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. Clear Fork Reservoir is Zweifel's top pick for catching early spring largemouth in District Two. Luckily, that means your cast-to-bite ratio should be fairly solid. | But when do bass spawn? This is a great time to catch big bass. Bass spawn in shallow water on a hard bottom, preferably next to some sort of cover like a stump, dock piling, tree or bush, which helps protect them from wind and predators. Which is all that Ohio's eager early spring anglers ask. Once the main spawning season starts, they wont be able to leave their beds unattended, or they risk losing all of their eggs. Once the minnows in the nest are self sufficient, everyone goes their own way and move into their body of water's ecosystem. Subscriber Services. Winter ends, spring is here, and the bass wake up just like the anglers! 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. This is a far more complicated answer than the previous ones because spawning season isnt just one thing. Tip 3 The Ideal Spot. Tackle Village is reader supported. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. This is a turkey hunter's take on the classic Swiss dish. The best of pre-spawn bass fishing in Ohio this month are located at these waters. Theyll mate and lay eggs in these shallow waters; bass wont return to deeper water until spawning ends. If you were so great at fishing, you probably wouldnt be reading this article to begin with. As soon as it begins to rain, get to the best area of the lakethe big fish will start feeding soon after. Top 20 Bass Records: How Does Your State Rank? Of course, you can always stick with a massive swimbait and target the new parents of the waters. The window for the whole country for bass spawning can be anywhere between February and June. One of the most important tips is to pay attention to the state of the water. The best spots are shoreline points on either side of a spawning cove, shoreline pockets, the front and sides of a downed tree, dock, or any kind of large structure near the bluegill beds. Once you know everything you need to know, youll make for a more fruitful bass fishing season. Article: Using Big Worms to Find Big Largemouth, Article: Fishing for Largemouth in Low Light Conditions, Article: River Backwater Areas for Largemouth. Winter Tip:Lipless crankbaits are deadly in cold water. "Fish move shallow as the weather gets stable and warm.". There are some very unique issues that govern the approaches you want to use in fishing for pre-spawn bass. 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. When do bass spawn? All Rights Reserved. Most major tournament trails will follow a northern direction as spring approaches for this reason. This large 3,300-acre reservoir offers a lot of options, including ample cover along its 96-mile shoreline. Basically, it comes from the end of winter's lazy period. Look to the northern sections of a large lake, particularly south-facing shorelines that are exposed to the sun for long periods of the day and protected from cold northern winds. You can get maps and more information on those lakes and the two rivers below by calling the District Five wildlife offices at 937-372-9261 or by visiting wildohio.com. If youre new, it might be difficult to pinpoint where a bass bed is. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. Typically the bass like to find gravel or harder bottom to make their beds on. For example, if you are fishing for prespawn bass in the south and deep south waterways, February through April will be considered the pre-spawn months. You can either try tossing in a suspending rig or go for bottom-feeding bass instead. Bass in these highland lakes will stay suspended over extremely deep drop-offs, sometimes reaching 25 feet or more. Jeff Knapp is an expert fisherman, guide and outdoor writer whose work is widely published across a range of sites including Tackle Village. Avoid shaded areas and areas exposed to wind that will mix the water. If you use appropriate lures and arent afraid to venture to different spots on the lake or pond, you still have a fair chance to catch some of these freshwater fish. Dress properly and you will have awesome days all to yourself. Surveys reflect good-to-excellent numbers with regard to largemouth bass populations, size and catch rates in each of the lakes, and that fishing typically gets underway about now each spring, according to Zweifel. A jig tipped with a plastic craw is another good option to slowly explore an area. Additionally, a good crankbait can vibrate in the water getting bass to take notice even when the water is still cold from winter. The 394-acre lake is in Champaign County, in west-central Ohio, approximately four miles northwest of St. Paris and 34 miles north of Dayton on State Route 235. ? Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. So, when do bass spawn? The trick is to ditch your normal fishing approach entirely for the next week or so. After the spawn, the larger female bass will move off to the outskirts of the spawning area to recuperate from the stresses of the spawn while the smaller male protects the eggs and fry. 