Post Spawn Bass Fishing Tips: Crack the Code When They Won't Bite (2025)

By: Dave Samuel

Updated On: July 24, 2025

Last Saturday on Lake Travis, I watched three boats work the same spawning flat for hours without a single fish. Meanwhile, I was quietly loading the kayak 200 yards away where the post spawners had already moved. By 10 AM, I'd boated eight solid bass while those guys were still beating dead water.

That's the thing about post spawn bass fishing - everyone knows the spawn is over, but most anglers keep fishing like it's still happening. After guiding for 15 years and fishing tournaments across Texas, I've learned that finding post spawn bass requires completely changing your approach.

The females are exhausted, suspended in timber 15 feet down. The males are guarding fry in the shallows, ready to attack anything that threatens their babies. And somewhere between those two extremes, there's a whole population of bass that nobody's targeting. Let me show you exactly how to find them.

Understanding Post Spawn Bass Behavior

Post spawn isn't just one phase - it's three distinct patterns happening simultaneously. Understanding this changed my catch rates dramatically.

The Three Post Spawn Phases

I break post spawn into what I call the "Recovery Trinity":

Phase 1: Immediate Post Spawn (Days 1-7) The females are beat up, suspended near the first available cover outside spawning areas. Males stay shallow, protecting fry balls. Water temps: 68-72°F.

Phase 2: Transition Period (Days 8-21)
Females start feeding again but remain lethargic. Males abandon fry as they disperse. Both genders begin grouping up. Water temps: 70-75°F.

Phase 3: Early Summer Pattern (Days 22+) Bass fully recover and establish summer patterns. Schooling activity increases. Following shad migrations becomes priority. Water temps: 75°F+.

Last May on Falcon Lake, I tracked tagged bass with my Garmin fish finder and watched this progression happen. One 7-pounder moved from her bed to a submerged mesquite tree 30 yards away, suspended at 12 feet for five days straight. Then she suddenly appeared on a main lake point chasing shad - textbook post spawn movement.

Why Post Spawn Bass Are Tough to Catch?

Here's what makes them so finicky:

Energy Depletion - Females lose 10-20% of body weight during spawn
Scattered Locations - No longer concentrated on beds
Mood Swings - Aggressive one moment, lockjawed the next
Suspended Fish - Not relating to bottom structure consistently

The biggest mistake? Fishing too fast. Post spawn bass won't chase like pre-spawners. You've got to put it right in their face and leave it there.

How to Find Post Spawn Bass?

Finding them starts with understanding where they're going, not where they've been. Here's my systematic approach:

Check the Obvious First

Shallow Fry Guarders Male bass protecting fry are the easiest targets. Look for:

Shaded docks within 100 yards of spawning flats
Laydowns with overhanging branches
Grass edges where fry can hide
Shallow stumps and cypress knees

I'll never forget the morning I found clouds of fry under a dock on Toledo Bend. Every cast with a white popper produced violent strikes from protective males. The key to fishing around structure is stealth - that's where kayaks excel.

First Drop-Offs Females don't go far initially. Target:

Creek channel bends nearest spawning areas
First major depth change (8-15 feet)
Submerged timber on drops
Rock transitions to deeper water

Following the Food

Post spawn timing often coincides with two critical events:

Shad Spawn When water hits 68-70°F, shad spawn around:

Riprap banks
Marina walls
Clay points
Dock pilings

Last spring on Lake Fork, I found shad spawning on a marina wall at daybreak. Threw a bone-colored spinnerbait parallel to the wall and caught 11 bass in 30 minutes. The shad were literally bouncing off my blade.

