Southern Pre-Spawn
By Mike DelVisco
Southern Staff Writer
February 18, 2009
For some of us, pre-spawn bass season is right around the corner and for others it may be several months away. I happen to live in South Carolina where the water doesn’t freeze and you can pretty much fish year round. I also fish a several tournaments on southern waters during pre-spawn movements and it’s one of my favorite times to fish. Although this time of year is susceptible to changing weather and lake conditions, when you do get dialed into a pattern it can be a very rewarding experience.
Starting Your Search
The greatest bait in the world won’t help you catch fish if you aren’t around any, so understanding pre-spawn fish locations is a must for success. All bodies of water are different therefore areas that hold fish will be different from lake to lake.
On shallower, cover laden bodies of water pre-spawn fish may stage near the deeper sides of structure such as boat docks, lay downs or blow down trees. Remember that if the water you fish has an average depth of five feet, but you find areas where there is eight or ten feet of water, this is considered deep water for that particular lake. On somewhat deeper bodies of water bass may relate more towards isolated humps, drop offs or points.
No matter what type body of water you fish it is important that you concentrate on areas that are close to deeper water and potential spawning locations. The bass often use these transition areas as weather conditions change giving them an escape route to deeper more stable water. I generally like to spend some time looking at a lake map and picking suitable areas to begin my search that usually begins within the largest creek in the lake. I will circle several areas in that creek to fish during the day, narrowing down my fishing areas.
Bait Selection
Once you have an area to fish, bait selection now becomes the important factor. Think of this as a puzzle; seasonal pattern, fishing area and bait selection are all pieces to the puzzle. Figuring out each piece gets you one step closer to catching fish.
There are several factors to consider when selecting the right bait size and style. A factor like water clarity can dictate the types of bait that will produce fish. In clear water you generally want to choose smaller profile baits like jerkbaits, small spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Fish can see better and are more sight oriented feeders In clear water.
By contrast stained or dirty water situations would dictate larger, wider wobble or noisy 
vibrating style baits such as wide wobbling crankbaits, lipless crankbaits and big Colorado blade spinners. In this water situation the bass relies less on sight and more on feeling. Bass have a sensory organ that allows them to detect vibrations in the water when vision is impaired. Wider wobble or vibrating baits omit more vibration in the water resulting in more strikes.
I consider these to be “search baits” and they allow me to cover water quickly to determine the attitude of the bass. Once I start to develop a pattern, I will re-fish an area with a more methodical presentation using a Yamamoto Hula Grub, Senko of shaky worm. Showing the fish a little something different several times can result in a few more bites.
Attention to Detail
Pay close attention to detail when pre-spawn fishing. The slightest change in bait style or color or type can result in success and no fish can change to fish in a matter of hours. I remember a particular event in Texas several years ago when we were on the verge of the pre-spawn movement. Conditions early during pre-practice were cold, windy and unstable. Trying to pattern the bass was difficult and I was catching a few quality fish on a jerkbait fished really slow.
As the week progressed the weather started to stabilize and water temperatures rose a little to 56 degrees. I decided on the last day of practice to check out a large creek and began my search with a Yo-zuri Vibe lipless crankbait in a chrome color. I quickly started getting bites and felt as the week went on this would pattern might even improve.
The weather held on the first day of the with the exception of a warm south west wind and a few clouds. I was excited to get to my area but my first pass on the area with my chrome Vibe produced no bites. I changed up to a gold Vibe and quickly caught a limit of bass. One slight change because of the conditions made a huge difference.
Conditions changed throughout the week and the fish got on more of a Senko bite as the weather continued to warm up and wind died down. Being dialed into the fish and making a few slight modifications during the week was the key to my success. I’ve found that often times, duplicating this pattern during this time of the year is extremely effective.
I encourage you to try out these tools and go out and catch some pre-spawn bass: Spend some time researching your map, select the right baits and pay attention to the small details that will make your springtime fishing experience a memorable one.