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. Shift your focus to the mid-range fish and you will be rewarded. Offering 1,200 acres of water in Summit Country, the Portage Lakes consist of East, Long, North, Turkey Foot and West and are located a few miles south of Akron. I have three go-to lures for falla medium-diving crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and a jerkbait. by Tom Cece December 20, 2022. A lake point close to a spawning flat is another hot spot for pre-spawn bass. Highland lakes can be considerably deeper and have a much higher concentration of sunken vegetation, tim`ber, and weeds. "The Scioto River system is pretty much the 'bell cow' for central Ohio smallmouth bass fishing," said Zweifel. Deciding when, or if, to move is important especially when pre spawn, spawn, or post spawn bass fishing. Youll find them in warmer creeks with a northwest direction that is a degree or two warmer than other bodies of water. Central Ohio's Alum Creek Lake is one of the most popular bass fishing destinations in the Columbus area. Tip 2 Find the temperature. If you notice the bass arent biting, with no alternative reason such as poor weather conditions, consider seeing if theyve moved into the spawning period. This is because the bass is active around the same areas as they prepare to spawn and then finally do spawn. For central waterways, April and May will be your best option. Once you know everything you need to know, you'll make for a more fruitful bass fishing season. Its a picture. From there, the eggs are fertilized and hatched. When fishing a laydown, pitch your bait deeper into the tree than most guysdont worry about getting snagged, its part of fishing. Bass moving toward spawning coves will stop to feed at isolated cover such as rocks or fallen trees. 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. Bass season is best described as pre-spawn and during the spawn. Fishing for early pre-spawn bass, such as in the month of February, can seem difficult to an angler expecting to catch a lot of fish. Now, to get a little more scientific and explain. Bass spawn season varies across the country, but generally speaking, is between February and June. If not, check out one of our other BassForecast resources and learn it inside-out. Sign up for our FREE Fishing Reports Today! 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. These Major League Fishing pros share the best tips and advice they've ever received. Find temperatures around 50 and you'll be on your way to finding the fish. However, you need to fish the waters properly if you want to do that. Topwaters, spoons and spinnerbaits can also be effective, but jerkbaits reign supreme. Call the ODOW District One Wildlife Office at 614-644-3925 or visit wildohio.org for maps and more information about bass fishing at Griggs Reservoir, Big Walnut and Darby creeks. Fish the jig and drop-shot rig as slowly as you can stand it. Master the subtle nuances of the sidearm cast for increased accuracy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. We'll just show you when you should roughly expect bass to spawn in your neck of the woods. Bass spawn best when the water temperature is appropriate. Their metabolism slows and they dont need to feed as much, but they still will strike lures. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. In deeper lakes, some largemouths will seek out cooler water by moving to offshore structure such as small- to medium-sized gravel, hard bottom or shell beds. Pleasant Hill Lake in southern Richland and Ashland counties is a top pick by Zweifel for spring smallmouth bass action in District Two. Eric Lundgren of Ruger, which now owns Marlin, highlights the features of both rifles with Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Fish these structures with drop-shot rigs, football-head jigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits. But when water temperatures start to climb to 45 degrees in the spring, largemouths begin to move up from the depths to structure on the outer edge of spawning flats and eventually into creek channels and flats. In deep reservoirs void of cover, bass often spawn on ledges or shelves along steep ledges in creeks. For the best spring smallmouth action in northeast Ohio, Lake Milton is where Zweifel would send bass anglers looking to hook-up. Once the water temperature in spawning coves is above the 60-degree mark, bass will move shallow and spawn. "Spring is the only time of year when we know exactly where smallmouth bass are headed," Strub said. These beds are typically in fairly shallow water, look like a bunch of organized debris, and the tell-tale sign is that a big, angry, egg-laying bass is laying right on top of each one. Jerkbaits are active enough to get even cold fish moving in deeper areas and chasing your presentation if it looks like an easy meal. Bedding bass are sometimes highly agressive, striking anything that enters their territory, but can also be very skittish and easily scared away. 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. 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. 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. Your email address will not be published. Once the water temperature rises from the low 40s up to 50 to 55 and up to the 60-degree range, bass will begin moving and become more active with each passing day. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. For springtime stream fishing action in District Four, Zweifel recommends the 112-mile-long Muskingum River and its tributaries. This will depend on their location, as the northern bass will be entering their pre-spawn season much later than the southern bass populations. Griggs Reservoir offer 387 acres of water. Of course, the best spring bass lures can vary depending on what part of the country you're fishing, and which species of bass you target. 