River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Spawn

River fishing is a growing section of the bass fishing world, yet not much has been written about targeting largemouth bass in rivers.  Traditionally, largemouth bass were seen as fish that you catch in reservoirs and lakes, but rivers can be some of the most productive waters around (if you can find the bass.)  So how do you target largemouth bass in a river?  Here is a detailed breakdown for catching largemouth bass in the river.

Continuing in this series from the Pre-Spawn Patterns, we will continue the spring river fishing.  River fishing for largemouth bass in the springs breaks down into three periods, which we will tackle one at a time.  The Pre-Spawn, the Spawn, and the Post Spawn.  These three spring stages can take place at different times from one body of water to the next, and can even occur at different time on the same body of water (different bass in different stages of the spawn at the same time.)

SPAWN

When are they Spawning?

I would first like to note, that even if some fish are spawning in your river, there are still probably bass in the Pre-Spawn stage, and some probably in the Post-Spawn stage as well.

The second stage in river bass spring fishing is the spawn.  In rivers, just as in lakes, the spawn period can stretch out over a short time, with different bass spawning at different times.  However, I have typically found river bass to be a little more consistent with their time-frames.  In my opinion, moon phase has as much to do with the spawn of river bass as the weather/water temperature does.  A full moon and warm weather means that some fish will begin to spawn.

In lakes, it is typical for largemouth bass to begin spawning when the water temperature is around 62 degrees, it is generally the same for rivers.  But what about rivers that remain a consistent temperature, or never really cool below that level?  The length of the day and the moon phase will be the trigger for river bass to begin spawning.  As the days continue to get longer, and warmer, the bass will move from the Pre-Spawn stage into the spawn.  They will move out of the first shallow cover into spawning areas.  In Texas, this could possibly be February, March, or April, (sometimes even May); but up north, the spawn period might not start until May or June.  The spawn will really kick into gear when the moon is full, especially on clear sky nights.  But, a real cold snap can send them back into their pre-spawn or winter patterns for a short time.  Consistent warm weather and constant water levels can also be important to when the bass spawn in rivers.

Just like in lakes, the big-dog female bass are typically the first to spawn in a river, so a warm late winter and  early spring are great times to catch big bass.  But, fishing the spawn in a river can be difficult.  There are many factors that go into finding the fish, and the presentations to catch them.  The spawn in a river is different than that in a lake or a reservoir.

Location

Now that you have established roughly when the spawn will be occurring  you need to figure out where these bass are going to spawn.  THIS IS THE MOST DIFFICULT PART of fishing the spawn in a river.  During the Pre-Spawn, bass will be actively hunting in and around medium to shallow depth cover.  Basically, you just find a place of shallow cover that looks "bassy", and fish it.  This typically makes the bass easy to find and catch.  But, once the water warms up enough, or the moon is full in the sky, and the fish are ready to spawn, where do they go?

Well, where a bass is going to spawn in a river really depends on two factors; water level and clarity.

Water level is important during the spawn.  Springtime can often bring heavy rains and high water.  These high water times usually bring strong currents.  During springs with high water, look for bass to spawn in newly flooded areas.  The fish will be in the backs of creeks and coves, or stacked tightly against the bank to spawn.  Another great place to find bass spawning in high water is on the downstream side of a sand or gravel bar.  These provide great current breaks and shallow, often clear, water for the bass to spawn in.  Somewhere shallow and out of the strong current is where you need to fish.

High water is also when clarity becomes a big factor.  With high water and stronger currents, the water is often not as clear as normal.  Bass will spawn in clear water, if they can find it, so focus your fishing in areas with the cleanest water that you can find.

In years where water level is normal or low, you are still looking for areas that are out of the current.  Without newly flooded shallow areas, you again want to key on the back side of sand bars or cuts and eddies that are out of the main current.  Another great location to find spawning bass in normal current is an area that has boulders or timber, that can block the current.

Presentation

Your presentation for spawning river bass is similar to your presentation in a lake, with one big addition.  Topwater can be the most effective presentation for spawning river bass.  I prefer to throw loud, obnoxious topwater lures, to spawning river bass.  A loud popper can often be "the bait" to throw.  Cast it as tight to the bank as you can, with a loud splash, and just let it sit in place for a long time.  Then shake it a little, just to create ripples on the water.  Then wait, then pop it hard and repeat.  Prop baits and buzzbaits can also be great springtime presentations if the bass want something that is a little more "active."

You can often fish your topwater lures all day long on the river.  Fish them in high water, normal water, and low water.  Fish them up tight against the bank, over and around sand bars, or boulder and stump fields, or over newly flooded areas.  Fish them anywhere the bass should be this time of year.

If the topwater bite turns off, traditional "spawning bass" presentations will work.  Weightless soft plastics, such as senkos, can be dynamite, Texas rigged soft plastic lizards, or sunfish imitators (such as shallow crankbaits or swimming jigs) will be my go to lures.  I will usually fish everything pretty slow this time of year.

Fishing the spawn on a river can be difficult, especially finding the fish.  But, stick with it because the spawn is the time to catch a pig!


Related Articles:
River Fishing For Largemouth Bass - Pre-Spawn
River Fishing For Largemouth Bass - Winter (Presentation)