Spring Bass

[Cardinal]

I got out early on Saturday, was on the water at 5:30. There was no surface activity so I went to the northeast corner where the water is supposed to warmer. I was using a white ( too simple ) streamer with a small nymph as a dropper. I caught two very small bluegill and a 12 in bass, all on the dropper. I fished a little longer and then went to the shallow part of the lake. There was a little activity on the surface and I thought it was blue gill. I put on a yellow foam spider and would cast to the activity. In the next hour I caught 10 10-12 inch bass and a large bluegill. The bass would take the spider almost immediately. I thought the bluegill would be spawning first but the bass were lots more active. The only thing I like better than learning how the fishing goes in my area is how I am learning it.

Cardinal,
As a general rule, blue gills will spawn after bass. there may be parts of a body of water in which both species are spawning at the same time, but usually bass have done the deed before the blue gills have started.

Tight lines
Jeff

[ohiotuber]

Cardinal,
Jeff's right...here in Ohio, the bass can be expected to spawn in early May & the gills in early June, usually in conjunction with the full moon. I have always been a C&R guy on bass & MOST gills, & I personally either fish streams or not at all in early thru mid May to try to "lay-off" spawning bass. Personally, I think keeping bass during the spawning period should be prohibited.
Mike

[Cardinal]

Thanks for the correction, I thought Bluegill spawned first. The ponds I fish are Catch and release only and artificial bait only. They are heavily fished all the time so it is remarkable to me when I occasionly figure out what they are biting on.