| Locating early spring smallmouth can be | | | | Phase 2 - Water Temp. 48-52 degrees |
| somewhat of a challenging task. However, once | | | | When the water temperature approaches 50 |
| you learn and understand a little bit about their | | | | degrees, both male and female smallmouth will be |
| migration patterns you can greatly increase your | | | | in a full-fledged migration pattern. Most of the fish |
| odds of locating smallmouth bass in early spring. If | | | | will now be in shallow water aggressively feeding, |
| you are thinking about doing some early spring | | | | moving, and searching for nesting sites. Cover |
| smallmouth bass fishing, check the water | | | | such as rocks, weeds, fallen trees, docks, or any |
| temperature, and consider these facts. | | | | shallow cover in water 3 to 8 feet deep can |
| The pre-spawn smallmouth bass period can be | | | | attract fish. |
| broken down into 3 phases based on water | | | | Phase 3 - Water Temp. 53-55 degrees |
| temperature. These phases are not carved in | | | | As the water temperature approaches the mid |
| stone but will give you a general idea of where to | | | | 50's, aggressive behavior starts to take a |
| look for and locate smallies during pre-spawn | | | | downswing. The males will begin sweeping out |
| which takes place in early spring. The 3 phases | | | | nests in shallow gravel, rocks, sand or other |
| are temperature dependent and the fish behavior | | | | suitable bottom composition depending on the |
| and location are different for each | | | | features and structure of the lake you are fishing |
| Phase 1 - Water Temp. 46-48 degrees | | | | on. The females will move back out to deeper |
| As the water temperature rises into the mid 40's | | | | water close to drop offs at this time and wait |
| smallmouth bass will still remain in deeper water | | | | until they are ready to spawn before moving |
| but will begin moving closer to their shallow water | | | | shallow again. Males can be caught in very shallow |
| spawning area's. When the water temperature | | | | water at this time. You will need to move to |
| reaches 46 to 48 degrees they will start to | | | | deeper water to catch the females during this |
| disperse and begin filtering into shallow water, | | | | phase. |
| usually less than 10 feet deep, in search of food | | | | On your next early spring smallmouth bass fishing |
| and/or nesting sites. Keep in mind that crayfish | | | | adventure, check the water temperature, |
| spawn during this time so lures that imitate | | | | consider these 3 phases, and you will increase |
| crayfish are a good option during this phase. | | | | your chances of locating those pre-spawn smallies. |