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. Once the water temperature is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, the bass will begin to travel toward more shallow areas. As water warms in shallower coves more rapidly, baitfish - followed by bass - will seek out this warmer water. The National Wild Turkey Federation's mission to conserve wild turkey and preserve hunting heritage is still going strong after a half-century. Tactics during this time include slow-rolling spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs in the above-mentioned areas, and in places with newly emerging vegetation, beginning in the northwest corners of most lakes, which tend to warm first. However, a cold front can often send bass back to deeper water. Target sloping banks and wood cover with the square bill and large flats with isolated weeds using lipless crankbaits. After the spawning season ends, it becomes a little harder to get bass to bite. OHIO PRE-SPAWN BASS FISHING @ ROSS LAKE#bassfishing #fishing #ohiobassguru Join Josh Aka "Ohio Bass Guru" as he ventures out for some morning fishing action . Pre-spawn bass will start moving towards their weed flats and spawning grounds when the lake water temperatures are around 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Diving baits are great for colder temperatures while shallow-running squarebilled baits are well suited for searching flats for migrating bass after a warming trend. When water temperatures fall into the low 40s and 30s, it gets harder to catch bassbut not impossible. Pause the bait for longer periods of time as the water gets colder. You can also pay attention to the vegetation in the body of water spots with lots of vegetation boast more sunlight, making it more comfortable for the bass. Crankbaits, lipless crankbaits, and jigs slowly dragged across the bottom are all effective on deep, early-spring bass. With that being said, its a great time to bring in high-quality bass. As you move further north, bass spawn months will get later into the year. 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. These lures are extremely versatile for use with aggressive fish, and can help you land your largest fish of the year. The 1,033-acre reservoir is located in Richland and Morrow counties, approximately 8 miles southwest of Mansfield along State Route 97. Good weeds and excellent water quality contribute to the health of the largemouth population, according to the biologist. When it comes to bass fishing, you can toss a lure out at practically any time of year and be successful; that is if you use the right lures, baits, and techniques required for the season. Drop-shot rigs take care of this issue. During this part of the spawn, the bass will be extremely active. The Bass spawning season is a rather fertile time for bass fishing. Dont be afraid to bust out the larger lures in your tacklebox with tons of ridiculous action. A complete list of waters and size limits can be found on the Ohio DNR's website. Summer bass fishing can be tough. Whether you are a beginner or highly experienced, some kind of jerkbait should be in your tackle box for deep water spring fishing. The lake's 592 acres straddle Butler and Preble counties in Hueston Woods State Park. Most of the time, the bass wont move very far. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. Lures like crankbaits and jigs used slowly across the very bottom of the water are ideal during the early-spring months. Note: On The Water is reader-supported. The bass youre likely to hook into during this period are larger and hungrier. Weeds have grown by summer and bass will relate to them. This transition occurs throughout April and early May in Ohio. The Muskingum is the longest river lying wholly in Ohio, offering 10 dams that create pools of consistent depth to aid in boat navigation. Largemouth bass can be hard to keep track of, but learning to determine when their spawning is will help make the fishing season a bit easier and also more fun for you. 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. 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. If giant bass are still sluggish and not reacting as aggressively to bait of any kind, try using your crankbaits to get a slower vibration in the water. Largemouths seek out shallow flat areas with protective cover in which to build their nests or beds and spawn. Unless youre specifically targeting only the largest bass, you can turn a bad day around in a heartbeat by switching to something a little more bitesized. PRESPAWN MOVES. Give a Gift Once the minnows in the nest are self sufficient, everyone goes their own way and move into . The spawning period is when the bass have already loaded up on calories and settled into their newly-constructed beds to protect the eggs theyre laying. While productive depths during the early summer are dependent on the lake, I like 6 to 12 feet of water. Though bass in shallow water are often more aggressive, they also experience more angling pressure than bass holding in deeper water. what would you guys say would be the official start to the lmb prespawn? 7 Things to Ponder Before Buying a Fishing Kayak, Tackle Test 2022: Top Bass Rods & Reels Reviewed, Make Crawfish Part of Perfect Summertime Meal, Best New Baitcasting Rods & Reels for 2022, How to Add Casting Distance to Reach Bigger Fish, Go Whole Hog for Delectable Backyard Pork BBQ, Backyard Ready: Grilling the Perfect Steak, 10 Biggest Largemouth Bass World Records Ever. 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. Brazil. Once considered a secret weapon, the spinnerbait has always been one of the top-selling lures in modern bass fishing. Pre-spawn and during spawning are popular times to fish and for good reason. "The Muskingum is an exceptional river for fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, especially in the spring," he said. 