In case you missed it, we assembled a team of spawn reporters across the country to key us in on when and how to target bedding bass. The first step was to divide the country into six regions based on general spawning times. Then we assigned a bass expert to each area and asked them to choose the best window of time to fish every phase of the spawn. The first stage is the early pre-spawn.
If you live or fish in region one (see map below), you already know we are late to the party. Here, the early pre-spawn can happen as early as November and last into January. But for the rest of the country, phase one is either just getting started or right around the corner. Plus, you can take many of Scott Martin’s (our region one spawn reporter) early pre-spawn tactics and apply them to other bodies of water. Or find the region you fish and focus on the specific dates, tactics, and tips to catch a lunker during the early pre-spawn on your home waters.
Early Pre-Spawn Overview
During the early pre-spawn, bass feed heavily in deep water to bulk up for the grueling process ahead. Contingent upon the conditions, bass may hunker down on the bottom in deep, swift, and stained water. Or they may be suspended higher in the water column when it’s clearer and there’s less current. Either way, looking for bait is the key. Big wads of bait are often easy to locate with electronics or even the naked eye when they come close to the surface. As our experts will tell you, if you find the bait, you will find bass.
Region 1: Scott Martin
When to Fish the Early Pre-Spawn: December 1 to January 1
Hailing from South Florida’s most famous fishery, Lake Okeechobee, Scott Martin has extensive knowledge of the spawn in the southernmost portion of the country. And as for the early pre-spawn, it’s all about the bait. “I'm looking for flocks of birds to find schools of fish, says Martin." And I'm throwing a lot of white spinnerbaits and chatterbaits." When birds start dive bombing, it’s a dead giveaway to an angler who knows what to look for. Martin will also throw topwater lures like spooks to imitate baitfish.
Martin emphasizes targeting access points to spawning areas during this phase. This could be anything from boat trails to grass points in big water. He says that bass will school up in these locations before they move into a bay to spawn—and these are spots you should focus on during the early pre-spawn.
“They congregate this time of the year, and it can be feast or famine," Martin explains. "It can take all day to find one good spot, but if you find it, you can have one of the best days of fishing in your life." Remember, it's all about finding the bait, and the bass won't be far off.
Region 2: Scott Canterbury
When to Fish: February 15 to February 28
Alabama is known as one of the greatest and most diverse states to target bass. All three species of bass—largemouth, spotted, and smallmouth—can be caught here throughout the year. However, the early pre-spawn offers a good chance for personal best bass. The same can be said for other states in this region, like Georgia, Texas, and California.
“We've learned a lot with forward-facing sonar," Canterbury says. "Bass stay out deep around bait all winter and when they start transitioning to the bank, they move to vertical cover.” If a bass positions itself along vertical cover, like a bluff wall, it’s easy to slide up shallow when the water starts to warm but still be able to bail and return to deeper water if a cold front hits. Targeting these areas can lead to finding a lot of fish.
“Spotted bass get on real long tapering points, which is excellent for jerkbait fishing," Canterbury explains. "They’re transitioning and moving out the river channels into creeks to start spawning. This is where you'll start catching them." In addition to jerkbaits, jigs, and crankbaits, umbrella rigs are great this time of year for targeting bass that are either suspended around baitfish or hanging closer to the bottom in search of crawfish and other prey.
Region 3: Carl Jocumsen
When to Fish the Early Pre-Spawn: February 15 to February 28
Tennessee transplant by way of Toowoomba, QLD Australia, Carl Jocumsen spent the last 13 years touring the United States as a professional fisherman, and figuring out the early pre-spawn bite has been a big part of the job. “It changes every single year," he says. "Sometimes fish come up quick following a warm spell, and then those same fish will be pushed back deeper if the temps drop again—which they usually do." Being prepared to capitalize on those short windows when the water temps warm is crucial for success at this time of year. Usually, those warm spells don't last long, and then you'll be back to fishing winter patterns.
This back and forth with the weather can make locating early pre-spawn bass challenging. But bass are feeding somewhere, and looking for bait is your best bet when locating fish. “The two prominent techniques right now are using forward-facing sonar while imitating a shad or finding a clump of grass, Canterbury says. "If you're fishing a little deeper, then use a trap, chatterbait, spinnerbait, and other baits like that.”
Region 4: Bryan Schmitt
When to Fish the Early Pre-Spawn: March 15 to March 29
For Bryan Schmitt, fishing around the house is somewhat different compared to what most of us experience. Frequenting tidal fisheries like the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay give Schmitt a unique perspective on the early pre-spawn. “I don’t think the bass leave the dormant milfoil [during this time], which is only in 3 or 4 feet of water," says Schmitt. "I’ll catch them there in November and then in late February or early March."
According to Schmitt, these shallow-minded fish stay in the skinny water throughout the spawning process, able to smell when the grass starts to grow and move towards these areas. He focuses his efforts on shallow water grass for the first three stages of the spawn. Even in early spring, this is where he finds the fish.
“If you have some rocks close to the grass, the bass will stage on there," Schmitt explains. "They're just waiting until the water temp warms up." This is when Schmitt will throw crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps, but this only happens in the early pre-spawn on his home waters.
Region 5: Ben Nowak
When to Fish the Early Pre-Spawn: March 15 to March 29
Located within three hours of multiple the Great Lakes, Ben Nowak has spent the better part of his life learning how largemouth and open-water smallmouth behave. He’s given us a front-row seat through his social media, and we asked him to break down the early pre-spawn in this area.
“A lot of our lakes are glacial bodies of water or deeper reservoirs, so fish are gonna be where it drops from 7 feet to 12 to 15 feet," says Nowak. "There will be a lot of fish suspended or on isolated pieces of cover this time of year. So we focus on baitfish and where they're moving to, but those isolated pieces of cover, points, and funnels are good places to focus on.”
Nowak explains that smallmouth will typically suspend, and the largemouth will likely be on cover. During the early pre-spawn, Nowak likes to fish deeper—12 to 20 feet—grass areas for largemouth. He finds that they're relating to bluegill around this time. “I’m fishing a jig or a lipless crankbait deeper, slowly yo-yoing it," he says. "Or I'll fish a deep-diving jerkbait. If they don't eat any of those, I'll throw a Ned rig or a tube—something that I can slowly drag.”
Region 6: Jeff Gustafson
When to Fish the Early Pre-Spawn: May 1 to May 15
From north of the border, we looped in 2023 Bassmaster Classic champ Jeff Gustafson to give us an idea of what to look for when trying to track down early pre-spawn fish in the uppermost region of the country. “These are the easiest bass of the year to catch up north," says Gustafson. "They're hungry after a long winter and want to bulk up before the spawn." It's common to find big schools of bass before they disperse during the next stage of the spawn. It is also one of the best times to put big numbers of fish in the boat.
“The more you can find them deep, the better shot you have to find those big schools," says Gustafson. "It seems like they move up shallow all together for a few days before breaking apart." It was during the early pre-spawn that Gustafson caught his personal record of 21 bass in 21 casts on a jerkbait off a shallow point. These fish haven’t been pressured since last fall and are willing to bite—if you can find them.
“Jerkbaits, minnows, and little hair jigs are good for deeper water," he explains. "Up shallow, they're usually more aggressive, so you can cover water with a spinnerbait, chatterait, or crankbait." Gustafson says he also has finesse baits like a wacky rig, a tube, and a marabou jig ready to go.
