The #1 requirement for moving bass shallow during pre-spawn is sun light?

While this is a true statement it is not the entire equation, let's examine the pre-spawn conditions a little closer.

If we have sunny days warming the water this usually means we'll have dropping temperatures at night due to the fact there is no cloud cover to retain the heat. Add to this wind factures which usually accompany sunny high pressure weather, again we will see a drop in temperatures at night. Cold night time temperatures and windy conditions will negates any temperatures rises obtained during daylight hours.

The ideal conditions would be 3 or 4 partly sunny warms days accompanied by 3 or 4 warm nights with little or no wind. This weather pattern will warm the water and hold the temperature steady longer than 3 or 4 days of just sun light.

So when making your plans to head out for some pre-spawn fishing watch your weather channel for a night time warming trend.

Tommy T

Right on Catt. That is some great advise. Thanks

Yup, doesn't have to be a heat wave or even a warm front, stability is a sure trigger.

Yes...........LBH, it seems like in mid-late April the bass move up here, and your right doesn't even have to be a real warming trend, just a few days of consistantly calm stable weather. But when the first real warm spell does show up.............look out...........it's on. I always make it point to fish shallow after the first stretch of cloudy days/mild nights. My PB for each season, the last 3 years has been caught during this time.

Great info Catt. Thanks.

While I agree that sunlight plays a role, warming water temperature is the reason for a migration into the shallows. There are likely many variables and no single variable is reason enough alone but I feel that the temperature is the strongest draw.

Thanks Catt, I'll tuck that tip under my hat.

MIke

Thanks for the info.

Right on Brother!

Good info.  Don't forget to look for an important ingredient... food.  Even with all the perfect conditions, no food usually equals no fish.

We have established the ideal conditions would be 3 or 4 partly sunny warms days accompanied by 3 or 4 warm nights with little or no wind. Let's look at another seasonal weather pattern that gives us clues that pre-spawn is upon us.

As winter gives way to spring we start to notice fronts moving in from the west coast bringing early spring rains. More anglers despise the rains but the experienced angler awaits them knowing that in order to rain the temperatures must first warm up.

Now is the time to dig out your slicker suits and start looking for those pre-spawn bass.

Catt, you and I have the trees to look at also.    What is the old phrase in East Texas, when the Dogwoods start to blossom, the spawn is usually on.

Matt

Dogwoods, azaleas, willows  

I've been taught that by a man that really knows some bass behavior,my father-in-law.I agree with you.During the winter and early spring ,here in the deep South,3 or 4 days of unseasonably warmer days AND nights that aren't frigid cold will move the bass shallower and inable them to feed more aggressively.Good info !