I thought that too but the last 2 years I have fished shallow to super shallow almost year round. Was catching 'em in 2' or less in 48 degree water as well as 2' or less in August consistently



Lots of timber and docks for them to use. I have figured out some thing that have helped me in fishing the timber and I think they are using it more. I even heard Caldemayer say the timber will be a big player. I think the sandbass and lack of grass make Fork fish a bit like Tawakoni in some areas. I have been looking for ugly water a lot and its been working.

I for one love the spawn on Ivie and look forward to it each year. It's the only time of the year that I can actually SEE the huge DD sowbellies - without the aid of electronics - that have been eluding me all year long, and sadly continue to do so. If not for the spawn and their annual migration to the shallows (as well as JR's pic posts), I would seriously doubt large bass exist in that lake.
Yours truly,
W.W.A.A.A. (pronounced "Waaaahh") Club President
Worlds Worst Avid Anglers Association

I just would rather target prespawn and post spawn fish that are stacked up in groups. Not to say those fish aren't up shallow just not bedding. Sure it's fun to work a bedding bass I do it some to stay in practice.

c'mon, throw to it...

The weeds look fun! Lol

The more I have fished Ivie the more I tend to agree with JR. I haven't ever been a bed fisherman. Sure if I happen upon them I'll fish for them but I can't actually think of a time I target bedding fish knowingly. I'll fish in areas that might hav them but you can't actually see them

I am a junk fisherman at heart but I have learned more fishing offshore structure at Ivie in the last year than during any part of my fishing history. And it hopefully continues

it pays off but only lasts a few days as far as locations. you can though pattern it from north to south over a months time in most lakes.

several reasons probably, one it means spring after the lousy winter time, two its warm (usually), three its exciting to see a big bass on its bed doing its preprogrammed ritual, fourth its very exciting to try to get them to bite.

To me the spawn is a small window of opportunity to change things up a bit. You can beat the bank or go deep the other 320 days a year.

I usually take 3 or so trips a year where I JUST bed fish, then get tired of it. I agree that there are better ways to catch numbers of fish this time of the year than to look at them, but I personally love watching fish get mad and eating your bait.

I love when i hit a lake when the spawn is going on all over and the water clarity lets you see the fish.

Some times ill burn my boat with TM on high along the bank , and go "Bass Shopping"... Ill find the beds that have the biggest bass, mark them and come back through several minutes later and decide which one i want to catch first.

im careful not to do this in areas where im tearing a bunch of beds up under the boat.

i releease spawning fish as fast as possible, many times guide the fish back towards the bed, before the perch come in a divebomb the bed.

I have a couple smaller lakes with good water clarity and little pressure that I enjoy going to bed fish for a few weeks each spring. On a larger lake (Fork) its much more enjoyable to me to find them stacked up pre and post spawn.

I too choose to pass on them at times. there is something very cool about seeing one and tricking it. It is not an efficiant way sometimes but it will always get me jacked to see one eat my bait.

I don't sight fish...can't on most of the water I fish..but it's just the time of year when most fishermen catch numbers and size.