What is the " PRE" spawn exactly ?
i often wonder what constitutes pre spawn and then the spawn ? i always took it that when they stage up somewhere close to the shallow spawning grounds in the spring that was the pre spawn . but i hear and see folks saying things that contradict my thoughts . So if black and white crappie are set up in shallow water wearing spawning colors is that still the pre spawn ? the water temp was only 51.5 so according to the various studies and etc etc the 2 limits we managed in less than 3 feet of water on beds couldnt possibly be already spawning because the water temperature isnt just right .
i am not trying to contradict anyone or start trouble in here i just dont fully understand the they are not actually spawning thing ? Will they in fact just hang around in those spots for a month or so until that magic 68 degree water temps are abundant ? The water temps yesterday did get up to 55 at 11 am when we left and it was 62 when i hit that spot last week . the cold front that came thru last week chilled it quite a bit as far as water temperatures but the fish in that spot continued to stack in there and color up .some of the females were dropping eggs in the ice chest and some of the male fish got EXTRA blackened after a bit in the enclosure . i would also say the males out numbered the females 3 or so to 1 .
the fish i might just add were not colored up near as much last week when we last visited that lake .
dont anyone go and get upset or anything i am just "fishin" for more information on this subject .
bass and bream were up shallow as well and they seemed to be sporting full dress as well and it is a small lake if that helps with the diagnosis .
please feel free to post your thoughts as i am always looking to know what the deal is with these tricky lil fish.
and YES i think they are still in a bit of a prespawn situation out there . they dont look beat down enough just yet to me to be really doing it .
have a great day ....:ThumbsUp