THE BASS COLLEGE

The spawn is a highly regional event, taking place at different times during the year. In the extreme south (Florida, mostly) fish can be found spawning as early as December with late spawners starting in February. Further north (south Georgia to the Mason-Dixon), the spawn kicks off in April and goes through early June. Further north still, the spawn can start as late as June and go through late July. Regardless of when the spawn is in your area, one thing is certain: It's your best chance at a trophy fish.

Here's how a pro from each region tackles the spawn and wrangles big bass from their love nests.

Extreme South: Bobby Lane, Florida

Bobby Lane

The mild weather of the Sunshine State can be a boon to bassers fishing the spawn. Florida pro Bobby Lane counts on cold fronts to produce some of the best spawn-time fishing anywhere.

"We're fortunate in Florida that the fronts don't always make it this far South, but if they do, the times between are without a doubt the best times for an 8-plus-pound fish," he says. "If you schedule your trip where there's a full moon, and it's in between cold fronts, your chances of getting a 10-pound fish are about 95 percent.

"If that's not good enough, if you get a couple of hot days around a full moon, you're almost guaranteed several fish over 8 pounds if you're looking in the right areas."

When searching for these nest-guarding lunkers, Lane starts at the north end of the lake. He reasons that the water will be clearer as the north winds whip up the south end, making it harder for both fish and anglers to see. If he's fishing in a pocket, he fishes the sunny side first — it's warmer.

When approaching a bedding bass, Lane makes sure three requirements are satisfied: He's using 50- to 65-pound-test SpiderWire Ultracast braid, his bait is bulky and it's a natural color. Using this combo, he has won thousands of dollars in tournaments and weighed in a 9-8 lunker, all in less-than-optimal spawn periods.

His final piece of advice?

"Leave your finesse stuff at the house. If you hit it right, these are great big fish moving up. You don't need to be throwing wimpy baits or light line," he says. "If you're catching small fish, don't leave that area. Go check somewhere else, but always come back to that area. They might not be there in the morning, but they'll be there in the afternoon."

South: Mike McClelland, Arkansas

Mike McClelland

Mike McClelland agrees that the spawning season is your best bet for nabbing those elusive lunkers, but he also says that you may have a better shot at a trophy bass before its bed time.

"I truly believe the biggest fish are the first to spawn, so in my region late March to early April is your best shot at a monster. By the time most fish are on beds, the big ones are guarding fry," he says. "In this case, a buzzbait or a swimbait is the ticket."

McClelland favors War Eagle's black and blue buzzbaits and a Spro BBZ-1 soft swimbait. He sticks to the spawning areas but targets areas close to deeper water. The harder the bottom, the better. Pea gravel, big gravel or a mixture are best.

Since bass of the same size typically run together, if you're catching small fish, that's probably all you're going to get. He reiterates the fact that spawning areas adjacent to deep water are lunkers' preferred spawn-time haunts.

If you're a night owl, McClelland says a lot of the biggest fish are caught in the nighttime hours during the spawn. If you do head out at night, take dark-colored buzzbaits and big, dark Colorado blade spinnerbaits.

North: Bill Lowen, Ohio

Bill Lowen

"Typically, when I'm looking for trophy fish, I'm looking for places where the fish can stage — especially where the big ones hang out before the spawn. These are usually secondary points, deeper banks that lead to the spawning flats. The big ones stay out a little further," he says. "If neither of these work, look for fish that are actually on the bed."

When working secondary points prespawn, Lowen likes moving baits such as spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, swimming jigs and crankbaits. The fish that aren't actively spawning are feeding heavily in preparation for the spawn.

For bedding fish, Lowen goes for small-profile baits like a Gitzit tube or a finesse worm with a light weight. When bed fishing, Lowen opts for 15- to 20-pound Trilene fluorocarbon on a flipping stick. He likes to use his flipping stick year-round. He will let the mood of the spawner determine how long he tries for it.

"They'll either run off the bed if they're spooked or get in close to it to investigate. If their gills and fins start moving, they're excited and will bite; you can even watch 'em change color," he says. "If they're not active or are spooked the first time you try it, go back an hour or so later. You never know when she's going to light up."

Lowen goes on to say that lakes in his area have poor water clarity. He will get as close as he needs to investigate the fish's mood. He's been within a rod's length and successfully caught big bass.

