Keith Lusher, Jr.
As spring sets in and temperatures begin to warm, bass anglers across the country are gearing up for that special time known simply as the spawn. This is when big bass move into the shallows to complete their mating process, giving fishermen their best shot at landing that fish of a lifetime. But the spawn isn't as simple as just targeting shallow water. There are distinct stages throughout the process that anglers need to understand in order to locate bass more easily. Growing up fishing the rivers of Southeast LA, I'll stick to what I know and break down the three stages of the bass spawn. Knowing these stages and how to fish them will put more bass in your boat this spring.
Stage 1: Males Move Up
As water temperatures rise into the lower 50s, the first stage of the bass spawn kicks off. These smaller male bass serve as scouts, heading to the shallows first to find suitable spawning ground to begin making their beds. This happens well before the big females move up. The males start fanning out round beds with their tails, creating clean spots on the bottom where eggs will eventually be laid. You'll typically find these beds in shallow areas near vegetation, hard bottoms, or around structure that provide some protection. In the Louisiana rivers that I fish, males often seek out areas with submerged hydrilla, eelgrass, or alligator grass.
The males are pretty aggressive during this stage, which makes them easier to catch. While they might not be the trophy fish we're all after, they're definitely a blast to catch. I like to make a note of where I catch the males because that’s generally where the females will be in a week or two.
To target these bass, try swimming a Texas-rigged 6-inch lizard or 7½-inch ribbontail worm over these beds. I'll rig these with a straight shank 3/0 hook and a 1/16 bullet weight. Make long casts over the grass with medium-heavy tackle with 16-pound fluorocarbon, hold your rod tiptop high, and maintain a steady retrieve. The bait will bounce through the grass and trigger strikes.
A buzzbait can also work wonders during this stage. The commotion on the surface often draws reaction strikes from those males guarding potential spawning areas. If they don't hit the buzzbait, drop back with that lizard or worm.
Remember, water temperature is the key trigger for this whole process. Once the water temperatures climb into the upper 50s, more and more beds will appear. Catching these smaller males is not only fun, but also shows you exactly where to focus when those big egg-laden females start showing up for the main event.
Stage 2: Females Move Up
Once the males have established their beds and conditions are just right, we move into the most exciting stage of the spawn - when the big females move up. This is, hands down, your best shot at catching a personal best (PB) bass all year. Those egg-laden females are at their absolute heaviest, and before they've laid their eggs, they're still actively feeding rather than focusing on the actual spawning.
The females typically arrive about two to three weeks after the males make their initial push. A healthy female largemouth in her prime can produce roughly 5,000 eggs per pound of body weight - that's a lot of extra weight on those trophy fish! This is why that 8-pounder might actually weigh 10 pounds during this stage.
Here in Louisiana, some of those big girls are already staging by late February, just waiting for that first warming trend to push them into the spawning shallows. In early March, they'll start moving up looking for suitable beds. The key is finding where these females are holding before they commit to a bed.
When fishing for big females, I like to position my boat at a distance that won't spook the fish but still allows for accurate casts. Cast beyond the bed and bring your bait right into it, letting it sit directly on or very near the nest. Patience is absolutely key here. Sometimes you'll need to soak that bait for several minutes before the fish commits.
For baits, you can't beat a Texas-rigged creature bait in darker colors like black/blue, green pumpkin, or junebug. A 3/8 to 1/2 ounce weight helps you make accurate casts and keep the bait in place. Tube baits, lizards, and big worms are all effective options as well. The key is getting that bait to stay put right on the bed.
Stage 3: Males Return to Fertilize and Guard the Nest
Once the females have laid their eggs, we enter the third stage of the spawn - when the male bass take over completely. This is where those smaller buck bass earn their keep by fertilizing the eggs and then standing guard over the next generation of bass.
After the female does her part and deposits thousands of eggs into the carefully prepared bed, the male moves in immediately to fertilize them. What follows is a period of intense vigilance that can last up to two weeks as the male protects these developing eggs and, eventually, the tiny fry.
The guarding males are incredibly protective - think of them like parents watching their kids at a playground. They're not necessarily looking to feed, but they're absolutely ready to attack anything that threatens their young. This makes them extremely aggressive targets for anglers who know how to capitalize on this protective instinct.
When the eggs hatch, you'll start to see those little clouds of fry - tiny, almost transparent baby bass - gathering around structure in the shallows. The males keep these "balls of fry" corralled around protective cover like bushes, dock poles, vegetation, and laydowns. Their only mission now is to protect these vulnerable young until they're big enough to fend for themselves.
These guarding papas are so focused on protection that they'll attack practically anything that comes near their nursery. That's why this is such a productive time to fish, even though you're typically catching those smaller males instead of the trophy females.
The best locations to target these fry guarders are stumps, laydowns, shallow docks, grass lines, and floating weed mats. As the day progresses and the sun gets higher, these fry will often move to shaded areas for protection, so adjust your targeting accordingly.
If you come across a guardian that shows interest but doesn't commit, try a follow-up bait. Start with something like a swimbait to get the fish to show its position, then pitch back with a soft jerkbait or stick bait that moves slowly and mimics a bluegill - these fry guarders absolutely can't stand seeing a bream near their young. Also, any artificial bream lures will work as bream will be the top predator to bass fry.
Taking advantage of the bass spawn can pay serious dividends when it comes to catching quality fish. By recognizing which stage is happening in your local river and adapting your approach accordingly, you'll not only catch more bass but significantly increase your chances of landing that personal best. So, keep an eye on those water temperatures, watch for the telltale signs of spawning activity, and get ready for some of the most exciting fishing the river has to offer. The trophy of a lifetime could be just a cast away.
