Understanding the "Post Spawn"
Understanding the "Post-Spawn" Period for Smallmouth Bass in River Systems- Best Baits To Consider
🐟What will the “Post Spawn” Smallmouth do now?
✨What two types of behaviors will present in “Post Spawn” ?
🎣How can we target both Male and Female Smallmouth effectively during this time frame?
It would seem pretty easy to understand what the “post spawn” is but the simplistic view is to simply see it as nothing more than the period after bass make nests and fertilize eggs.
While Post-spawn naturally refers to the period following the completion of the spawning process in Smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieu). This phase is also crucial in the life cycle of Smallmouth and Smallmouth populations and involves significant behavioral and physiological changes as the fish recover from the rigors of spawning and prepare for the summer season.
Many of us choose not to target Smallmouth during the spawn so the “post spawn” period may be the first time some anglers have had to target Smallies in four or five weeks on river systems.
But lets first start with what just happened………
Spawning Process Overview (simplified)
Spawning Season:
Typically occurs in spring when water temperatures reach around 60°F to 70°F (15°C to 21°C).
Males established and guarded nests in shallow, gravelly or rocky areas of rivers.
Nesting:
Males clear a nest and court females.
Females lay eggs, which males fertilize and then guard until they hatch.
Spawning can be energetically taxing, especially for males who guard the nests. Males become highly agitated and aggressive in this phase.
Now what………
Post-Spawn Period
Definition:
The post-spawn period begins immediately after the eggs hatch and the fry leave the nest. This period can last several weeks as the fish transition to different behaviors and habitats.
Post-Spawn Behavior and Habitat Use
Important to note: The entire river will not be in post spawn at the same time. You will encounter both spawning and post spawning Smallies as bass do not all spawn at the same time. In fact some bass may even spawn twice.
Understanding the following will then set up the proper targeting strategies…..
Migration to New Habitats:
Depth Migration: After spawning, Smallmouth typically move from the shallow spawning grounds to deeper parts of the river. This movement is driven by the need for stable conditions and abundant food sources.
Moderate Current Areas: They prefer areas with moderate to slow currents, such as pools, eddies, and areas behind structures (e.g., boulders, logs), which provide both resting spots and feeding opportunities.
Feeding Behavior:
Energy Recovery: The primary focus during the post-spawn period is on feeding to replenish the energy reserves depleted during spawning.
Increased Activity: They become more active and aggressively feed on readily available prey such as crayfish, small fish, and aquatic insects. This period sees a spike in their feeding activity, making them more visible and catchable.
Habitat Preferences:
Cover and Structure: Post-spawn Smallmouth seek out habitats with ample cover, including submerged vegetation, rock piles, and woody debris. These structures offer protection from predators and serve as effective ambush points for feeding.
Temperature: They prefer water temperatures between 15°C and 22°C (59°F to 72°F). As summer approaches, they adjust their habitat use to stay within these optimal temperature ranges.
Social Behavior:
Reduced Territoriality: The aggressive territorial behavior seen during the spawn diminishes post-spawn. Males, no longer guarding nests, become less aggressive on balance but will roam the shallows and middle river now that guarding is complete.
Solitary or Loose Grouping: While Smallmouth Bass are generally solitary, post-spawn feeding can lead to loose aggregations, especially in areas with abundant prey. I call these “pods” where you will see grouping of three to five usually smaller “teens” in size as compared to the bigger adults.
Metabolic and Physiological Changes
Increased Metabolism:
Energy Replenishment: Post-spawn, Smallmouth have an elevated metabolic rate to support rapid recovery. This increased metabolism drives their heightened feeding activity. Think of it as nothing more than a “hunger phase”.
Physical Recovery:
Rest and Recuperation: The post-spawn period is a time for physical recovery from the physical exertion and potential injuries sustained during spawning.
Health and Condition: Ensuring they regain condition and health is crucial for survival and preparing for the less favorable conditions of late summer and fall.
Smallies will either be in recovery mode OR have completed recovery during the post spawn phase heading into mid summer.
Movement Patterns in River Systems
Smallies (Females) often will remain within close proximity to spawning areas directly after spawn in many instances as they are often too weak to roam. Males are still actively guarding while females gain strength. This period is one of recovery and protection for the females so they will often attempt to locate nearby structure which will not only offer potential food resources from forage species but also protection as they regain strength. The can rest but then also ambush for recovery meals.
