Best Time To Fish For Bass – All Season Explained

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Bass fishing is all about being in the right place at the right time. Therefore, it pays to learn where bass will be lurking at any given time. This way, you can maximize your chances of catching one. 

So, what is the best time to fish for bass? Spring is arguably the best time for bass fishing, especially under low light conditions. Mainly because bass starts feeding, preparing for spawn season. The following windows are also good for bass fishing: 

  • Winter: Midday, when the water temperatures are at their highest
  • Summer: Early morning, late evenings, and nights 
  • Fall: Afternoon

As you can see, bass are among the few species that you can fish year-round. You can even get lucky outside these seasons. Nevertheless, experience tells us that these are the best times for bass fishing. Let’s take some time to understand why. 

Spring and Bass Fishing Go Together 

In early spring, bass fishing might be a little slow. However, things start to look better as the water temperature rises and spawning season approaches. Thus, to explain better why spring is the best time for bass fishing, we will divide in terms of the spawning season. 

Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing 

Bass move from deep waters to the shallow during pre-spawn. They start to feed aggressively to replenish their energy and get ready for reproduction. In other words, bass will be more active, which translates into more bites. 

Midday, early morning, and late evenings are the best times for bass fishing during pre-spawn. We recommend targeting the space between deep water and the shallows. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are among the best lures for bass fishing that you can use during the pre-spawn season. 

Typically, bass males start making their nest in the shallows, while big female bass stays closer to deeper waters. 

Spawn Bass Fishing

Bass behavior changes drastically during spawn season. They are more concentrated on protecting their eggs than feeding. Hence, they won’t bother biting. U. Unless you throw something irresistible. The best approach is to cast the lure directly into the nest. 

Keep in mind that not all bass spawn at the same time. Move between the shallows and the deeper sections if you are not lucky. 

Post-Spawn Bass Fishing

Water temperatures between 70 to 80 degrees mark the end of the bass spawning season. As a result, they move back to deeper water. 

At the same time, bluegill and shad spawn begins. This is another good time for bass fishing, as they start to feed again, especially on the fish we named before. Swimbaits and spinnerbaits that mimic bluegills and shads are the way to go during post-spawn periods.  

Spring season provides the best times for bass fishing. Start casting near the deeper sections of the lake, and move to the shallows as the water temperatures start to rise. Make sure to check the local regulations on bass fishing. Some of these windows may be closed to protect the bass population. 

Keep in mind that water temperatures are quite unstable during early spring. Cold winds could drive bass back to the deeper sections of the lake or river as these are warmer. 

Winter: Not the Best Time for Bass Fishing

Winter may be the harsher time to fish for bass. Water temperatures reach an all-time low, driving bass to deeper water, where they can enjoy the little warmth is left. Plus, low temperatures inhibit their aggressive nature, making them less likely to bite. 

Midday, when the sun is high in the sky, is the best time for bass fishing during winter. The water gets warmer, making fish more active. However, they will still stick close to deeper water. 

Swimbaits that look like shads are the ones that produce the most bites during this season. 

Summer Bass Fishing

Like winter, summer bass fishing is rather slow. As the water temperature rises, the oxygen concentration decreases. Thus, bass migrates to deeper water where the concentration is higher. 

Therefore, early mornings, late afternoons, and nights (as long as the moon is shining) are the best times for bass fishing during summer. The water is colder, and they don’t need to move to deeper, oxygen-rich waters. Targeting the weeds with jigs, plastic worms, or swimbaits works swimmingly. 

Cloudy days also produce a decent amount of bites. Make sure to read the weather forecast beforehand. 

Fall Bass Fishing

During the fall, water temperatures slowly begin to cool as winter approaches. As a result, bass will change the deeper water for the shallows. While bass fishing is still slow during fall, it is not as bad as during winter or summer. 

Bass tend to feed aggressively on baitfish in preparation for the winter. So, using lures that mimic such fishes is the way to go during fall. 

Again, early in the morning and late in the evening are the best times for bass fishing during fall. They are more likely to fish in the shallows during these windows because the water is a little warmer. Spinnerbaits and crankbaits work wonders during fall bass fishing. 

Keep an eye out for any cold fronts as they might halt bass fishing. 

What is the Best Time of Day to Fish for Bass?

As you might have noticed, early mornings and late evenings are, on average, the two best times for bass fishing. The water is colder. Thus, they tend to be more active and lurking the shallows looking for food. 

Which is The Best Time of Day to Catch Smallmouth Bass?

Like all other bass species, the best time for smallmouth bass fishing is early in the day or late in the evenings.  

Similarly, early spring is the best season for smallmouth bass fishing since the water is colder. Remember that smallmouth bass fancy colder waters. In contrast, largemouths prefer warmer environments. 

Can You Fish for Bass At Night? 

Of course, you can. However, keep in mind that bass relies on their sight to catch prey. Thus, bass cannot eat something that they cannot see. So, to get lucky you must make sure that your lure stays visible.

Fish when the moon is shining bright in the sky, and use glossy swimbaits to increase your chances of catching bass at night. 

Why Do Bass Change Their Behavior Throughout The Year? 

Water temperature is responsible for all changes in bass behavior. Higher temperature means less dissolved oxygen. As a result, they will move to deeper water where the oxygen concentration is higher.

Conversely, when water temperature decreases, bass will move to the shallows where the water is warmer. In this article, we talk about water temperature and fishing. Make sure to check it. 

Best Time for Bass Fishing

Bass behavior changes greatly depending on the season. Thus, the chances of hooking one increase or decrease accordingly. Spring is the best time of the year for bass fishing. Fall also yields good fishing, while summer and winter months are the hardest times to fish for bass. 

Similarly, early mornings and late evenings are the best times of day for bass fishing. The water is colder, which means that they will go to shallow water. 

Above all remember that bass behavior changes according to temperature. Make sure that you understand why, so you can maximize your fishing. 

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