EUFAULA, Ala. — Bass fishing success in the prespawn is all about intercepting the movement of bass as they travel in the same direction, which of course, is from deep to shallow water.
What theoretically sounds simple can be difficult to execute, given late winter and early spring weather patterns that cause fluctuating water temperatures and water levels from cold fronts. Just when the bass commit to moving forward, the weather changes and the bass hold in place, not resuming their migration until conditions stabilize.
That is the scenario developing this week at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open at legendary Lake Eufaula, where B.A.S.S. launches its Opens EQ format. Anglers competing in all nine events are eligible to qualify for the 2024 Bassmaster Elite Series, based on their cumulative point totals when the season concludes.
The spawning cycle is tilted more toward the back side of the prespawn, with a majority of the bass having migrated from offshore areas toward primary and secondary points, and into the creeks, where they typically stage on brushpiles — many of them strategically placed by tournament anglers. Once there, the bass either commit to the spawning grounds, or they remain in place if the weather disrupts their biological clock.
From the start, the EQ anglers are facing their first test in solving the spawning equation as it evolves over the next three days. Here is a summary of the conditions, predictions and expectations of those anglers.
“What is holding them back right now is the falling water level,” said John Garrett, of Union City, Tenn. “They are in a good place, ready to commit and move in to spawn, and all it will take is the lake rising.”
Garrett, and others whose patterns favor a spawning bite, will get their wish on Friday, when the weather forecast calls for a 70% chance of rain. Will it be enough?
Destin DeMarion, who is from Harborcreek, Pa., believes the combination of falling water, and dramatic drop in overnight temperatures (50 degrees on Friday night), will prevent the bass from making a final push.
“What’s up shallow now will spawn, and there are many bass doing just that,” he said. “I don’t think a sight-fishing pattern will hold up for three days.”
That said, DeMarion plans to narrow his bass tracking process to the nearest staging areas to the spawning flats, set up there and wait on the fish to come to him.
Miles Burghoff, of Dayton, Tenn., is seeking the alternate route, choosing to focus his efforts on where the bass will go next, instead of staying in one area.
“I’m not catching any offshore, which leads me to believe the bass are in full migration mode,” he said.
Burghoff’s search came up dry in textbook prespawn areas, such as brushpiles used as staging areas in the creeks, therefore, he will continue intercepting bass as they migrate along the transition areas.
Casey Scanlon, of Lake Ozark, Mo., is wisely keeping his options open after observing largemouth in all phases of the spawn.
“What’s so good about this lake is the abundance of different types of habitats that will accommodate bass in all of those spawning stages,” he said. “It gives everyone a chance to spread out, play their strengths.”
Also favoring that theory is Keith Tuma, of Brainerd, Minn., who also plans to keep his options open as the weather and fishing conditions change.
“With the bass in all stages, mostly prespawn, I’m going to run a junk fishing program as I try and track them down,” he said.
The start-pause-start migration pattern observed by many of the anglers interviewed as practice concluded has many choosing to hunt in the midrange areas of the lake’s migratory routes to the spawning areas.
“It’s not what I had hoped for, with groups of bass migrating into the key areas,” said Jimmy Washam of Stantonville, Tenn. “They just aren’t grouped up yet.”
Meanwhile, others are more boldly swinging for the fence, hoping to capitalize on the big females that in turn will deliver the heaviest weights to the scales. Not surprisingly, Californian Ish Monroe is among them.
“It’s my experience that the bass committed to bed will not back out,” he said. “The water temperature is perfect (65-72 degrees in his areas), and the majority are there and ready to spawn.”
Given the changing conditions, one thing is certain. The approaching change in weather on Thursday night will be a major factor on Friday and into Saturday when it matters most. Stay tuned.