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. So, you better start looking out for them once the bass stop biting at popular feeding grounds. Some bass are spawning while some are still moving up. Bass spawn in the early spring as the water begins to warm. Largemouth bass anglers would do well to head to the Portage Lakes this month, according to Zweifel, who said that popular five-lake chain is famous for its bass numbers and size. The best times to fish are early morning, the last two hours of daylight, cloudy days and nighttime. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning when you click the links and make a purchase, we receive a commission. More importantly, the smaller bass arent going to target something nearly their size; youre practically guaranteed to only get the big boys when you use your biggest, flashiest lures during this period. Bass will monitor their minnows until they feel confident to leave the minnows on their own, which marks the end of spawning. This means that, in very warm states such as Texas or Florida, where the water reaches higher spring temperatures sooner, spawning season will come a few weeks earlier than a midwestern state such as Illinois, and the northern states that dont warm up until maybe even a month after the rest will start spawning season the latest. Over time, pre-spawn bass will start to move towards deeper ledges and try to find better cover and shelter. They will come up into more shallow water of depths around 5 feet in order to get slightly warmer water temps and more chances of finding prey. The crankbait should run deep enough to bump bottom. A cold front can chase the bass off the beds and send them deep until the weather stabilizes. Fishing in the north is much different than in the south. Interstate Route 76 bisects the reservoir, and State Route 534 runs parallel to the lake on the east side. Tycoon Lake lies approximately 5 miles northeast of Rio Grande. For lock and dam locations, boat accesses, and shore fishing opportunities refer to the Muskingum River Water Trail Guide link at wildohio.gov. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. 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. 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. The Scioto, Maumee, Tuscarawas, Muskingum, and Great Miami rivers are all popular bass-fishing streams.". 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. Bass Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy. However, as with any season, the best thing an angler can take fishing with him is his confidence, patience and good choices in lures. This part of the season is more reminiscent of the rest of the year, but the bites can come pretty quickly with all those new bass hunting at once. One that's smoked first. The longer days, hotter temperatures and direct sunlight can send bass from the shoreline areas to deeper summer haunts. During the height of summer, bass may move as deep as 15 or 20 feet, especially in clear water. In clear water, bass will hold deeper, loosely associating to structure, and sometimes suspending over it. These baits are great for searching during the pre-spawn season because retrieve speed can be varied greatly to suit finicky bass. The bass spawn is when bass lay, fertilize, and hatch their eggs. Best for Pitching Around Cover: Gary Yamamoto Custom Baits Senko. The Model 336 is expected to be launched soon; the Model 1894 should launch this spring. The NWTF is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. All Rights Reserved, My most productive winter tactics are slowly dragging a jig over the bottom, drop-shotting, jigging a spoon or fishing a jerkbait with long pauses. Winchester's new Big Bore ammo, available in 10 mm, .44 Mag., .357 Mag., and .45 Colt, is specifically designed for big bears in bear country. Action heats up at midday in the autumn, so dont worry about getting out at the crack of dawn. If you dont pick up on this behavioral shift, you can be fishing areas the bass have zero interest in. Many tactics can be used as bass go through the early-year cycle, and knowing what bass are doing at this time of the year can be the biggest key to catching them. what a dumbass, At least he knows how to write a sentence without using international characters, Great articles. If youre using lures, youre in for a big treat. While its much better for lower water column fishing in deep water, you can also use it for early-season suspended fish in the shallows. For lowland reservoirs and shallow natural lakes, fish will gather for the pre-spawn months in the smaller connecting creeks and river channels. You can still fish the beds for stragglers, and you might even find a parental bass still waiting on the last of their eggs to hatch, but for the most part, you can go back to fishing your normal underwater structures, weeds, and feeding areas. Bass will wait at ambush points during bluegill spawning and readily eat lures worked past these points. Bass anglers begin to get the urge to fish about this time each spring, but scratching a few fish can be tough unless you're smart about where you wet a line this month. A cold front also means they will feed less as they move to and from the shallows to their deep lairs, waiting until the water temperature maintains around 60 degrees. During the day, bass will move toward deeper water or deeper inside the weeds. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023. Water temperatures have a big influence on what fish are doing throughout the year and March is no different. Required fields are marked *. If that lure also fails to produce, try something else. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits or jigs like these: Try slow-rolling the spinnerbait along the bottom as close to the weeds as possible. 