By Capt. Tyler Woolcott, Florida Big Fish Adventures
In some parts of the country the bass spawn is already starting to come to an end like it is down here in Florida and others may not start up for another couple months. Regardless of your phase, this post spawn fishing tip should help you dial in your fishery when the time is right for you! One thing is the same for every fishery and every species of bass after they spawn, they are hungry! This can create some awesome and fun fishing opportunities that have led me to some of my best days on the water.
Typically after the largemouth bass spawn, there are other fish that will then begin their spawn. I’m not a scientist, but I’m sure this has a lot to do with the specific timing of why the bass do their thing when they do. In most areas of the southern United States, I know that the bluegill and often times the shad, if they are in your lakes, will start to spawn very shortly after the bass finish up. Bass will use every advantage they can when these baitfish group up to feed back up after a long couple weeks or months protecting their eggs in the shallows and this can make for some fun fishing.
Smallmouth bass and spotted bass are very similar as well in the aspect of taking advantage of bait schools when they get in that post spawn phase. I have seen them group up and attack shad, perch, alewife schools and any other bait that is readily available to them. Typically I do a lot of my searching for these things with my electronics and forward facing sonar which is a very helpful tool for learning fish activity and seeing what’s going on under the surface of the water.
Most of the time you can use clues you can visually see with your eyes to help you find this feed that is going on. Typically birds feeding on the water is an awesome sign of a feeding frenzy and that is one thing I ALWAYS look for. Also always keep your eyes peeled for fish blowing up on the surface or shad flickering as well. Sometimes the very smallest clue can lead you to much larger picture. Birds standing on specific banks, the sound of bluegill popping around vegetation, anything that clues you in to bait in the area usually means the bass aren’t very far.
Hopefully this tip will help you when the fish in your area get into the post spawn feed! Find the bait, you will find the bass! I always try to duplicate the baitfish with whatever kind of lure you are throwing. Bluegill eaters: I will throw a frog or a swimbait in bluegill colors, etc. Shad eaters: I will throw white or silver topwaters and crankbaits, etc. Always match the hatch if possible! Good luck out there this season and tight lines!
Tyler Woolcott is a professional tournament angler and guide.