Upstream and Downstream Movement:
Search for Optimal Habitats: Smallmouth may move both upstream and downstream to find habitats that offer optimal conditions for feeding and recovery. This is something I have been pushing for years now but many still seem unwilling to accept. Many still believe that Smallies do not move and remain in sections of the river throughout but this is simply not what I have witnessed over the years. Until tagging programs intensify and tracking programs provide the data many will likely maintain said views but it is not strange to see Smallies move anywhere from 8-12 miles in a river system during transitions throughout the year.
Stable Areas: They avoid areas with extreme fluctuations in water levels and flow, favoring stable sections of the river. This is a bit controversial as well because we witness many smallies migrate to dams. Most likely for food resources and replenishment from easy access to forage in these areas. Locate structure in close proximity to spawning areas first as these will be the first staging points for the females post spawn.
Seasonal Transitions:
Spring to Summer Shift: The post-spawn period marks the transition from spring spawning behaviors to summer feeding and growth patterns.
Localized Movements: Movements during this period are more localized compared to the extensive migrations seen during the spawning season.
So…..
The post-spawn period for Smallmouth Bass in river systems is a critical phase characterized by migration to deeper, stable habitats with ample cover and food. Their behavior shifts to aggressive feeding to recover from the spawning process, and they exhibit increased activity levels. Understanding these patterns helps provide valuable insights for anglers targeting Smallmouth during this dynamic period.
But HOW……
Again one must first determine which bass they are targeting in terms of which stage of recovery they are in.
Targeting those that have recovered will be utilizing bait presentations like topwater and middle depth search baits. Those that still have not recovered are far less likely to chase any moving baits at this point in the cycle. The males will not be enticed to move off beds to track down moving baits and actually one of the best tips that can be given is to slow everything down for the males and make sure they get a good look at your presentation close enough to them that they feel its warranted to slap at it to move it away even if they are not intending to eat.
Advice……..
Start with Finesse….
A few ideas…..
Paddletail Swimbaits can be highly effective during this period in both instances and fished finesse style to target both the recovered bass and those still recovering for a dual approach along with finesse tubes and jigs that remain contact with bottom composition worked slowly. Present an easier meal for both the females but also the opportunistic males if you present nearby beds. Wacky presentations also come into play here. Go finesse with the jigs. Smaller profiles=easy meals.
Daiwa Young Shad-
Rapala CrushCity Mayor - ** watch for new releases and new lines at ICAST 2024 from Rapala
Other options or variations? Take a look at DEPS for great options:
Deps Death Adder—-
Soft plastic presentations that mirror Crayfish, Goby, Hellgrammite, Shiner or Shad, Minnow in the form of tubes, creature or minnow split tail or boot are certainly one of the most effective means of increasing catch rates during this time for recovering bass.
Floating a Jerkbait or Fluke is another easy way to entice recovering females that are just starting to feed again after spawn. Letting these simply move naturally with the flow or current or in shallower areas simply popped slower is an attractive opportunity.
Recovered bass (especially males) will be inclined to hit topwater once they have restored enough energy to chase. This will be where cadence in your retrieves are vital and varying them to dial in the right one is essential if you are going to get bites. This is where anglers have a depth of baits they can use.
It is almost as if you can transition back to early Spring with Spinnerbaits around cover and structure, Bladed Jigs (Chatters), Lipless Crankbaits and again Swimbaits. I prefer my trusty underspins to cover a ton of water with varying retrieve rates changing up the blades to change the flash to coincide with weather patterns.
Another method that gets slept on during this is the buzzbait. When the males are done guarding they will be more apt to roam and chase and the buzzbait because of its noise and action can drawn the males.
A few of the baits we will be providing to our Premium Subscriber will do nicely here:
Some of the best baits right now !!
For plastics consider these:
Xcite Baits- Minnobi
6th Sense Fishing- Flush
Megabass- Hazedon
O.S.P- Drive Craw (2 inch +)
O.S.P. Do Live Shot:
Jackall - WAM WAM
Evergreen Bass Enemy Stick
We will also be featuring many of these baits in our SUBSCRIPTION BOX that our Premium Subscribers will get a discount towards this summer. If you would like to be included and be part of our “demo crew” be sure to shoot us an email so you can get a pre launch demo box.
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