Ohioguy25 Posted April 10, 2023 Share Posted April 10, 2023 There seem to be mixed schools of thought on this. Some insist they absolutely stay in and around their winter holes, which often double as spawning areas, until after the spawn. Others swear they completely abandon them and go as far as they need to in order to find good current to feed in. I’m not experienced enough yet to know which is really accurate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Ketchum Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Smallmouth will spawn in shallow areas without much current has been my experience. Afterwards, they move on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulVE64 Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 My local river empties into the great lakes without dams so alot of my summer smallies probably winter in lake huron. I bet theyll travel 20 miles/day in spurts during the prespawn. And the resident (river) smallies run up the local streams and creeks which warm up soonest. Just need to get through the spring runoff so the bass feel safe and the water can get some sun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 11, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted April 11, 2023 The bass don’t care what the schools of thought are. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohioguy25 Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 28 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said: The bass don’t care what the schools of thought are. So there are no hard and fast rules is what you’re saying? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulVE64 Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 I can say that I believe that behavior or patterns during spawn are totally not about feeding. Before and after spawn they are feeding but not during Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susky River Rat Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Just some food for thought. Last few years prespawn they have been shallow and hungry. This year not the case. They have been holding out in deeper water and have not pushed shallow. It has been a fineness game to get them to eat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohioguy25 Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 7 hours ago, PaulVE64 said: I can say that I believe that behavior or patterns during spawn are totally not about feeding. Before and after spawn they are feeding but not during I’m talking prespawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 11, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted April 11, 2023 9 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said: So there are no hard and fast rules is what you’re saying? Indeed 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Zurawski Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 11 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said: There seem to be mixed schools of thought on this. Some insist they absolutely stay in and around their winter holes, which often double as spawning areas, until after the spawn. Yep. Others swear they completely abandon them and go as far as they need to in order to find good current to feed in. Yep. 11 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said: I’m not experienced enough yet to know which is really accurate. In my experience, both are accurate and it's best to fish both types of spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohioguy25 Posted April 11, 2023 Author Share Posted April 11, 2023 5 hours ago, TnRiver46 said: Indeed Well then I guess we’d better get on the water ???? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted April 11, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted April 11, 2023 1 hour ago, Ohioguy25 said: Well then I guess we’d better get on the water ???? Ya never know what might happen out there! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulVE64 Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Prespawn river smallies I have found no definative study or article but I believe a smallie that's made it thru winter has got to be stressed. So without any other factors I would assume that theyll winter as close as possible to spawning grounds and spend prespawn at the closest and easiest feeding area as is available. Local features will apply and your results may differ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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