By Scott Norton
Winter is finally behind us and now we can plan on the three seasons of spawn. The three seasons of spawn are pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn. Drastic changes happen during this time of year and it kicks off the rest of the season for bass. With water temperature rising you will get the benefit of catching multiple species of fish like trout and walleye while you are fishing for bass. All species of fish are aggressive this time of year coming out of the winter. All varieties of fish are preparing the way for the next generation to replenish and renew the waters.
In the deep south their season is further along and is in the post-spawn phase by now while in the Northern regions are coming out of their thaw. Here in Western North Carolina we have many options of elevations and lakes to choose from. Spring time rain warms the water rapidly driving the instinct of bass to feed and multiply. If you are a beginner it pays to do your homework for locating bass or find an experienced angler to fish with to teach you the stages of spawn for a faster approach to learning.
The type of baits used will depend on water clarity, wind, and weather trends. Moving baits will help you locate bass concentrations while slower baits can pick of numbers of bass in an area once located. In a cooling weather trends you use slower baits while warming trends you use faster more aggressive baits. Water clarity will determine the color of bait you will use also. Use natural colored baits for clear water, bright colors for stained water, and dark colors for muddy waters.
To locate bass on a new body of water you will want to start from the main point and fish your way to the backs of the creeks. They will be deep in the early morning hours and move up in the shallows once the sun hits the water. You can develop a pattern once you find the areas the bass are in then you can replicate it all over the lake.
An important thing you need to start with is the condition of your batteries from the winter. Nothing will end your trip faster than dead batteries. Maintenance is a must for a good start to your season. The winter months are great for planning the health of your boat. Do not forget the trailer as well. Bearings, lights, and tread wear also contribute in getting you to the lake. Another thought is to replace any rusty hooks and line from the previous season just to eliminate problems before they start. The real strategy for a successful trip is to stack all the odds in your favor. Enjoy the new season and keep learning.
Scott Norton is a Western North Carolina native. Born in Asheville, N.C., he is a long-time hunter, angler and weekend warrior.