How to fish mid-spawn bass-What is the best baits-
- 1. What is the Mid-Spawn Period?
- 2. Bass Behavior During Mid-Spawn
- 3. Mid-Spawn Fishing Techniques
- 4. Conclusion
1. What is the Mid-Spawn Period?
Bass spawning is divided into three stages: pre-spawn (before spawning), mid-spawn (during spawning), and post-spawn (after spawning). Many anglers know that bass behavior changes at each stage, requiring different fishing approaches. In this article, we'll focus specifically on the "mid-spawn" period, when bass are actively in the process of spawning.
After winter ends and water temperatures exceed 50°F (10°C), bass move up to the middle range at contact points near spawning areas, where they feed heavily to build strength (pre-spawn). Then, as water temperatures rise above 59°F (15°C) from late March to May, they finally move into the shallows to begin the actual spawning process, entering the mid-spawn period.
Spawning bass become highly cautious, and the aggressive feeding behavior seen during pre-spawn seemingly disappears. Let's examine mid-spawn bass behavior in more detail in the next section.
2. Bass Behavior During Mid-Spawn
Spawning Preparation
When males move into the shallows, they create nests by using their tail fins to clear away debris, mud, and other sediment, and removing insects with their mouths. Once the nest is complete, they'll draw in females carrying eggs.
During spawning, males and females swim tightly together while waiting for the moment of spawning. This paired swimming is a good visual indicator that spawning is taking place.
Nest Locations
Bass nests are formed in shallow areas with hard bottoms where eggs can be easily deposited, and in locations with stable water flow to prevent eggs from being washed away. They're often found in protected areas such as the backs of coves.
While it's unclear whether the same individuals create nests in the same spots, nests generally appear in the same locations year after year, so it's beneficial to note where nests were found in previous years.
Right After-Spawning
After spawning, the male stays vigilant at the nest, never leaving and constantly guarding against predators targeting the eggs. This dedication to protecting the eggs is remarkable, as the male forgoes feeding to maintain his guard duty.
Since nests are typically in shallow water, bank anglers can easily observe males guarding their nests. Conversely, bass can also easily detect anglers' presence and may temporarily flee when sensing humans nearby. However, males on nest-guarding duty almost always return after a short wait.
Meanwhile, females return to contact points—breaks or structure near the nest—to rest and recover after spawning. Female bass often spawn 2-3 times during a single spring, so after regaining strength, they'll return to the shallows to spawn with different males.
3. Mid-Spawn Fishing Techniques
Based on the bass behavior we've examined, there are two main approaches to mid-spawn fishing:
- [1] Targeting actively spawning bass (sight fishing nests)
- [2] Targeting post-spawn bass preparing for their next spawn
[Caution]
Techniques [1] involves sight fishing, directly observing bass while fishing, which can be exciting. However, targeting nests can disrupt spawning and expose eggs to predators. Some anglers believe nest fishing should be avoided to protect the ecosystem, so please use your own judgment.
Some anglers exclusively target techniques [2] during this period to avoid disrupting nests.
[1] Targeting Spawning Bass (Targeting Nests)
This technique exploits the male's defensive behavior by intentionally casting baits that look like threats to the nest, triggering the bass to attack. Since bass are generally focused on the bottom where the eggs are, getting your presentation in their downward line of sight is key.
Egg-eaters that threaten bass eggs include bluegill, gobies, crayfish, and crustaceans. Even larvae that inadvertently wander into the nest are seen as foreign objects requiring removal. Generally, you should match your baits to the types of egg predators present in your fishing area.
- Bluegill Techniques
For the bluegill technique, we recommend TH Tackle's Zoe. This bait is used by B.A.S.S. Elite Series pro Kyoya Fujita and features a realistic appearance. It's a versatile bait that excels at staying on the bottom or making sudden twitches from a slow retrieve to confuse bass.
Also try MEGABASS's Sleeper Gill to imitate aggressive bluegills attacking the nest. Even when retrieved quickly, it maintains its balance while vibrating through the water, making it irresistible to bass encountering what appears to be a sudden intruder.
- Goby Technique
Bottom-dwelling gobies are another type of egg predator. MEGABASS's Dark Sleeper retrieved just above the bottom to imitate a goby pecking at eggs will provoke a reaction from nest-guarding bass. The hook is concealed in the dorsal fin, reducing snags—an additional benefit.
- Craw & Bug Technique
Stationary eggs also fall prey to crayfish and insect larvae. JACKALL's Jimmy Shrimp on a Carolina rig, dragged along the bottom to mimic a predator targeting eggs, will trigger a defensive strike. MEGABASS's Sleeper Craw simply left on the bottom can also be effective.
Insect larvae, though less mobile, are also egg predators. Try JACKALL's RV Bug or similar bug-type soft plastics dropped to the bottom with occasional shakes. Once the bass notices this foreign object in the nest, it will attempt to remove it with its mouth.
For more details on fishing techniques that leverage bass defensive behavior during spawning, please refer to our other articles.
[2] Targeting Post-Spawn Bass Preparing for Next Spawn
Since bass spawn approximately 2-3 times per season, females recovering after spawning rest at slightly deeper breaks or structure near the nest. They do feed to replenish energy, so baits with slow movement that appear easy to catch for energy-depleted bass are key.
Also note that bass completing their first spawn early and recovering for their second spawn are often the larger specimens.
- Hover-strolling for Extremely Inactive Bass
If bass seem severely depleted after spawning, try the hover-strolling technique with baits that swim very slowly through the middle water column with minimal movement. JACKALL's Drift Fry 4.0 is designed for beginners, so even if you've avoided hover-strolling techniques due to perceived difficulty, give it a try.
- Slow Soft Baits for Trophy Bass
Large soft baits like JACKALL's Dead Slowler retrieved at a dead-slow pace can entice bass looking to efficiently restore energy with substantial prey. The Dead Slowler is also effective around structure, thoroughly working areas where bass hide comfortably. While there's a high-density Full Contact version available, you can also add nail weights to the original Dead Slowler to reach slightly deeper ranges where post-spawn bass reside. For versatility, we recommend keeping the original version that can also be used in shallows.
- Long-Bill Jerkbaits for Recovering Bass
For bass that have somewhat recovered their strength, try long-bill jerkbaits that imitate small fish swimming in slightly deeper water than the shallows. Bass will actively feed on small fish swimming in front of them. MEGABASS's ONETEN R features relatively subtle action compared to other ONETEN series baits, making it more enticing to sensitive recovering bass. The ONETEN R is available in +1 to +3 diving depths to match various water depths.
4. Conclusion
We've examined mid-spawn fishing by dividing it into two techniques: directly targeting nests and targeting post-spawn females in recovery.
- [1] Targeting Spawning Bass (Nest Fishing)
- --> A fishing approach that mimics intruders in the nest: Bluegill, goby, crawfish, and insects
- [2] Targeting Bass Recovering from Spawning and Preparing for the Next Round
- --> Adjusting tactics based on the recovery stage
- • Hover-strolling with minimal movement for highly active bass
- • Slow big baits for efficiently targeting trophy bass in recovery
- • Long-bill jerkbaits for aggressive feeding just before full recovery
Directly targeting nests is productive and exciting since you're exploiting the bass's instinct to physically remove threats, but as mentioned earlier, there are varying opinions on this practice.
When fishing around nests, please release the fish back to its original location quickly after recording your catch, showing consideration for the spawning cycle.