Was out last night for a few minutes just before dark. Was in the upper end of a cove on Lake Belton in about 3' of water. Caught several 10-12 black bass but no crappie. Was wondering if the crappie would move in later?

Sandies, crappies, bass, catfish in that order.

^this

I saw a bunch of bass in shallow water today. Does this mean the crappie have already spawned???

I've been told different. That LMB spawn first. No way crappie have already spawned and moved out. Every female I catch is full of eggs.

Let me say I have zero knowledge about this subject but am interested every year these questions come up. My personal "swag" is worth the paper it is written on.

I believe all species spawn "over time". Think about it, if 90-95% of a species spawned at the same time and bad weather or natural disaster could wipe them out on said area. Thus I think most species spawn over time and temp and in different areas. We know sandies spawn up creek but some always spawn on windy lake points.

Just my 2 penny's worth.

Not 100% but use for fishing, Bass- 60degrees, Crappie 65degrees, Bream and Bait fish 70 degrees. All it has to do with it is who eats who.

If one spawns before the other it's not by much definitely wih longer days and the sun shining on the water. With nice sunshine and consistent temps that water temp will rise quickly and it'll both be on for bass and crappie. I bass and crappie fish and I've always caught them spawning at the same time. It's bang bang and it's on for both.

I've always heard bass first.

LMB

x3

I can't say which one starts first, but I can say for sure that they overlap each other.
The crappie keep at it longer and the bass are pretty much done while the crappie are still going strong.
Bluegill also overlap crappie, but can't recall if the bass are done by then or not.
There is a period of time though where both bass and crappie are hot after it during the same time frame.
I've caught some really nice bass during the crappie spawn while fishing in 3-5 FOW for crappie.
My best so far was an 8 pounder landed on 4 lb line. I think the long rod helped that deal happen.
I saw an 11 pounder caught on a tiny little crappie jig by a guy fishing right beside me one night.

Trash fish first, and good fish later.

Buffalo, bass, crappie, catfish in that order. Once the first 2 species (trash fish) get started then the good fish are usually not far behind.

I caught 6 catfish saturday just messing around from the bank,3 blues-3 channels
channels were full of eggs,blues not,the eggs looked good,
so maybe channels spawn before blues??? dont know

Really!

I'm in love with them all