It appears that the water has warmed up 10 degrees in the last couple days and I've started to see the bass coming up shallow, even had some topwater action last night. So what're your guys tips for fishing around the spawn? Everything from the most basic to the most ridiculous and obscure tips are welcome, just want to start some discussion.
It's a bit hard to search since "spawn" is related to "pre/post-spawn."

Catch and release!!!!!!!!!!!

7 minutes ago, eyedabassman said:

Catch and release!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Unless you're fishing a pond that has WAY too many small bass in it like the one pond I fish.

I actually fish a pond in my subdivision that has all 12-14" bass, you'll catch like 20 in an hour. I wish I could take them out, the neighborhood assoc threatened to rescind my privileges if they caught me taking fish.  

48 minutes ago, Robert Riley said:

I actually fish a pond in my subdivision that has all 12-14" bass, you'll catch like 20 in an hour. I wish I could take them out, the neighborhood assoc threatened to rescind my privileges if they caught me taking fish.  

 

They either don't know what they're doing or they want to keep it the way it is so it's easy for all people to catch fish.  It can be an advantage either way.

I haven't seen anyone outside of myself and my friends in the 10 years I've been living there. 

Creature baits of all kinds Texas rigged slowly along the bank can produce during the spawn. Top water is always exciting. The problem is a lot of bites during the spawn are smaller male fish guarding nests. You will weed through a lot of those. The majority of bites are going to be aggression or "reaction" strikes. Finding nesting areas, keeping a good distance from the banks so you don't spook fish, and being patient about making those ornery females mad enough to strike are what I think are most important. Love using the zoom horned toad for top water and a Texas rigged chigger craw for subsurface. Good luck!

if they are smaller LMBs, use finesse texas rig with spinning gear, or small hair jigs hopped wth a casting reel. Has produced over 150 bass for me so far. same scenario as you too.

Time of day is huge around the spawn. Never really mentioned this to you but if you get out when the fish aren't locked on beds but you know what area they spawn in you can usually catch bigger fish just on the edge of the drop off. The females move in, get their business done and head out to deep water. pre/post spawn you'll find lots of 12-14 in male bass guarding fry or making beds. My best bait was always a big topwater/ sub surface bluegill swimbait.   Also finally back on here after months lol

I've been using a C-Rig a lot and I've been thinking of throwing a SKT shellcracker on it, it's a bit too late to do that in town though.