03/10/05

Pre Spawn is a time of great movement.  Keeping in mind, that warmer water is the key for bigger female bass, consider fishing rip rap and boulders

One of the most over looked pre spawn covers is rip rap and large boulders.  A recent team tournament that I fished in reminded of this rule.  With water temperatures in the low 50's, but with the weather man cooperating, we had conditions where the air temperature was in the low 70's.  Given these conditions, I decided to check out a cove where I new there were some giant boulders in about 12 feet of water that came up to about 3 feet of water.  These giant boulders hold heat very well and I reasoned that maybe this might heat up the water around them and maybe the action as well.

What I discovered with my son that day was a heard of big bass, up to ten pounds using these rocks the way Southern Californians use tanning booths. The bass literally were laying right on top of the rocks, actually placing their bellies on on just above the rocks.  Tossing a bait made these fish very territorial, just like a fish on a bed would be.  They would only bite when a bait invade their tiny space. 

My team partner and I visited the area the next week in our tournament, and while I never did find the ten pounders, we found a good supply of four pounders, who were willing to defend those rocks right into our livewell.

The same thing is true with rip rap, never over look the possibilites of good, heat conducting cover when the bass are trying to warm themselves just before the spawn.  The fish will act like bed fish, and they will be good sized.