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As Winter and Spring approaches it is the time for “spawning” or “bed” fishing. Depending upon where you live the time is upon us or rapidly approaching. This is the time many bass fisherman who have developed the techniques for catching spawning bass get excited about. Especially for those who have developed the art of “sight fishing” for bedding bass.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThMHGusqYYA For the novice angler this can also be a great time. Once you have found an area holding spawning bass you odds of catching that lunker bass will increase dramatically. If your new to catching bass in the spawning season or an experienced angler looking to further develop your technique continue reading this series. Hopefully I will be able to give enough pointers to increase your catch every weekend. 
According to the Oxford dictionary the term “spawn” is “to release or deposit eggs” that is exactly what largemouth bass do. I wish it was that easy!
When the water temperature reaches in the low to mid sixties it is time for our finny friends seek the shallows for places to spawn. While there are several other factors which effect the spawn water temperature is the most critical for the spawn to begin. As the moon phase is at or near the full moon phase the male (buck) bass will head to shallow spawning grounds to begin the “bed” preparation. Stable water conditions also play an important role for the active spawn. Clear, high, stable water conditions go a long way to promote the mating behavior. Generally speaking higher water levels help in the spawn. With high lake water levels the bass are able to seek refuge in and around cover in shallower water to build the nest’s. Bass prefer some type of structure or cover adjacent to their beds so other predators will find it difficult to attack the bed or young fry once hatched.
Largemouth bass will typically begin the spawning phase of their lives when they are around a year old and at least 10 inches long. The male bass elects the the nesting site. As mentioned above the water temperature to really spark the spawning season needs to be in the low to mid sixties. However depending upon where you live the bass have acclimated themselves to the different temperatures in various regions in which they live. In fact as long as the water temperature has stabilized above the 60 degree mark bass will typically begin spawn. The optimum water temperature ranges from 65 to 75 degrees F, thus extending the spawning season in various parts of the country. The water depth for spawning bass is typically in the 1 to 4 foot range in near shore waters.
While nothing is typical for our finned friends they have been observed bedding in 20 feet plus water depths in extremely clear bodies of water. The male bass constructs a shallow circular “nest” by cleaning out or sweeping (fanning) out with his tail any debris and loose matter. Hard, sandy or gravel bottoms with cover nearby are preferred. When searching for bedding areas, always and I mean always look for a hard bottom. The male bass also guards the nest to keep out predators, typically guarding an area of approx. 6 feet in diameter. If you have found a good spot for spawning bass there will likely be additional beds in the area but not right next to each other, bass want their space. If y0u find one bed odds are more beds are in the same general location.
Once the bed or nest is complete the male bass will patrol the area in search of a willing female participant. Once a willing female is found the ritual begins. The bass will slowly circle the nest side by side to each other. The actual spawning occurs when both fish tilt laterally releasing eggs and sperm at the same time. It is not uncommon for male bass to spawn with multiple females. The female bass typically releases one-half of their eggs during
the first spawn and the other half during a second spawn. An additional third spawn is likely about a month later. Since not all bass spawn at the same time and there can be additional spawns for each female bass the spawn season may last for several months depending upon the water conditions and region in which the spawn occurs.
Male bass continue their house keeping duties of cleaning and guarding the bed. Keeping predators away is a full time job for the spawning male. If the spawn is successful the eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days again depending on the region water temp. and water. The male will continue guarding the fry until they young largemouth part from the nest, usually in about 2 weeks.
As the spawning season comes to a close the males and female tend to disperse to their favorite play grounds relieved the whole process is over. This can also be a great time for finding and catching hungry post spawn bass,; typically in schools chasing their favorite food.
I hope you now have a better understanding of the bass spawning process. In the articles to follow we will explore finding and catching the Spawning Largemouth Bass.
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