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bronzeback6
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 716
Location: Bridgman, MI
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 Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: Paw Paw Lake (May 14) |
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I went to Paw Paw again today with Ron Nelson to fish for more spawning channel fish. He taught me a couple new tricks to catch spawner and we had a blast. We caught 15 or so bucks but not any females. The males were solid 2.5-3.5 pound fish. I believe most of the females are deep because I only noticed one female sliding through a bed. The next full moon should light Paw Paw Lake up.
Justin |
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1javelin
GIANT SMALLIE!!!!
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 210
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Explain to me if you will how the moon plays into spawning and such, and when the females move up. I know it's determined by moon and water temperature, weather, etc... But how and when?
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bronzeback6
Site Admin
Joined: 22 Jan 2007
Posts: 716
Location: Bridgman, MI
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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I've noticed that there are usually 3 cycles of spawners (Largemouth) in lakes that have a quality bass population. The first cycle usually consists of the biggest bass in a given body of water. I will use Paw Paw Lake as an example. During the first full moon in late april or early may a few different movements take place. 4 days before the full moon males will start making nests (58-62 degree water) in back water areas. The moon seemingly calls the females into close proximity of the males nests (Just of the ledge below the nest). When the water temp is right (66-70) and the sun is bearing down, she will slide up. She will deposit her eggs and the male practically pushes her away from the bed. This is when the female is most catchable. The male then guards the nest/fry.
Well, that's just the first round of spawners. Depending on the water temp in given areas bass aren't ready to spawn on that full moon so they will wait until the next full moon. In Paw Paw Lake different areas of the lake light up at different times. I've caught spawners in Paw Paw as late as June 24th. There are always a couple bass that don't follow the rules and spawn in between moons but for the most part lakes light up close to full moons depending on the weather.
Smallies are an entirely different creature. In lakes that don't have a huge population like Magician/Paw Paw they spawn on the first full moon in may and they're done. But the BH stretch is crazy during the spawn. River smallies usually spawn first because the river is warmer. I start catching spawners in the river in early April. Throughout the spring, pods of huge lake smallies come in and spawn during full and new moons. I've caught spawners as late as July 4th on the river.
Basically, the moon starts the spawning process and lets the bass know when it's about the right time to spawn.
Justin |
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1javelin
GIANT SMALLIE!!!!
Joined: 20 Mar 2007
Posts: 210
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| Posted: Tue May 15, 2007 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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| thanks for the info Justin, now if I can just figure out some of the habits of some of those spawners and where they sit in the Joe. We found 2 productive stretches out there so far, and with the new moon tomorrow, they may be back on those stretches. So, if the rains and hail and thunderstorms hold off, maybe I will be going back to the joe for a bit in the morning and afternoon. PM sent.
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