Many people are on different sides of the fence when it comes to this topic. What's your opinion? And if you're someone who does spawn fish what is your favorite way to catch them in the spawn?

I don't cast at fish I see on the bed. But Im the only one... Yes I catch spawning fish with bleeding tails ect. And love spring time fishing but I just don't cast over and over at a bedding fish. Where's the sport in that ? I see fisherman do it for 30 min, Not for me. I catch plenty with out doing that. Early spring Im going from a weight less sinko to a fluke with a small weight 12" up (chicken sh.. rig) flipping a chigger craw. Baby brush hog. Ready to go !!!!!!

Anyone who is fishing in less than about 6ft of water avg in east Texas in spring is sight fishing, they just don't know it. I love it. I'd rather hunt down 1-2 giants than blind cast all day to random fish.

Yes- agree.

I grew up on fork and when I was a kid I caught them off beds while walking along banks. Prob last time I've caught one off a bed was 25 years ago. Kinda took the fun out of it for me personally. Where I live and most places I fish now you just don't see beds like at fork but if I was in a tournament I'm sure I would if I seen one.

I used to do it, now not as interested. If I see a 15lb on a bed, then I will most likely try and catch it. I would also probably do it if I was in a tournament and saw something that could improve my bag. I got pretty good at it, but started to wonder what damage was being done so I stopped doing it.

Love bed fishing! I dont care if they're only 2 lbs, playing the old cat and mouse game with the fish is super exciting IMO.

Favorite baits for me... white lizard, 1 oz jig, white 1/2 jig, black and blue 1/2 oz finesse jig, T-rig LFT Craw Tube.

What damage? Like I stated before. Way more fish get pulled off beds by bank beaters than by actual sight fishermen

I'd rather throw a weight less senko/fluke on a flat than actually bed fish

I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge I've gained by seeing how the fish react to different baits. It's not always the thrill of the catch that keeps me interested, its seeing how different fish react to different baits under different conditions. It's the one time of year where you can try different things and have visual confirmation. The things you learn will work the rest of the year blind fishing.

When I am cruising the bank not sight fishing I throw a 5 inch Tx. rigged weightless senko type bait and have a second one set up wacky rigged. I also throw a weightless super fluke.

When I am sight fishing I use a wacky rigged trick worm or a 4 inch senko type bait, also wacky rigged. I also use a tx. rigged tube and a small worm on a drop shot.


I like catching fish and it doesn't matter to me if I can see them or not. They are all fun to me.

Agree with Jaret that there's a zillion bass on beds that no one ever sees and the 2-3 lb fish are the best fish for a spawn. That's why TPWD will release many adult fish from the hatcheries in to lakes. I fish for them because of the challenge of making one bite and if their not locked on you might as well move on. I use a zipper tube in chart. or white. If their locked on the trick is to make her mad and catch and release if not in a tournament.