How close is the bass spawn in sw Iowa?

[Redog]

So sounds like there is some beds being made and a buddy told me he saw some bucks fry guarding at a small pond he fishs. Last weekend I saw wt up to 62*

So just wondering how many guys think this weekend there could be lots of spawning going on?? Also what do you guys have luck throwing to get bites?

I have never tried to catch a big female off a bed, why is that? Well because I have never seen one lol. Might try Green valley again. I would like to figure a few spots out there that are really well noted on everyone GPS already.

I also might have to stay closer to home because I see there are some graduation parties I may have to go to… I don’t even know thes kid’s or parents so how the heck to we get invited LOL.

[JACQUART21]

Looking at the extended forecast and knowing what most all the area water temps are. This week and through the weekend the vast majority of fish will complete their spawning activities. In the lakes that are dirtier or stained clarity, its already happening or recently happened. It's actually been a few years since we've had a spawning setup like we do right now. It's kinda rare this time of the year to get water temps right about 60° and get a long stable warm weather pattern.

[Redog]

Thank you for responding! Do you have any luck catching bass during this time of spawning? If so what are some good baits you like?

[JACQUART21]

For me, success comes and goes and honestly its really more about timing of when the fish are getting on the beds. Sometimes the fish will be very aggressive with baits being put in their beds, other times there isn't anything you can do to get them to bite. It's really one of the more difficult ways to fish and be successful. But seeing and having the opportunity to catch big fish up shallow is obviously one of the more exciting experiences in bass fishing. I generally use a combination of neko rig, wacky rig or a texas rigged craw. I always try to stick with natural subtle colors and smaller profile baits. Often times those fish are really eyeballing the bait and inspecting it before they act. Gotta be quiet and deadly accurate to get that bait right in the bed and pester that fish into picking up that bait.

[bassin74]

we fish smallie beds at mille lacs when we come across them and its fun. but those smallies are way more aggressive on the beds than largemouth!

[Redog]

Anyone have luck with a top water over there heads? Or does it need to be right in there nest??

[JACQUART21]

I've caught some on a buzzbait during this time, but they have to be very aggressive to catch them on topwater. I believe it has to be a moving bait for the reaction, but majority of the time the commotion will spook them.

[dwtaylor]

Anyone have luck with a top water over there heads? Or does it need to be right in there nest??

Smallies that aren't caught everyday off their nests will hit a top water in shallow water. Smallies you can put just about anything in their bed and they will eat it.

Topwater is a good pattern in post spawn though for both species guarding fry.

Largemouth you have to usually work on. I like a rotation of baits to piss them off enough to bite. Sometimes I actually intentionally hit them with the bait to piss them off and get them worked up and follow it up with a ned rig, tube w exposed hook, or a drop shot and that usually does the trick.