What Bass Do After Spawning
After spawning, bass (especially largemouth bass) transition into what’s called the post-spawn phase, which typically lasts several weeks depending on water temperatures and conditions. Here’s how it plays out:
1. Recovery Phase
- Location: After laying or guarding eggs, both male and female bass (especially females) move off the beds into slightly deeper water—often to the first break, point, or structure nearby (like submerged brush or docks).
- Behavior: They are tired, less aggressive, and recovering. Feeding is light at first but gradually increases.
2. Transition to Feeding
- Location: As they regain energy, bass begin to follow baitfish (like shad or bluegill) into creeks, coves, or offshore structure.
- Behavior: They start feeding more actively, especially on baitfish and fry. Males may hang around the shallows a bit longer to protect fry, while females usually head deeper sooner.
3. Positioning for Summer Patterns
- As water temps continue to rise into the 70s-80s, bass move toward summer haunts like deeper points, humps, ledges, and weed lines where oxygen and bait are plentiful.
Best Lures to Use Post-Spawn
Bass will react differently depending on their recovery stage and how actively they’re feeding. Here are reliable lure types:
For Lethargic/Recovering Bass:
- Wacky-rigged stick baits (like a Senko)
- Weightless soft plastics
- Drop shot rigs
- Ned rigs
These subtle presentations work well when bass are holding tight to cover and not very aggressive.
For Actively Feeding Bass:
- Topwaters (especially walking baits, poppers, and frogs)
- Swimbaits (soft or hard-bodied)
- Spinnerbaits and chatterbaits
- Crankbaits (shallow to medium divers depending on depth)
- Jigs (especially swim jigs near grass or bluegill beds)
Focus on mimicking either bluegill, shad, or crawfish depending on the forage in your body of water.