Bluegill Beds As bass finish spawning, bluegills move in. Big post spawn females love an easy bluegill meal. Scout for:

Sandy pockets in 2-4 feet
Protected coves
Around lily pads
Near wooden cover

Advanced Location Strategies

Current Breaks (River Systems) On river systems like the Colorado River at Lake Austin:

Eddies below points
Behind bridge pilings
Slack water near current seams
Deep bends with reduced flow

Suspended Fish Zones Use your electronics to find:

Fish 8-15 feet down over 20-30 feet of water
Suspending under floating docks
Relating to thermocline formation
Following baitfish schools

Best Post Spawn Bass Lures

After testing hundreds of baits, these consistently produce when others fail:

Lures for Specific Situations

Post Spawn Smallmouth Bass

Tube jigs in craw colors
Ned rigs on rocky points
Jerkbaits over deeper grass

River Post Spawn Patterns

Current-breaking crankbaits
Heavy spinnerbaits
Football jigs in eddies

When Bass Won't Bite

Drop shot with 4" finesse worm
Shaky head with straight tail worm
Live bait (where legal) - nightcrawlers excel

Proven Post Spawn Techniques

Success requires adjusting your entire approach. Here's what works:

The Slow Game

Post spawn bass demand patience. My rules:

Count to 10 - After casting, literally count before moving bait
Half Speed - Whatever retrieve speed feels right, cut it in half
Multiple Angles - Hit cover from 3-4 different positions
Smaller Strike Zones - They won't move far to eat

Last June, I spent 15 minutes working one laydown with a wacky rig. Nothing. Changed angles, pitched to the shaded side - immediate 6-pounder. Persistence pays.

Power Fishing Post Spawn

When you find aggressive fish:

Covering Water Strategy

Run marina docks with buzzbaits at dawn
Parallel riprap with spinnerbaits during shad spawn
Work grass edges with swim jigs

I use my kayak's stealth advantage to get tight to cover. Last season, I could reach docks boat anglers couldn't access, resulting in several tournament wins.

Finesse When Necessary

For pressured or negative fish:

Drop Shot Mastery

6-8 inch leader length
Nose hook 4" straight tail worms
Shake in place 30+ seconds
Target: suspended fish on electronics

Float-N-Fly (Clear Water Lakes)

1/16 oz hair jig under float
Set 8-12 feet deep
Deadly on suspended smallmouth
Works when nothing else will

Post Spawn River Bass Tactics

River bass behave differently than lake fish. After spawning in slack water pockets, they'll:

Prime River Locations

Current Breaks Are Key

Wing dams deflecting current
Deep eddies below rapids
Side channels with reduced flow
Gravel bars creating seams

On the Guadalupe River, I've found post spawners stacked in a 50-yard eddy below a rapid. One pocket produced 15 bass because they were using minimal energy while ambushing prey.

River-Specific Presentations

Go Heavy

1/2 to 3/4 oz spinnerbaits
5/8 oz football jigs
Heavy Texas rigs (1/2 oz minimum)

Work Current Seams Position upstream, cast down and across. Let current sweep bait into slack water where bass wait.

Time of Day Strategies

Post spawn bass feeding windows are predictable:

Dawn Patrol (First Light - 8 AM)

Prime time for:

Topwater action
Shad spawn patterns
Fry guarders most aggressive

Midday Doldrums (10 AM - 3 PM)

Switch to:

Deeper presentations
Shaded cover
Finesse techniques
Look for suspended fish under docks

Evening Feed (5 PM - Dark)

Return to:

Shallow patterns
Moving baits
Bluegill bed areas

Seasonal Timing by Region

Post spawn happens at different times across the country:

Deep South (FL, South TX): February - March Central South (TX, LA, MS): March - April
Transition Zone (TN, AR, OK): April - May Northern Range (MI, WI, MN): May - July

Water temperature is the key - not calendar dates. When temps stabilize at 68-70°F, post spawn begins.

Essential Gear for Post Spawn Success

The right equipment makes a huge difference:

Rod and Reel Setups

Popper/Topwater Rod

7' medium-heavy, moderate action
Allows proper working of poppers
Shock absorption for aggressive strikes

Finesse Setup

7' medium-light, fast action spinning
2500 series reel
10-15 lb braid to 8-10 lb fluorocarbon leader

Heavy Cover/Jig Rod

7'3" heavy, fast action
High-speed reel (7.3:1 or higher)
17-20 lb fluorocarbon

Must-Have Accessories

Polarized sunglasses (amber for spotting fry)
Long-nose pliers (deep-hooked fry guarders)
Quality fish finder for locating suspended fish
Drift sock (controlling boat position)
Multiple rod holders (quick lure changes)