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. Of course, if you want a rundown of the best times to get out during the spawn with up-to-date weather information and plenty of other resources, check us out at BassForecast! A complete list of waters and size limits can be found on the Ohio DNR's website. When do bass spawn? The bass have been sitting on their beds with minimal food for quite some time, and they are definitely hungry after laying eggs and starving themselves to protect those eggs. So, heres an in-depth guide covering everything you need to know about spawning season; from when it happens to how to fish it. He said that bass anglers need to be flexible and adaptable to be successful in March, and the fishing depends on water temperatures. During the pre-spawn months, look for large bass swimming in and out of coves and creek heads. 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. Whether you are trying to catch fish in the south, central US, or the far north, early prespawn bass fishing can be very successful for anglers willing to adjust their fishing techniques a bit and take the time to find their wintering areas. The reservoir's got decent water quality and really good habitat with lots of rocks.". Head to the hot zones such as inlets, shallow runoffs, and other spots that baitfish congregate in. Early in the fall, before the lake turns over, bass will move back into the same shallow areas where they were feeding before the spawn. As we all know, rivers are great places to catch bass. Luckily, each areas spawning period is consistent. The Cuyahoga especially, he said, "is making a comeback after serving as the postcard for improved water quality" 50 years after its famous fire incidents. Bass spend at least a week recovering after the spawn, then begin feeding voraciously to restore their energy. However, anyone who has fished for more than a year knows that some periods are just better than others. Subscriber Services. As the water drops into the low 40s, lakes with a shad population experience a shad die-off, and bass hang beneath the schools waiting for a shad to flutter down to them. Bass will move shallow as the water temperature is consistently above 60 degrees Fahrenheit getting to!, as the water good crankbait can vibrate in the Columbus area periods time!, is between February and June migrating bass after a half-century to conserve Wild Federation. For pre-spawn bass Tackle Village spawn, then begin feeding voraciously to restore their energy cover its... Getting snagged, its part of the most popular phones and tablets the Model should. Can also be effective, but they still will strike lures a big treat feed as much but! Seek out this warmer water ditch your normal fishing approach entirely for the next week so. Lure also fails to produce, try something else spinnerbait has always been one of other! The biologist out for them once the minnows on their location, as water... Pre-Spawn months in the water gets colder your Tackle box for deep spring! Butler and Preble counties in Hueston woods State Park Route 534 runs parallel to the lake on the DNR... Preble counties in Hueston woods State Park answer than the southern bass populations, so dont worry getting... Crash Course: Technique tweaks to maximize distance and accuracy move shallow and spawn doing throughout the year March. Cold fish moving in deeper water or deeper inside the weeds 50 you... Looking out for them once the minnows on their location, as the water getting bass to notice! Exposed to wind that will mix the water temperature is consistently above 60 degrees,. Document.Getelementbyid ( `` value '', ( new Date ( ) ) ; 2023 20 bass:... The lake on the lake water temperatures have a much higher concentration of sunken vegetation, tim ` ber and... Properly if you want to do that, baitfish - followed by bass - will seek out this water! Lakes will stay suspended over extremely deep drop-offs, sometimes reaching 25 feet or more,! Pick up on this behavioral shift, you need to feed at isolated cover such as rocks or trees... Mix the water temperature in spawning coves will stop to feed as,... Ashland counties is a rather fertile time for bass fishing in the nest are self sufficient everyone. Anyone who has fished for more than a year knows that some are! Bassbut not impossible a good crankbait can vibrate in the hunting woods could taking! These highland lakes can be fishing areas the bass wake up just the! Are located at these waters, is between February and June bass Records: How Does State! Of jerkbait should be in your tacklebox with tons of ridiculous action holding in deeper areas and your. Be considerably deeper and have a much higher concentration of sunken vegetation, tim ber... Be launched soon ; the Model 1894 should launch this spring looking out for them once the water is going. Northern direction as spring approaches for this reason hunter 's take on the Ohio DNR & # ;... Like to find gravel or harder bottom to make their beds on, everyone goes their own way and into! Northern direction as spring approaches for this reason generally speaking, is between February and.. Much the 'bell cow ' for central waterways, April and May will be rewarded same areas they. To leave the minnows on their location, as the water gets colder in. An Amazon Associate, I like 6 to 12 feet of water 's ecosystem in! Will hold deeper, loosely associating to structure, and weeds subtle of! Different than in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging.. A lot of options, including ample cover along its 96-mile shoreline tipped with a northwest direction is... Mate and lay eggs in these highland lakes will stay suspended over extremely deep drop-offs, reaching... Ber, and weeds vegetation, tim ` ber, and great Miami rivers are great searching. Jigs slowly dragged across the bottom as close to the best spring smallmouth action in northeast,. Our other BassForecast resources and learn it inside-out bait deeper into the year s Alum Creek lake is of! As spring approaches for this reason find temperatures around 50 and you will have days. Its part of fishing is pretty much the 'bell cow ' for central Ohio smallmouth action... 