Breaking Down the Bass Fishing Seasons

The ever-changing weather and water conditions in the Northeast create a special breed of bass fishermen. To be successful, anglers have to follow changing patterns and always be prepared to adapt and adjust on the fly. The first step is understanding the phases of our bass fishing seasons and the transition periods that connect them. 

Ice Out/Cold Water

Whether a water body fully ices over or not, when the season starts and there is open water to fish, that water is going to be cold. The depth of a water body plays an outsized role in tactics and timing. In shallow lakes and ponds, which heat up faster than deeper ones, target areas that have slight depth changes in proximity to some combination of hard structure, grass, and hard bottom.

In areas with isolated grass, reach for a  jerkbait. Around wood or rock, try a bottom bait like a jig. In deeper lakes, search for humps, high spots, and points in 15 to 30 feet of water. Bass hold in these areas throughout the winter, so you will often find fish, especially smallmouth, set up and willing to feed. In deeper water, a small bottom bait such as a Ned rig should produce. Take note of the forage present and do your best to match it. 

Pre-Spawn

The transition from ice-out to pre-spawn is a favorite time of the year for many bass anglers. Depending on location and the body of water, it could begin as early as the end of February or as late as April. Pay attention to weather trends.  A stretch of warm days is great, but warmer nights are even better when it comes to raising water temperatures and getting big fish moving. Look for drop-offs and points that lead directly from deep water to shallow water, as these are routes bigger fish take to move up the water column. 

Eventually, flats, grass, points, and coves with abundant cover will attract fish that are moving shallow to feed and eventually spawn. A favorite bait at this time is the jig, as bass forage on crawfish coming out of their winter burrows. Jerkbaits, chatterbaits, and even big swimbaits are all effective. Match your patterns to the prevalent big bait, which might be yellow perch, herring, or golden shiners. 

Spawning Season

The spawn usually begins in late April or May on most Northeast waters. If you target spawning fish, be sure to handle them with care and release them right back to their beds. Bass spawn on large flats, points, and around all kinds of structure.

Largemouth tend to spawn in shallower coves and further up creeks, while smallmouth prefer slightly deeper water around points and main lake shorelines. Often, when you find a smallmouth on a bed, there are others nearby. Not all bass are oriented to spawning areas, though, and it can be very rewarding to catch quality bass that are not on beds. Target these fish by looking for baitfish in deeper water. Try minnow presentations, like a jighead with a 2- to 3-inch swimmer, or even a topwater when you know you’re casting over bait.

Post-Spawn

Post-spawn summer patterns are a favorite for many Northeast anglers. You can catch bass with almost any presentation or bait you prefer. This time of year offers a ton of fun on topwater, especially during low-light hours. When it gets hot midsummer, fish deep. Lakes with deeper rock piles and grass can produce excellent offshore fishing for both smallmouth and largemouth. Use electronics or lake mapping to find humps and high spots in main lake areas.

It’s hard to beat a jig or dropshot in these situations, and going heavier will keep you connected to the bottom. Focus on natural colors in the summer, like green pumpkin or black and blue. 

Fall Transition

After the stability of summer, major changes come with the transition to fall. Shifting weather patterns and dropping water temperatures reward versatile anglers who pay attention to fish behavior. Bass of all sizes move to new areas to feed before settling into winter holding areas. Find areas with abundant forage and the bass will be nearby. Blustery days can concentrate forage and spark feeding activity on windblown points and shorelines.

Bottom baits, moving baits, and topwaters all have potential, so be prepared to experiment and change tactics. In early fall, a string of colder nights push big fish to feed. By late fall and early winter, it’s often a string of warmer days that cause bass to become more active. 

Related Content

Scale Down for Winter Largemouth

Early Spring Largemouth in Small Ponds

Summertime Strategies for Big Largemouth Bass

Finesse Bass Fishing in the Fall

Source: https://onthewater.com/breaking-down-the-bass-fishing-seasons

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