Common Post Spawn Mistakes

Avoid these errors I see constantly:

Fishing Too Fast - Slow down by 50%
Wrong Depths - Check 8-15 feet first
Ignoring Suspended Fish - Look up, not just down
Same Spots as Spawn - Fish have moved!
Wrong Lure Size - Downsize when tough

Advanced Tips From the Pros

Learned these from tournament partners:

The Dock Skip Pattern

Skip wacky rigs to the deepest, darkest corners where big females suspend. Use backhand roll casts for accuracy.

Thermocline Tracker

Find where water temp drops 2-3 degrees. Post spawn bass stack here. Mark it and work thoroughly.

Match Fry Size

When bass are eating their own fry, use 2-3" soft plastics in translucent colors. Deadly but disturbing to watch.

The Bluegill Bed Blitz

Find spawning bluegills, back off 30 yards, throw bluegill-pattern swim jig. Big females patrol the edges.

Conservation During Post Spawn

This is a critical time for bass populations:

Handle fish quickly and gently
Don't remove fry guarders for long
Use appropriate tackle (no ultra-light for big fish)
Consider catch and release during this vulnerable time

FAQ Section

When is post spawn for bass?

Post spawn begins when water temperatures stabilize between 68-72°F. In Texas, that's typically April-May, but it varies by region. The spawn can last 6-8 weeks with fish in different stages.

Where do bass go after spawning?

Females move to the nearest deep water structure - typically 8-15 feet deep near spawning areas. Males stay shallow guarding fry for 1-2 weeks. Both eventually migrate to main lake points and offshore structure.

What is the best bait for post spawn bass?

Topwater poppers are my #1 choice, followed by wacky rigged Senkos. These baits trigger both aggressive fry guarders and lethargic suspended fish. Match your presentation to the fish's mood.

Why are post spawn bass hard to catch?

They're exhausted from spawning, scattered across various depths, and often suspended away from structure. Their metabolism is recovering, making them less likely to chase baits. Slow, precise presentations are crucial.

How deep are post spawn bass?

Depth varies by water clarity and lake structure. Generally:

Males: 1-5 feet (guarding fry)
Females: 8-20 feet (suspended or on first drops)
Clear water: Add 5-10 feet to these ranges

Do all bass spawn at the same time?

No, spawning occurs in waves over 4-8 weeks. You'll find pre-spawn, spawning, and post spawn bass simultaneously. Water temperature, not calendar date, triggers each wave.

What triggers the post spawn transition?

Rising water temperatures (above 70°F), completion of spawning, and forage movements (shad and bluegill spawns) trigger bass to leave spawning areas and transition to summer patterns.

Can you catch bass on beds after spawn?

Once eggs hatch and fry disperse (7-10 days), bass abandon beds. However, males guarding fry balls near old bed sites remain catchable and highly aggressive to perceived threats.

Final Thoughts

Post spawn bass fishing separates good anglers from great ones. It's not about throwing the same moving baits you used pre-spawn or beating the banks where you saw beds two weeks ago. It's about understanding fish behavior, adapting your approach, and having patience when the bite gets tough.

Last season, I guided 47 trips during the post spawn period. The anglers who listened and slowed down averaged 15-20 fish per trip. Those who insisted on fishing "their way" might catch 2-3. The fish will tell you what they want - you just have to pay attention.

Next time you hit the water and the spawn's winding down, remember: the biggest bass of the year are often caught during post spawn. They're recovering, hungry, and predictable if you know where to look. Grab that box of poppers, tie on a wacky rig, and work that first creek channel swing.

The post spawn puzzle isn't that complicated once you understand the pieces. Now get out there and put these tips to work. The fish are waiting, just not where everyone else is looking.

Tight lines and full livewells!

Have a post spawn success story or favorite technique? Drop a comment below and share what's working on your home water. And don't forget to check out our guide to kayak fishing for beginners if you're ready to access those spots the bass boats can't reach.