catchin’ fish. It’s about bein’ out there, enjoyin’ the peace and quiet, and maybe learnin’ a thing or two about nature. And if you happen to catch a big ol’ bass along the way, well, that’s just a bonus. Good luck and happy fishin’!
Tags: bass fishing, prespawn bass, water temperature, bass behavior, fishing lures, black seabass, optimal temperature, fishing tips
