Thread: Bream Spawn After Thunderstorm

I was just debating with a friend of mine about whether or not bream will move off their beds because of a thunderstorm. My position was if they already have eggs on the bed they will not leave. His position was if the water rises and becomes muddy they will leave and won’t come back until conditions stabilize. I have also had this discussion with people about crappie and I have found that the males will stay put if they are already deep in the spawn (guarding eggs or fry). What is everybody’s opinion?

Had an experience with an early morning Thunderstorm a couple years ago that may or may not answer your question directly but I will share what happened to me. It was May Full Moon week on my local reservoir, 30 miles long plenty deep water, plenty shallow spawning coves as well, and a healthy population of Panfish, no size or number limit on Bluegill. My daughter and I were supposed to go that morning but with the early rain I went on by myself and left her sleeping. A good storm it was and I followed the radar to the lake basically, arriving at the ramp while still raining but the worst had moved out and I sat in the truck drank coffee and when no thunder was heard and the rain let up I launched and hit several known gill beds. Nothing, not even a bite on a live cricket I had bought to insure she caught fish. Managed a couple small squeaky channel cats and I think a smallmouth in two hours of fishing. Ok….did the storm have something to do with it? Water still dripping off the trees, wind settling but still overcast, nope no fish. Ok went back home, tail tucked very my legs, thankful didn’t wake and take daughter, but wondering where the fish went. Well like most Spring storms the weather improved, sun came out wind settled and an afternoon trip was approved by Momma and back to the same spots we went. Bam it was on like Donkey Kong….I spent a wonderful afternoon baiting hooks and taking off fish while my daughter perfected her casting and catching abilities. Same spots, same bait, the fish were there. There that morning……I believe so just not biting. Long story but my experience with Thunderstorms and shallow fish….the change in conditions seemed to affect the bite but when things settled down they were feeding and nest guarding if you will like normal.


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