More pre-Spawn and post Spawn mapping

Flyswatter · March 18, 2013, 12:36:13 PM

I have attached 5 areas that I think could be great places to fish. Some like Zone 1 and 4 have a channel swing around a point that is close to a shallow pocket. Others don't define channel swings but offer deep water to shallow water access for the spawn. Thought I'd share these with you to get the idea. Heck, I may be missing more places to fish pre-spawn feel free to add. Conversely, these areas can be used for post spawn for the big females to rest in deeper water.

The rust/brownish lines are creek beds/channels (highways for the the shad/bass migration).

ND2020 · March 18, 2013, 10:58:54 PM

Not trying to hijack your thread, but do you mind if I ask where you all are pulling these maps from?

TheLastRodBender · March 19, 2013, 06:32:01 AM

I'd also be looking at the southern tip of that little island, right where it says "emergent vegetation."

Crayfish spawn in grass, so it's going to have a constant food source, you've got sun the majority of the day, and it looks like there's a little hump in the middle, causing a little pocket between the island and the hump.

Flyswatter · March 19, 2013, 07:36:00 AM

Quote from: ND2020 on March 18, 2013, 10:58:54 PM
Not trying to hijack your thread, but do you mind if I ask where you all are pulling these maps from?

There is a keyboard command on my Mac that allows me to copy as much of the screen I need. I open up my "Preview" program and select "Copy from Clip Board" that opens the contents that I copied. I then save as a jpeg file. Maps that I share here are from my Navionics PC App program for their Southern Region lake maps. Then I print out these mapped areas and take to the lake for my reference.

Mike Cork · March 19, 2013, 08:57:49 AM

Fly I've talk with you on this one some but we didn't discuss other possibilities. TLRB post got me to digging. While his suggestion is definitely worth looking at, there is a guaranteed spot on this map. That will be overlooked by most as a spawning area.

TheLastRodBender · March 19, 2013, 10:18:51 AM

Quote from: Mike Cork on March 19, 2013, 08:57:49 AM
Fly I've talk with you on this one some but we didn't discuss other possibilities. TLRB post got me to digging. While his suggestion is definitely worth looking at, there is a guaranteed spot on this map. That will be overlooked by most as a spawning area.

the hump on the top dead center of the map, that the creek channel runs right next go... looks like it comes up pretty good, deep flats on either side, and a channel runs right along side.

-Shawn- · March 19, 2013, 10:43:29 AM

The roadbed on the north end of this map is a Guaratee...........

Depending on water Clarity their could be some deep bedding areas too oround that Hump....... But that Roadbed is a guarantee.

-Shawn- · March 19, 2013, 10:49:58 AM

The Submerged Culvert on the Creekbed/roadbed to the east is a guarantee staging area and will hold both pre and postspawn fish. It is the last Deeper structure as the move up.

The other thing I would look at is the Little island at the bottom......... There is a spawning flat on the Southwest side.

Mike Cork · March 19, 2013, 10:58:45 AM

Quote from: -Shawn- on March 19, 2013, 10:49:58 AM
The Submerged Culvert on the Creekbed/roadbed to the east is a guarantee staging area and will hold both pre and postspawn fish. It is the last Deeper structure as the move up.

The other thing I would look at is the Little island at the bottom......... There is a spawning flat on the Southwest side.

Bass will live on this island year round. Big Bass will enjoy it because there is no major migration. Food will come to them year round. The only thing that would make it better is bream, something to hold bream. If it has grass and brush or timber it's lights out.

Flyswatter · March 19, 2013, 11:02:56 AM

To my newer way of thinking what's being detailed are higher probability areas to catch fish. Mark them and go to them instead of waisting time beating the bank to get there. That's at least how I was recently taught per my new approach. Saving time is equals efficiency. Guys, would you agree with this thought process?

Mike, I'm all eyes per your spawning location....

Do share. Also, like the other comments too. More circles more locations.

-Shawn- · March 19, 2013, 11:12:52 AM

That Island really is a Honey hole. Year round migration would be very short.......... Winter/summer Northside......... Spring fall South side.....

It's Scary but Mike and I think alot alike when it comes to looking at Maps and I have noticed we tend to find the same fish in a Tourney too.

Efficiancy is Key, especially when breaking down a new lake...... if you go with these high percentage targets already marked on your unit, you will be able to find and break down a pattern fairly quickly.

Bobby Saffel · March 19, 2013, 11:41:46 AM

Keep it coming Shawn and Mike. I have noticed on some of my local lakes (caddo and toledo) do not have all the boat roads marked and only have detailed contour lines in sections of the lake. Wish they could fill in the gaps.

