However, early spring weather is unpredictable, and as the water temperature in the shallows fluctuates from day to day, bass will move back and forth between shallow and deep water. Captain David Vance. The water temperature will be in the 45-52 degree range and the afternoon air temperatures will begin to warm t… Small, medium-running crank baits also work well. These systems typically do not induce typical spawning cycles among fishes. Fishing early in the spring can be inconsistent, but if the bite is on you can have the day of a lifetime. What does Moore's early season big bass catch mean for other Texas anglers this spring? Almost two years out from a major white bass dieoff on Lake Palestine, fishermen are again starting to watch the Neches River for signs this year’s spawning run is beginning. Signing up is fast and easy and you’ll get Five Pond Bucks just for signing up. Travis Moore boated a 13.44-pound Legacy Class ShareLunker during the Bass Champs East Texas division season opener on Sam Rayburn on Jan. 9. Tags: If some fish are holding in staging areas while others have moved up shallow, you can target more water and expect to find fish, including larger females that are looking for a big meal before they spawn. The big bass is Sam Rayburn’s 27th ShareLunker entry over 13 pound since spawning and genetics research program launched in 1986. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… The spawn is in full swing here at Lake Fork! A bed is a cleared-out area that is mostly protected from the wind that a male bass can guard once a female lays her eggs. With the 2021 Texas big bass season already off and running with a red-hot January start, I’ll offer my opinions about what might be ahead for anglers as winter turns to spring. AUSTIN, TX – The second weekend of the 2021 Toyota ShareLunker season produced the first Legacy Class largemouth bass at Sam Rayburn Reservoir. In Texas, spawning season for crappie usually happens somewhere between March and the middle of May. Though backwater creek and cove areas generally are the first places to look for spawning fish in the shallows, bass also could be using underwater highways such as channels to access these spots. Bass … Here’s a look at some of those. Bass Spawning On Lake Fork. The male bass of all varieties (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, Guadalupe) is the construction worker, building a nest in any type of substrate they find suitable, normally in rocky or gravelly areas, though they also will take to submerged logs and trees. Between February and May, White Bass migrate up rivers and streams seeking gravel or rocky bottom areas to begin spawning activity. One of the best pre spawn bass fishing tips is to find gathering points. If the beds are empty, fish points and drop-offs near flats and search for suspended bass. Lake Fork, Texas - Freshwater Fishing Report. SPAWNING – Catfish stocked alone should not be encouraged to reproduce by adding spawning habitat. Our two most popular white bass lakes are very metropolitan! From egg to larval fish, time to hatch varies and is dependent on water temperature. However, when stocked with bass and bluegill, spawning cavities can be added to the pond to increase catfish reproduction. Once air and water temperatures stabilize, that’s normally the cue to be on the water in search of a lunker. Soft plastics — worms and swimming jigs — are the baits of choice for many anglers. Tip 4 Gathering points. Because the larger females don’t normally spend time on the nest other than to carry out the reproductive process, expect to catch mostly smaller males in the shallows as they will attack any intruder whether live or manmade. All rights reserved. Pond King's products are built with expert craftsmanship and the highest quality materials. In this, the first documentary in a series on Largemouth Bass behavior, see the spawn like you've never seen it before. They provide excellent angling opportunities, grow to relatively large sizes, and spawn readily when environmental conditions are favorable. After the female has laid her eggs in the nest, the male will guard over them until the fry hatch. These anglers can call the ShareLunker hotline at (903) 681-0550 to report their catch 24/7 until April 1, 2021. Water temperatures that have been downright icy for much of the past few months soon will start to rise, setting the stage for the spawn and making anglers giddy with thoughts of big fish moving up shallower. In some cases, it just depends on the temperature of the water. Look for it to continue through March. Material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without express permission, Bass fishing in Texas best during the spring spawn. Use a 5 inch reaper when bluegill are spawning (usually during and just after bass spawn). Creeks and Flats. Weather certainly plays a large role in how bass act this time of year. The optimal temperature will be reached first in the southern parts of the country in early February and then work north throughout the spring months. Since the incubation of bass eggs is aided by sunlight, that too should be something to consider. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Some systems within Texas are less variable and warmer due to anthropogenic influences such as hot water discharge from electrical plant operations. The bass spawn is my favorite time of the year. We've been making high quality marine products in the United States since 1995. Post Spawn. April and May c… © 2021, The Texas Outdoor Digest. The Nueces River is a South Texas water that’s full of spawning white bass right now. You can usually find bass in all phases of the spawn in the month of March. Of these options, increasing available spawning habitat can promote efficient reproductive patterns. Spring is a magical season when it comes to bass fishing, and for good reason — there’s no better time to catch the bass of a lifetime than in the next couple of months on most reservoirs and river systems. For more information about artificial fish habitats, or to speak with a biologist, call or email Pond King today. Pond owners looking to increase the amount of spawning within their pond have several management options to consider. 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In Central and North Texas, the Colorado, Guadalupe, Brazos and Trinity river drainages see significant spawning runs, usually getting underway in February or March … Largemouth Bass are a nest constructing species, meaning that males sweep substrate on the bottom of ponds with their fins to create a circular, semi-hollowed area. Now, to get a little more scientific and explain. They spend the first two weeks after the spawn recooperating. As long as water temperatures reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit with its peak at 72 degrees, spawning season starts. Sweeping with fins aids in water circulation and helps the eggs to stay exposed in order to avoid siltation—which could potentially smother the egg. After that, they start feeding again. It’s Christmas time again, but with a bass fishing twist. The further south you go, the warmer the water will be so the bass will be further along in the spawning cycle. This aspect can be good for anglers since it opens up their options. Photoperiod is thought of as initiating a reproductive period and water temperature typically provides terminating cues. Largemouth Bass or Micropterus salmoides are perhaps the most sought-after fish to stock in ponds. White bass will be in the rivers or major creek tributaries. In turbid water, a bass will construct a nest shallower than in clear conditions in most circumstances. During the first three months of the season (Jan. 1 through March 31), anglers who reel in a 13+ pound bass can loan it to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the ShareLunker selective breeding and stocking program. Well, after several years of above normal precipitation, good spawns and excellent habitat in the state's hallowed bass waters, the guess here is that the 2021 big bass season will be a top-notch one between the Red River and the Rio Grande. Though it’s not an exact science, there are a number of facets of the spawn that anglers can bank on when heading out to their favorite bass fishing locale in coming weeks. What exactly is the bass spawn, … White Bass Fishing Texas Lakes. Pond King’s fish attractors are the perfect addition to any artificial habitat, promoting effective spawning within silt laden ponds and lakes. By Steve Schwartz on April 11, 2014 in Texas Fishing. Within Texas, post Fall and early Winter, once water temperature increases above approximately 60 ° F, spawning typically occurs and continues throughout a range between 60-75 ° F … A variety of artificial lures will work, but this is a good time for small jig fishing. Download our catalog to look at our latest products for 2020. The spawn will usually last for a couple months on a typical Texas reservoir like Lake Fork, Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn or Falcon. Bass feed heavily prior to the spawning ritual because they know that during the 10 to 14 days of spawning they will not feed at all. Among fishes, initiation and termination of seasonal reproductive development is usually controlled by two environmental variables: photoperiod and water temperature. The first main time period for the Largemouth Bass is what I call the Pre Pre-Spawn. Lavon Lake is a freshwater reservoir located in southeast Collin County, Texas on the East Fork of the Trinity River near Wylie! The south is heaven for those who love to fish the bass spawn. As you can see here, the early spawners are the furthest south, with most northern states not seeing spawn activity until the summer months. Even when you can see them, there’s still no guarantee they’ll inhale a barb. Cold fronts can wreak havoc with the spawning process, fooling fish into changing up their plans, especially after periods of warmth. You have entered an incorrect email address! Just like clockwork, every spring the white bass in Belton and in Stillhouse Hollow lakes ascend these reservoirs’ tributaries to spawn, creating the next generation of white bass. Monitoring moon phases also is advantageous as many bass, though not all, will lock onto their beds when they’re ready in and around periods of full moon. “It was a great day on the water at Sam Rayburn,” said Moore. Water temperatures that have been downright icy for much of the past few months soon will start to rise, setting the stage for the spawn and making anglers giddy with thoughts of big fish … Angler Travis Moore reeled in the 13.44-pounder using a Carolina rig during the Bass Champs tournament Saturday January 9. 2. At least until a strong norther messes things up. “Buck Bass” are juvenile males that start making beds very early in the season. Prime spawning temperatures for bass are 55-65 degrees. When Do Bass Spawn? 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