No matter where you live, the spawn is your best shot at a wall-hanger bass. Pack your patience, do your homework and watch for the shadows in the shallows. The spawn is on!

Its on in the extreme south already but I cant wait for march and the first full and new moons of April here at home. Ive got my Red redeye shads,red chatterbaits and big swimbaits ready to go when they get in the mood. Senkos,tubes and beavers will put them to bed when they get sleepy! I can't wait Im counting down the days

           I`ve already got the some lakes mapped where they spawned last year.Hopefully this year the snakeheads do not invade one of the best spots on the Occoquan river again.It used to be the place for LMB`s and Stripers during the season.If they show this year I`ve got a big throw net for them.
             Cant wait till March.New gear,New reels and poles(mostly baitcasters ) and whole lot of cranks I painted.I`m ready.

Ya we ran into some snakeheads in little hunting creek on the Potomac 2 years ago. Nasty critters

whats the spawning timeframe for our delaware ponds/lakes?  I know temperature of the water is the contributing factor, but I've never once broke out a therm to see what the temp was in my spots.  I personally will be starting to hit the water as soon as all the ice breaks and there is decent open water, but just wondering when everyone starts off their spring season.  Early March?  And how much does everyone utilize the moon schedules?  Ever since I was a kid, my pops always ranted and raved about the timing of the full and half moons and to this day I dunno if it's just a bunch of hoopla or if others actually noticed increased activity.  thanks to all.

-mike

well to my north east fishing buddies - your going to have to wait a few weeks longer then ill have to wait  here in southcentral ky for your spring spawn fishing to start . whats crazy is I have alot of open water now available and what a good time it maybe for getting ready for the spring season -

Now Mike - Ive had many thoughts on the Lunar tables over the years but there has been alot of scientiifical information and research done regarding the lunar affects on fish and other wildlife - they do conclude that it has a large impact on the fish and wildlifes feeding and movement patterns - thus increasing your chances for sucess on the days outlined on the lunar table - Now Mike - do I really just use the Lunar table to decide whether not im going to fish on a particular day? No not really but very interesting to take a look at the table and see what the #'s are -  next Mike you take the info thats listed regarding the lunar cycles and now match that with your local weather patterns - finding the perfect scenario to increase your chances of that huge hawg - If your equipment choices are good , if your gameplan is laid out , the lunar table # 's are good , and the movements of weather fronts all come together = your success rate is off the chart - !!! Yes its nice to gather all this information to check for the days for a high sucess rate but when im going to go fishing Ive decided to go fishing no matter what the lunar table,weather man, or any one else for that fact of the matter has to say - isnt going to change my opinion - Well team lets hear some feed back - I know delaware bass will have all your lunar table info avail and updated for you all - so check them out - Get ready - cause the tight lines are coming

The Biggest bass spawn first generally.The first wave of bass go on when the water temp hits 62 to 64 degrees. Now this is a very small wave of fish it just so happens that alot of times it includes some of the biggest bass in the pond. In most places bass don't spawn at that low of a temp but year after year I've seenit on our ponds. I'm not sure if its  because of a lack of spawnig areas in these small lakes or what but they do it.Most times if the water is near this temp when there is a new or full moon they move in. The Major wave of fish go in to bed when the  water hits anywhere from 69 to 73 degrees again generally near a full or new moon and then just like there was an early group of spawners you will have a late group go on generally some time in mid may. Anytime your on the water from say april 10th to May 20th theres a good bet a bass is on its bed somewhere in the pond. In your clear ponds the big bass will spawn in water as deep as 6ft and in muddy water theyll do it in 6inches with there backs almostt out of the water. 

          Thanks for the info guys.Our weather here in Va has got a little strange for this time of year,with all the snow we`ve gotten over the past week.I`m hopin it doesnt mess up the pecking order.I`m so ready to go fishing it`s killin me.
           I`ve got friends coming from three different states for striper,lmb and big kitties fishing in May.Were going to hit the northside of the Potomac and take a run down the Rappahanic river for a solid week.Maybe tag a few lakes inbetween.LOL
          Sometime this spring I want to hit the James river for a weekend or two.I really want one of those monster cats they have there.
           I`m mapped and ready for the lakes here.To a point,some better than others.