Flyswatter · March 19, 2013, 12:56:15 PM

the long skinny Island on the right hand side of my map (east side)?

-Shawn- · March 19, 2013, 01:22:31 PM

Quote from: Flyswatter on March 19, 2013, 12:56:15 PM
the long skinny Island on the right hand side of my map (east side)?

No, the small island center/bottom..

Flyswatter · March 20, 2013, 07:48:19 AM

After re-reading this topic all great posts and comments..... My waking eyes better appreciate locational comments.

Great stuff for all to learn. The one I missed was the bottom Island per Mike and Shawn's comments. Glad I did because I learned something new.

It's easy to get caught up targeting specifics (bass) but my goal is looking at the size of the map (Reservoir) and eliminating water. I can't tell you how many times in the past I would get on a body of water with no game plan. That approach becomes ominous because of all the fishing pressure and the size of reservoirs. If there is one thing I have learned in the last six months map planning is centric to catching more Bass . Also, understand bass are predators and shad are forage (their food source).

Fortunately, my lake has lots of shad.

Going forward:

1. Follow the food source (Shad)
2. Understand their migration routes (to their photo plankton super table)
3. Target those areas because Bass will be close by
4. Understand the four seasons, stabilized water and oxygen levels

Lots to learn, I'm a slowly learner but making progress. Thanks to Mike, Shawn and others here on Ultimate Bass. What a great resource.... Spread the Ultimate Bass word this place rocks!

Bobby Saffel · March 20, 2013, 09:06:17 AM

I think a little crash courses on what the 3 main types of bait (bream,shad, crawfish) are doing throughout the year would be so helpful. Maybe I could start another thread on this topic to get more information.

Flyswatter · March 20, 2013, 10:34:54 AM

Quote from: Bobby Saffel on March 20, 2013, 09:06:17 AM
I think a little crash courses on what the 3 main types of bait (bream,shad, crawfish) are doing throughout the year would be so helpful. Maybe I could start another thread on this topic to get more information.

Bobby, that is a great idea!!!! I'm all in and ready to join in to learn.

Bobby Saffel · March 20, 2013, 12:48:11 PM

Quote from: Flyswatter on March 20, 2013, 10:34:54 AM
Bobby, that would a great idea!!!! I'm all in and ready to join in to learn.

Fly I started another thread on this topic. I haven't got any hits yet, but I believe they will help all of us out. A smart man once told me you have have bait without bass, but you won't have bass without bait. Makes sense because they don't have anything else to do but sit around and eat

Champriderz · March 20, 2013, 06:16:19 PM

How about timing of the spawn? I would think the very first wave would be in holes 3 & 4. they are isolated somewhat from the lake water so they should warm up first. There might not be many there depending on suitable bottom and cover but sometimes the first ones are full grown.

I agree on the other areas mentioned but I don't think anyone has mentioned the upper right hand of the map but it would appear there is a protected area behind those strips of land and if it is protected I would be sure to give it a look, it's a big area but when the known popular spawning grounds get pressured there are usually some scattered spawning beds on big flats that are overlooked and that can be a sweet deal when you find one and others don't.

-Shawn- · March 21, 2013, 10:11:15 AM

Timing Is usuallly Proctected North Cove banks first then Progresses out to the mainlake coves and Finally there will be fish that Spawn on Ridges out in the main lake if the Visibuility is there.

I have seen fish Spawn on Mainlake ridges in 15 ft of water 1/4 mile from the nearest Bank.

Bobby Saffel · March 21, 2013, 10:16:57 AM

Quote from: -Shawn- on March 21, 2013, 10:11:15 AM
Timing Is usuallly Proctected North Cove banks first then Progresses out to the mainlake coves and Finally there will be fish that Spawn on Ridges out in the main lake if the Visibuility is there.

I have seen fish Spawn on Mainlake ridges in 15 ft of water 1/4 mile from the nearest Bank.

Shawn, you mentioned visibility, what you consider good visibility for spawn on ridges? And do you use the same amount of visibility for determining good spawning coves close to the bank?

-Shawn- · March 21, 2013, 11:25:15 AM

The Fish are Going to Spawn No matter what the Vis...... there just has to be enough Light penetration to hatch the eggs........

If I am going to even think about Bed Fishing I want 3 foot Minumum....

Now on the ridges it just Depends on how deep they are........ I have Bed fished on Amistad in 18-20 foot when there was Zero wind. It can be Bathtub Clear. Then you have water with 4 inches of Vis and Pull a fish with a Bleeding tail off of Every stump, they are on Beds, but you just can't see them.