Bert Swope
Bass fish tend to seek cooler, deeper waters during the warmest parts of each day and tend to congregate near docks, trees and any structure offering cover like docks or trees. They often stay near areas near spawning beds which provide easy access to deeper waters such as ledges.
Search natural lakes and man-made reservoirs for edges such as creek channels, river mouths, rock piles and grass or weedy bays that might indicate such edges.
Spring
As spring begins, largemouth bass are on the move – transitioning from deep waters back into shallow ones and searching for prime spawning locations. Water temperatures and length of daylight hours both play an integral role in their movements and movements; understanding these seasonal patterns will help you catch more largemouths!
Largemouth bass fisheries typically experience pre-spawn activity around lakes and reservoirs in which gravelly flats exist in shallower parts, staging areas (deeper regions close to the surface), spawning sites (usually within 10 feet from shore and with easy access to deeper waters like ledges or sunken logs), male spawning sites are prepared by males before males arrive at them to mate – sometimes months prior!). Males then show up first at each site to begin prepping it for spawning; males then usually arrive first at each one to begin prepping it prior to males arriving there to complete mating rituals before finally showing up to prep it and make an initial visit before showing up at their chosen spawning site to complete prespawn preparation before finally appearing at their destination spawning site by males arriving within 10 feet from shore and offering access to deeper water such as ledge or sunken log.
Female bass will begin the actual spawning process shortly after females arrive, as soon as all eggs hatch they’ll spend several days recovering and may remain still for some time afterward before beginning to move between shallow and deeper waters for feeding purposes.
Largemouth bass will be found feeding on points and humps throughout the summer, and coves may become popular places where they spend most of their time feeding on shad and other baitfish. Success during these hot months lies in understanding their movements as short excursions triggered by water temperature and daylight; their trips tend to focus around areas with food as well as temperatures conducive for oxygen levels in water bodies that offer both.
Skipping jigs and plastic stick worms are perfect lures to use during the heat of summer when bass are found hiding under cover. Look for them around docks in Lake Minnetonka back bays, laydowns in coves, creek channels connecting various coves of Lake Minnetonka or points with deep-water structures like brush piles or rock jetties; these areas will likely hold bass looking for relief from the scorching sun – these will likely prove more accommodating than seeking them in their native home waters!
Summer
As bass transition from shallow waters to deeper waters for summertime residence, now can be an excellent time to target them with shallow crankbaits or suspending jerkbaits. Also look out for bass near river channel points and cove mouths.
Largemouth bass will feed heavily during this season, moving between deep and shallow waters throughout the day and feeding heavily on food sources like vegetation and baitfish. To catch bass at this time of year, use crankbaits with loud rattles or plastic worms on jigheads with short pauses between rapid jerks; these tactics should lead to success!
As temperatures heat up, bass will seek cooler and deeper waters to conserve their energy and conserve resources. They prefer areas such as ledges, drop-offs, humps and deeper waters where they can hide before ambushing prey. They will also find refuge in creek channels, river mouths and other current-rich environments which provide oxygen and food to sustain them during a prolonged pursuit of prey.
In lakes or reservoirs, bass often gather in areas off-shore such as main lake ledges, points, open water rockpiles, drop-offs where schools of shad migrate through in summer months and wait in these spots for baitfish to pass before intercepting them.
As soon as fall arrives, cool autumn temperatures and shorter days force bass to resume feeding, migrating back to coves and creek arms where they feed heavily on shad and other baitfish. Look out for them on main lake humps and points as well as in coves and creek arms near cover that provides shade. A front passing through during this season could prompt them further into these refuges–making for an ideal opportunity to use diving plugs!
Fall
As temperatures begin to cool down, bass migrate deeper. Look out for them near coves, points and ledges along creeks or rivers as well as channel ledges, points, rockpiles or open water rockpiles in lakes or reservoirs. Their aim is to conserve metabolic energy so they will spend less time moving around the body of water and instead prefer staying near cover where they can ambush passing baitfish.
As the season advances, vegetation dies off and bass feed their bodies for winter spawn. They can be caught using various lures in the fall but it is crucial that fishermen understand when is best to fish for them – early fall temperatures allow bass to easily feed on shallow weedbeds or vegetation near shallow bodies of water.
As water temperatures decrease and oxygen depletes in deep, euphotic layers of lakes, bass will move to cooler, oxygen rich waters closer to the surface – providing opportunities to catch larger specimens. If you know where this occurs you could catch some real beauty!
As soon as it gets cold, bass are eager to pack on weight for winter and will feed aggressively. One way to make them bite is to target thinned out lily pads in 4-foot of water that are 45 degrees; use either a small crankbait or suspending jerkbait to tempt them in.
When weather remains cold and ice forms on lakes, you should search for bass near rocky or gravel banks in deeper water. They tend to stay longer here because rocks absorb some of the sunlight’s heat, leaving it warmer than surrounding water temperatures – this draws bait fish, which in turn attracts large Bass. You can target these bass by using either a shallow running crankbait, deep diving crankbait, suspending jig or all three. As conditions vary on lakes in Fall and Winter seasons it is key that lures can adapt accordingly!
Winter
Bass are cold-blooded creatures and will seek shelter in deep waters during winter, only moving closer to shallower ones when there is heat available. When active during this period, they will typically be found near brush or rock piles for protection, making it harder for fishermen to catch them than during warmer seasons.
Winter fishing requires finding water temperatures above 41 degrees, as even slight variations can make a difference for bass. Therefore, it is key to look for areas within a lake where this occurs; whether that means targeting outside structures like points, humps and logs on spawning flats.
Once bass have finished spawning they move deeper water for safety; however they may return occasionally to shallow waters for feeding after they spawned. This is an ideal opportunity to witness large females hunting food while guarding newly hatched young. Males will still be present but are typically more agitated and less willing to bite out of fear or aggression than their counterparts.
Fall and early spring see bass making their annual migration back into shallower waters in preparation for spawning, typically moving back out once their eggs and fry are safely laid. When fishing autumn bass fishing spots should include shallow areas adjacent to deep water such as creeks or rocky banks with lots of Lily pad stems or reeds.
Winter bass fisheries remain deep waters, yet will find shelter such as brush piles and rock piles to help regulate their body heat. Bass are commonly seen in deeper channels of lakes seeking warmer waters and hiding places from predators; although they won’t suspend as frequently, making them easier to catch than some other lake species.
