ARTICLES: POST SPAWN MALAISE
By JOSEPH HARGREAVES
May 11, 2007
Most of you guys have either read or heard the words “post spawn malaise.” In general the post spawn malaise is the period of time when big female bass have finished spawning and are in desperate need of recuperation. The typical post spawn areas are almost always the first break or drop outside of the spawning area where they have just finished spawning. These big but no longer fat girls will suspend for up to a week or two high in the water column and are very difficult to catch.
Look for these fish by fishing the open water outside of the spawning cove with slow finesse baits like 4” worms on 1/32-3/16 darter heads on 6 lb. mono or fluorocarbon. Unlike traditional darter head fishing that involves getting on top of the fish and jigging the worm aggressively, you will need to stay outside the fish and make long casts to them and swim or swing the bait through the fish. No jigging action is needed and in fact can be detrimental to your presentation. These fish won’t chase and will only hit the worm if it is right in front of them.
Now the big females don’t immediately leave to suspend after laying their eggs. In fact they may lurk in shadows 4-6 ft from the bed. These fish seemingly come out of nowhere to suck up trick worms and flukes worked slowly.
Never forget that the fish don’t all spawn at the same time and if post-spawners give you trouble, look for secondary nests and fish for spawners. You can even chase cooler water and catch pre-spawners. So be versatile and open minded. |
