Pre-spawn Trophy Tactics

Posted On February 22, 2012

  Late February and early March has proven to be the primary time for anglers to catch a trophy bass. All across North America many lakes produce quality bass in the pre-spring, pre-spawn time frame. As the lakes come alive following the winter with the emerging forage, and bass tend to feed to prepare for the spawn. In this season trophies are caught and records have been broken. In this post we will discuss some proven lure choices and tactics for landing the large ones. However, in the season prior to the reproduction, responsible angling is a must to sew the seed for the future. Please be selective in your cull or practice catch and release. A photograph is better than a dead fish on the wall for sharing with others.    


 During the warming longer days of late February and early March bass are primarily caught along the creek channels in water as deep as twenty feet. The “season of the jig”, is what many anglers call the pre-spawn period, due to the effectiveness as a crawfish imitation bait. In clear water lakes anglers often select a 3/8-ounce black and blue, or black with red flake to imitate the pre-spawn bass’ favorite crawfish meal.     


 As the water gradually warms up the bass will move out of the creek channels and journey into the shallow areas in preparation for the spawn, during this occurrence, anglers often select a big spinnerbait as their lure of choice. Fishing the larger spinnerbaits through cover , and knocking on submerged timber is a great way to catch a traveling lunker as it moves back and forth from deep to shallow.   


  The ever faithful crankbait is also a popular choice for the pre-spawn anglers. When fished off main lake points or along the rip-rap rocks it is hard to beat. Color choices vary by water clarity, but popular pre-spawn colors are fire tiger, crawfish colors, chartreuse, and pearl will often catch bass. In areas of rocks allowing the bait to bump and knock has landed many trophies for anglers in this season.    


 I hope each of you have the chance to get out on the water for some early season bass. Smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass will soon be filling live wells, and I hope to hear from some of you how these tips have helped to make that possible.  

Happy Fishing!    

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About

Mark Bilbrey
Mark Bilbrey
Crossville, TN
Joined July 6, 2010

Growing up on Dale Hollow Lake, in Tennessee, fishing with his family in the shadow of legendary bass angler, the late Billy Westmorland, gave young Mark Bilbrey a solid foundation in the sport of fishing. Mark became an Eagle Scout through conservation projects on Dale Hollow lake and other area parks. He received a skipper certification through the USCG at the age of eighteen navigating and fishing Dale Hollow Lake. Now, after many years as a businessman, Bilbrey has completed professional fishing guide training at Foley/Belsaw in preparation for a future in the industry. A registered Master Angler in Tennessee, and an Ambassador to the World Fishing Network he shares his tips, techniques and stories in hopes to help teach new anglers how to locate and catch fish. His articles have been featured on the web sites of the North American Fishing Club, Monticello Big Bass, and Catfishing Journals. Mark was recently on ESPN Radio's "Set the Hook!" with Pat Rose talking about, what else? Fishing!. Bilbrey holds memberships in several fishing organizations including B.A.S.S., NAFC, and FLW. His passion for sport fishing has been recognized in a promotional video on the World Fishing Network and he was recently selected as "Ambassador of the Year" by WFN. He credits his passion for fishing to his wife Donna and his childhood fishing with his father, Billy Bilbrey, his three older brothers and to his cousin Jack Huddelston, owner of Dale Hollows, Horse Creek Dock.

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