After receiving PMs on this subject I thought it only fitting to kick this thread back to the top

If I read this correctly, it seems what everyone is saying, is the spawn periods are different by location, and if you want to be real successful, then you best know your location real well.

I find the easiest way to sort our which period they are in is to sample the areas. For example, I know that in sunny south Florida, the prespawn period will have the bass moving from their summer regions to the outside areas of spawning locations. It doesn't take a thousand casts to figure if that is happening. At the same time I will test spawn areas to see if there is male activity of nest construction. Again, not a lot of casts to sort this out either.

The key is to know your lake, do some testing of the known areas, and you will find this whole process not difficult to keep up with.

On a lake that is unfamiliar local advise is worth 2000 casts. For example, on the Marsh/Farm we have many areas that look ideal for spawn activity, but only a few that really do. Without the knowledge of where, you could spend days locating these areas, and when you do it may be too late. Don't be too proud to ask.

Ditto.

I fish small ponds, and the same is true there. Two ponds, side by side, might be a week or more apart in timing. Appears to be due, mostly, to unequal heating. Change something drastically between the two, like volume, and the difference could be weeks, or more. As to the fishing, all kinds of unforeseen things can appear. Gotta be there to keep on the pulse.

I'll potentially have open water in about three weeks. I start with ice-out winterkill checks, and then stay on 'em as much as I can. 

My head is buzzing with the amount of knowledge that is in this thread. Although I fish ponds and creeks 99% of the time this information is invaluable and worth it's weight in gold to any angler.

I sincerely say THANK YOU for sharing this information. Now if I only lived in Cali, Florida or Texas and have the lunkers you guys get to see everyday.  :-/

WOW, a blast from the past!

Hey Catt, those were the good ole days when we kept things simple ;D

Roger

One of the best pure & simple collaboration on this subject