Pre-Spawn Bass Secrets & New Used Gear Finds at Sweeney’s
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How to Catch the Biggest Bass of Your Life: Shap’s Pre-Spawn Secrets
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How to Catch the Biggest Bass of Your Life: Shap’s Pre-Spawn Secrets
By @shapsbaits
At last week’s Napa Fishing Club meeting at Sweeney’s Sports, we turned the conversation over to Shap from @shapsbaits for a deep dive into bass fishing.
There were plenty of tips shared throughout the night, but one part of the discussion immediately got our attention.
If catching the biggest bass of your life is on your fishing bucket list, Shap has one piece of advice: Don't wait until the spawn.
According to @shapsbaits, the period leading into the spring spawn - especially January, February and March - can offer one of the best opportunities of the entire year to catch a true giant.
“January, February, March is probably classic pre-spawn,” Shap explains. “That’s your chance to catch the biggest fish of your life. There’s no question about it.”
And there’s a reason: Those Fish Have Been Building All Winter.
During winter, bass metabolism slows, but the fish don't stop feeding.
They continue eating while burning less energy, and big females are also developing eggs in preparation for the upcoming spawn.
The result can be an already large bass carrying considerably more weight than she will later in the year.
“They’ve been sitting, they’ve been eating all winter long while their metabolism is still slow, and they’re just building up fat,” Shap says.
“And on top of that, the females are building eggs in their body.”
That combination is what makes pre-spawn fishing so exciting. You aren't just chasing a five-pound fish that happens to be active. You may be chasing the heaviest version of that fish you'll see all year.
Every Fish Doesn't Spawn at the Same Time
One of Shap's biggest lessons is that bass don't all follow one calendar.
“Every fish in every lake is different.”
On many local lakes, spawning activity can begin around March and continue in waves well into spring or even early summer.
Some fish move first. Others stay deeper longer. Some are already spawning while others remain solidly in a pre-spawn feeding pattern.
That means the opportunity can last much longer than anglers sometimes realize. Shap also pays attention to the moon.
As water temperatures rise and the full moon approaches, he believes more fish begin making their push toward spawning areas.
And that's where one of his most interesting theories comes into play.
Why Shap Watches the Crawdads
According to Shap, as bass get closer to spawning, female fish need additional calcium to help develop strong, healthy eggs.
And one of the richest sources of calcium swimming — or crawling — around the lake?
Crawdads.
“They start feeding up on crawdads,” Shap explains. “They’ve got to build calcium to have strong, healthy eggs.”
That is one of the reasons he believes crawdad patterns become so important during the pre-spawn period.
On a lake like Berryessa, Shap pays close attention to those early-season crawfish patterns as fish begin moving toward spawning areas.
Bass may also key on bluegill during the same transition, but crawdads become one of the first forage sources Shap thinks about when the water begins warming.
And that leads to a simple rule: When Spring Starts Coming, Think Red.
One of the most recognizable early-season bass patterns is also one of Shap's favorites: Red crawdad baits.
Shap points to professional tournament anglers who have used bright red lipless crankbaits during cold-water events - even with water temperatures still in the 40s.
The water may still feel like winter to us. But the fish can feel spring coming.
Shap's theory is that those bass begin looking for crawfish as their bodies prepare for the spawn.
That makes baits such as a red crawdad LV500, Rat-L-Trap, or craw-pattern jig extremely interesting choices.
And when early spring rains muddy the water? Shap likes to get even louder.
“Something bright red, orange belly, crazy obnoxious will get some of those early spring fish - and some really big ones.”
The Muddy Water Opportunity
Spring rain can dramatically change a lake.
Water gets dirtier. Temperatures may drop. Visibility shrinks.
A lot of anglers see those conditions and assume fishing is going to get worse.
Shap sees an opportunity.
When visibility drops, bright reds and oranges can stand out in a way natural colors may not.
That can make an aggressive crawdad-colored bait a great search tool for fish moving toward spawning areas.
Think:
Bright red lipless crankbaits
Crawdad-pattern crankbaits
Red and orange jigs
Orange bellies
Loud colors in stained or muddy water
Sometimes subtle wins. But sometimes you want something a bass simply can't ignore.
Don't Forget About Bluegill
Crawdads aren't the only forage bass are watching during this transition.
As fish move toward shallow spawning areas, bluegill can also become an important part of the equation.
That's one of the reasons pre-spawn fishing isn't about blindly throwing one lure.
It's about understanding what the fish are preparing to do - and what they're eating while they do it.
Ask yourself:
Where are these fish headed?, What are they eating?, What has the weather done to the water?, Is the lake beginning to warm?
Those answers can help you decide whether it's time to pick up that craw jig, red lipless crankbait, or bluegill imitation.
Your Best Chance at a Giant
You can catch bass twelve months a year.
But if your goal isn't simply catching fish - if your goal is catching the biggest bass you've ever caught - Shap believes the pre-spawn period is one of the best times to make it happen.
The biggest females are heavy, they're feeding, they're preparing to spawn, and they're beginning to move.
So when winter starts loosening its grip and the first signs of spring begin showing up, don't wait for perfect weather.
Watch the warming trends,watch the moon,watch the water color, watch the crawdads.
And make sure you've got something red tied on. Because the biggest bass in the lake might be getting ready to eat.
Getting ready for pre-spawn bass season?
Stop by Sweeney's Sports in Napa. We can help you put together the right rods, reels, jigs, crankbaits and colors for Berryessa and the other waters you're fishing this spring.
What's new in the shop:
What’s New in Used Fishing Gear at Sweeney’s?
The latest Pond Stars trade-ins have brought plenty of interesting used gear into Sweeney’s Sports, from vintage Fenwick and Sabre rods to Okuma setups, surf rods, and quality used reels. Whether you’re looking for bass, salmon, striper, sturgeon, tuna, or surf fishing gear, there are some great finds in the shop at a fraction of their original prices.
Live Bait Update
Available this week:
Pile worms
And if you're not sure what to run—stop by the shop and let’s talk strategy.
As always,
We truly appreciate every time you walk through our doors. Thank you for choosing to spend your hard-earned dollars with us. It's a privilege to be of service.
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