We All Know It: Post-Spawn Fishing Can Be Tough, And That's Putting It Mildly

As pointed out multiple times by DWR Virginia regional fisheries biologist Chad Boyce (right), "There is really not a single spawn that takes place in the spring. Bass will spawn generally throughout the summer, and it's not unusual at all to see fish on beds in June.

"However, individual bass do not spawn multiple times each year. Rather, there are fish that will wait and spawn after the main spawn takes place.

"Fish with bloody tails don't always signify spawning activity. It could mean they were on a substrate that was rough and caused abrasions on their tails. It's really hard to say for sure, but I often do see tails roughed up throughout the summer time," concluded Boyce.

Facts like these lead researchers to urge anglers who wet a line in the spring to understand they may often be fishing pre-spawn, bed fish, and post-spawn fish...all at the same time...which can make for some tough fishing conditions. That's why many experts suggest a variety of tactics for putting fish in the boat during this period.

Among their recommendations are to use reaction baits, such as bigger crankbaits (don't have to be tight-wobblers, either) and lipless crankbaits, which cover water quickly and can help eliminate unproductive areas. They also can help you pick up better fish--because when they do decide to eat, they are more likely to go after a better meal.

A swimbait also is a good reaction bait for post-spawn bass, especially those big females that have just moved off and are sitting on flats or small points. The experts advise against jerking when you feel a fish hit. Instead, they suggest just increasing your cranking speed and turning to the side with your rod...also good for cruisers you see in shallow water. You have a good chance of catching those fish when you're covering water. Another benefit of using a reaction bait is that accuracy is not as crucial as it is when targeting fish locked on beds.

A jerkbait is another good reaction bait to try, since shad are more active this time of year, and the bass chase them. You can fish these baits faster this time of year. A general rule of thumb is "the warmer the water, the smaller and faster the jerkbait." Mono or fluorocarbon line is recommended for use with these reaction baits.

Topwater baits, especially poppers, also are a good bet for post-spawn bass, since the males will be hanging around to protect the babies and won't hesitate to attack anything that threatens them. Another reason to use topwaters is that, while the big females likely will have moved out and suspended, they often will rise up and go after one of these baits, provided it's worked ever so s-l-o-o-o-w-l-y. If you see a fish following the bait but won't commit, make another cast with the same bait, or put a front runner about 18 inches in front of your topwater bait.

When setting the hook on a topwater bait, ignore those who would tell you to wait 'til you feel the fish, because you then run the risk of the fish swallowing the bait. Instead, set the hook as soon you think a fish has the bait.

Post-spawn fish are in recovery mode, so something like a finesse bait is easy for them to take. While a 6-inch plastic may have served you well during the spawn, the experts encourage you to downsize to a three- or four-inch plastic for the post-spawn. Then look for areas with 4 or 5 feet of water, with nearby access to greater depths, where they are likely to suspend.

A small shad-shaped worm or a little Senko will do the trick, especially in colors that look like bluegills or even bass fry. What you have to remember is that everything is in slow motion, so you have to tease them by dead-sticking or moving the bait very slowly. Use of light line (6- to 8-pound test) on a spinning rod with a fast tip will enhance your chances of catching fish.

Points are good places to start looking, but it's not unusual for these fish to set up on the sides of points, rather than on the tops, and usually a little ways out. Cast across the points a lot before moving on--from different angles and at a large range of depths. The fish can be all over a point in various stages of recuperation and transition.

Drag the bait very slowly with the rod, and watch the line. If it stops or goes slack, especially on the fall, pull up. The key is to discover how far out or how far into shore they are. Since they can be very far offshore post-spawn, rigging your bait on a dropshot, with a shorter leader (like 6 to 12 inches) can be a good idea. The same thing goes with a split-shot rig. Covering different depths and different angles is key, and don't neglect fishing uphill either. You may be able to sit up shallow on a good point and literally catch one fish after another by just fan-casting the point.

It's a well-established fact that post-spawn has a bad reputation as a super tough time to catch fish, but if you remember that the fish are spread out everywhere, in all different stages of the spawn, you can use a variety of tactics to find and catch them. Go with what you know usually works for you, and if that's not working, then try some of the techniques outlined here by the experts. You might be pleasantly surprised by the results.