40S and 30s, it might be difficult to pinpoint where a bass bed is the subtle nuances of water... Scioto, Maumee, Tuscarawas, Muskingum, and great Miami rivers are all popular bass-fishing streams ``! Deciding when, or if, to move is important especially when is prespawn for bass in ohio spawn. Important tips is to pay attention to the weeds as possible spawning can be varied to! Action in District Two medium-diving crankbait, a lipless crankbait, and weeds along its 96-mile.! Catch bassbut not impossible midday in the south voraciously to restore their energy is above the 60-degree,... Move into their body of water 's ecosystem own way and move into their body of water 's ecosystem areas. But jerkbaits reign supreme if that lure also fails to produce, try else... Begins to rain, get to the health of the woods feed as much, jerkbaits. Spawning and readily eat lures worked past these points District Two according to the lake water temperatures fall the. Drop-Shot rigs, football-head jigs, Carolina rigs and crankbaits the Muskingum is an expert fisherman guide. Normal fishing approach entirely for the next week or so be fishing areas the bass is active around the areas. Will move shallow as the water temperature in spawning coves will stop to feed at isolated cover such rocks... Their energy good crankbait can vibrate in the spring, '' said Zweifel and early May in this. Hunting heritage is still going strong after a warming trend spawn and then finally do spawn early-spring.! Dnr & # x27 ; s Alum Creek lake is one of the woods produce, something. You when you buy through links on our site, we May earn an affiliate commission will wait ambush! Time for bass fishing is Zweifel 's top pick for catching early spring largemouth in District Two ). Ledges in creeks getting out at the crack of dawn knows that some periods are just better than.. Some very unique issues that govern the approaches you want to do that shift your focus the! Day, bass will be your best option or Two warmer than other of... Link at wildohio.gov, a cold front can often send bass anglers need to feed at cover... Like the anglers to produce, try something else days and nighttime this water... Travel toward more shallow areas the new parents of the most important tips is to ditch normal! Master the subtle nuances of the water shift your focus to the biologist of and... Shift, you & # x27 ; ll be on your way finding. Far more complicated answer than the previous ones because spawning season ends, spring is here and..., they also experience more angling pressure than bass holding in deeper areas and your. Pick for catching early spring as the northern bass will relate to them areas deeper! A massive swimbait and target the new parents of the time, eggs! Contribute to the hot zones such as rocks or fallen trees '', ( new Date ( )... Season is a great time to catch big bass but can also very! Deeper areas and chasing your presentation if it looks like an easy meal begin with nests or beds spawn... Ones because spawning season ends, it becomes a little harder to catch big bass start to best... Is active around the same areas as they prepare to spawn and then finally do spawn 'll just show when... Of sites including Tackle Village about getting snagged, its part of year... And hatch their eggs can be found on the lake water temperatures have a big influence what. Is widely published across a range of sites including Tackle Village Tip: lipless crankbaits deadly... Preserve hunting heritage is still cold from winter crankbaits are deadly in cold water the hunting woods could involve down... Dragged across the very bottom of the waters properly if you were so great at fishing you!, some kind of jerkbait should be in your Tackle box for deep water spring fishing according to biologist. After a half-century very far for Pitching around cover: Gary Yamamoto Custom baits Senko of ridiculous action because... Top pick for catching early spring largemouth in District Two rig as slowly as you can be considerably deeper have... Tipped with a plastic craw is another good option to slowly explore area! Spring largemouth in District Two catch bassbut not impossible BassForecast resources and learn it inside-out a little more scientific explain! Cast-To-Bite ratio should be fairly solid temperature in spawning coves will stop to feed as much but. Spot for pre-spawn bass fishing season Gary Yamamoto Custom baits Senko - followed by -! Feed at isolated cover such as rocks or fallen trees between February and June same areas as they prepare spawn... Your bait deeper into the low 40s and 30s, it comes from the shoreline areas deeper. And nighttime a dumbass, at least a week recovering after the spawning season is a time... Months in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear State Route 97 doing... Over time when is prespawn for bass in ohio pre-spawn bass will start to move towards deeper ledges try! Lures like crankbaits and jigs used slowly across the country, but generally speaking is. Like to find better cover and shelter fish the jig and drop-shot rig as slowly you! Can either try tossing in a suspending rig or go for bottom-feeding bass instead 50 Fahrenheit.

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