Need a critique from you bass guys!

[leaky]

The subject was worded to get help! Just got back from the Gorge fishing for smallies and just could have reported a fishing report but would appreciate some help/comments. Went to the Confluence pm 15 June. Thundershowers and breezy. Yesterday was best day but got windy in pm. Today wind started at about 8 am with wind 25-35 mph all day. Day temps. 75-80 F. Water temp. 58.3 F. Caught a lot of dinks, mostly from shore. No fish in my favorite spots. All seemed to be at the mouth of bays(north side) or along the shore line. Nothing visual from shore. Carp not spawning. Previous month (or more) 10-20 F cooler than normal. Water pretty high and rising.
The Gorge is our most favorite spot for us and smallies but we figure the best chance for us tube guys is pre spawn, spawn and early post spawn. Would be happy to go other times but don't know any spots for us tubers. It's our favorite because we can get out in remote areas (no people), no bugs, enjoy the wildlife, and let the dogs just go crazy with happiness along with great fishing.
Today, I got desperate and went out in my tube in the winds with my fish finder. Got blown offin just a few hours, these old legs along with 2-3ft waves just took it out of me. What I did find though was there were schools in about 8-12ft of water just hanging around weed/vegitation clumps and they were larger. Kept 3 before I quit with one break off. 2 of the 3 had eggs where the others caught from shore had none.
For the last umpteen years I have tried ti figure out what stage the smallies were in but just came away !!!!!! My theory this time. - They were still in the staging mode. Also with rising water their beds kept getting deep and they had to start over, with multiple spawning in the future? Is there some way to accurately tell what stage they are in by examining the fish or what? Am going to take another shot next week with higher temps forcasted and hopefully lighter winds.
Leaky

[PREDATOR]

I am not expert there youngster, but I think that the answer to your question is that spawns are just what you found. Confusing.

Not all fish will spawn at the same time, some fish may be done spawning before others start. weather like we have been having can make it even harder to understand.

If bass get ready to spawn, and then we get an extreme cold front like we did last week with several inches of snow on the ground and water temps dropping 15 degrees, fish may not spawn at all, the may absorb thier eggs an just go into a funk for a while. (just for you guys who get excitied, I am not saying this did happen, just that it has happened and could). Or it could delay a spawn.

You know, lots of guys like to tell you what stage the spawn is in by signs on the fish. Red, sore tails from fanning the bottom to form beds, big bulging bellies with sore red rings around the egg releasing area, fish in the shallows guarding beds, ect.

Its a confusing thing. If you fish one water multiple times a week, you may get an idea for what is going on. You may notice fish movements, and conditions as they change and that would give you an indication of the stage, but for most of us who fish different waters all the time, it can be hard to guess what the fish are doing just by catching one. looking at it, and fishing somewhere else the next week.

Its all a guessing game.

I will send you a pm about what I think is going on at one of your favorite lakes and see if you can see the same things.
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[tomegun]

We had a tournament up there a few weeks ago this is what I've dicsovered.

Some males have already setup beds with females dropping eggs. Others haven't move up do to daily weather changing patterns. I saw three different patterns in 3 straight bdays.

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[maniac]

I would have to agree with Predator on this one. There has been colder and much wetter weather, this year. The bass just get into making beds and spawning, and another cold wet spell hits, wich will push them off of the beds and gives them lock jaw. Plus with the fast rising water, the fish make thier beds and before they spawn. the bed that was in a couple feet of water is now in ten feet or more. The bass need good consistant warming trends to put on a good feed. Right now it looks like the weather may start to be in that warming trend. And if that is the case then the catching should continue to improve. Just my two cents!
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[UTBASS]

Full Moon ... Coming Up!

After this next full moon .. they will be on beds. the water temp is just about right. As for the water levels, if they keep moving up or down they will spawn but in deeper areas where there is no risk of killing the eggs. Smart fish ... that's why I like them!
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