CJ

Good Luck!Smallies rock!

[move] I AM SICK IN THE HEAD [/move]

Has anybody ever experienced bass going shallow early in the season?As in about a month early.Have you found that the bass stay shallow until they are done spawning?What would some of the factors be that would cause them to change their location if they did?The fish have been shallow but there is a cold front coming.The cooler air temps will prevail for about 5 days or so.The front will cause the temps to go from highs in the mid 70s and lows in the low 60s to highs in the mid 50s to lows in the mid 30s.Any opinions would be appreciated.Thanks CJ

You'll be back.

I have now heard of this myth or fact about bass having downset eyes on a couple of occasions.I have been told that if you look at a bass ,after catching it, from the side,if its eyes appear to be looking down it is a bad sign that they aren't feeding well.This is supposed to be from weather pressure.Has anybody heard of this?Is it a fact or myth?

I would try a small Rapala floater with long pauses in between twitches.This is only a guess.Good Luck!

Suspended fish are hard to catch sometimes.Usually when I get bite from them I am showing them a presentation that is above them.One thing to try is throwing a spinnerbait behind them and reeling it in over their head from behind.This will sometime get a reaction strike.Suspended fish with some exceptions are usually in a negative feeding mood.

Another thing real quick.Its cool how other facts and theories can evolve from a thread.

ouchita,that's interesting info.I have never explored the subject of rocks and the issue of them heating the water.I do know that rocks have been the best structure to fish since October of last year. The pattern of the challenge is supposed to be working still.I don't believe it is the only pattern going or was the only pattern going at the time my friend fished.I don't know for fact that it was the best pattern.I do know that the fish that are supposed to be on the primary points aren't doing their thing yet.I have heard of fish in the 7-8 lb. class being caught out of shallow water.I am going to see for myself tomorrow.I am "going in blind"on an open tourney.Do you think I am going to use science or instinct?huh...LOL!I am going to be fishing ,what little of a butt I do have,off!Where am I going to start?Aprimary point(my most productive one).Then if I can't get that going I am heading to 2nd points,then the shallows. I apologize for not being descriptive enough in my challenge.I wish I would of put more time into it. Rolo,the one thing about the pattern is these fish are early to the shallows.This time last year and years before most quality fish were on primary points.Last year they stayed there till about the 1st week or so of April.It is a wonder.One thing I read in Chris's post is that the fish will make up their own rules sometimes.I really believe that. Well there is alot more I would like to say but I gotta get in bed.Thanks CJ

It was actually hard to decide between Chris and KenD28.KenD28 numbered his answers and gave answers to all 5 questions.

You tried?You had the lure right and was right on the water depth!I would call it a valliant effort!

You can buy a boat that is only a year or three old and the warranty can be transferred.You won't have as much warranty but you will save $$$.As far as boat brands go there are alot of them that are good boats.I would recommend a Stratos.But more than that I would recommend a Mercury motor.

I have been reading the replies.I think some structure could be considered cover and vise versa.When I am fishing I have a different feel for how I fish cover vs. structure and that is how I would base where I draw the line between them.

Welcome to the forums.Look forward to your input!

Good Job!Nothing like catching them on something you made yourself!Well will you tell us how you conctructed the lip or blade?

If it is a bass jig use a trailer.I like Netbaits Paca Chunk! RW,I know you know your stuff but if you haven't tried these on your smallies you really need to get some they ROCK!

Jnamo,Welcome to the forums.I have to disagree with you saying anyone can catch a spawning bass.I do not keep any fish though I do take them for a ride to the scales every once in a while.I do not prefer to fish for spawners but I have to on occasion.The effects of catching spawners isn't as bad as alot of people claim it is,after all the buck is the one guarding the eggs and he ain't the one I want.The female lays the eggs and usually is gone not long after.I have a pretty good population on my home lakes.

Welcome to the forum bassin' baller!We have been discussing the factors that are essential for bass to spawn on another thread"spring fishing and spawn".You might not want to go there and then again you might.Take your time and look around the sight.The articles are awesome,there is a lot of great stuff there for the beginner or the seasoned vet.But,to answer your question on lures for spawning fish,I like jigs,tubes,shallow cranks,and an occasional topwater.A big factor to that answer would be if you were sight fishing spawners or not.

There is still 9 hours and 35 min. to go.I hope more members give this a shot.Come on guys and gals,it ain't gonna hurt you to give this thing a whirl!

bigbassjim,welcome to the forum.That is a interesting thing to add to this thread. Rolo,I have used water temps as a rule of thumb and it usually works on my home lake.When I refer to water temps being essential I mean there has to be a minnimum temp.I usually look for fish to spawn at 64-68 degrees surface temp.When you referred to the lakes that hold the same temps year around then other factors would have to come into play. Another attempt to discover photoperiod as a big role,smallmouth spawn earlier in the year than do largemouth.Is it water temps?We all know that smallies are more light sensitive than their cousins. Another attempt to discover moon phase.I have cross referenced whitetail deer to bass before.The full moon does enhance the rut and will kick it in.Photoperiod is almost a proven factor to whitetails estrus cycle. It is just a big ponder to what makes the female get "ripe".bigbassjim may be onto yet another factor.Some females eggs may be more developed earlier than others. I hope this thread continues I would like to here more!

I try to stay away from cold muddy water.If thats not a possibilty i would try jerkbaits,jigs,and vibration lures in chartuese colors.

Rolo,I believe that moon phase plays a role in triggering fish to spawn.However I think water temps plays a bigger role.My opinions on this come only from personal experience.It is possible that the full moon intensifies photoperiod,I have never really thought of that and is an interesting theory. From personal experience and looking back on my fishing log,fish are going to spawn sometime in the spring.They have not always spawned on a full moon,however the full moon may push some fish to do so.There have got to be a lot of factors that effects time of spawn.Some factors encourages spawning and others discourage spawning.I don't think that fish need all of the elements and conditions to spawn,but they atleast need proper water temps. Fluke,I like your theories.

Another vote for Gammy 4/0 EWG.The only thing you might try is to slack your line slightly,so the fish can't feel you,and let it get ahold of it better.On a jig bite I usually set the hook as soon as I feel the fish(the exposed hook has something to do with this).I have had days in the past while t-rigging that I had to let the fish have it a little longer before I set the hook.

Yup,that's pretty much how I see it! Cover:anything a fish can get under,in,or around. Structure:Bottom contour,I sometimes relate rocks and stumps to structure just because they contour the bottom.

Rolo,photoperiod may be a big factor,but the fish on my home lake have been known to spawn as early as the first of April and as late as mid-May.But anyway,do you think there may be several different factors to when spawning takes place,a chemistry so to speak?