LINCOLN, Ala.—An early spring fast-forwarded to an early summer in central Alabama, with the fishing conditions advancing from spawn to postspawn at the St. Croix Bassmaster Open presented by SEVIIN.
The bane of the postspawn funk, as it’s referred to by tournament anglers, is in play on a lake known for producing upper-teen weights during a day of fishing when spring patterns are normally in play.
This week, practice reports indicate average daily limits will fall within in the 10-pound range. However, remnants of a dwindling spawn are in play, and will be a focus for three days of Tackle Warehouse Elite Qualifier action.
The main factor in play this week is water level. Logan Martin’s lake level went on the rise, as planned by Alabama Power Co., to bring it to summer pool. A spawning cycle began before full pool with the bass moving in undeterred by the rising water. As the water came up, the bass stayed in place.
That gives spawning pattern anglers two options. Go on the hunt for postspawn largemouth on the move, or focus on a dwindling bed fishing strategy. The later option pays big dividends, with a risk.
“The timing of when the bass move up and how it clashes with the rising water is always a factor here,” said Alabamian Trey Swindle, also a regular tournament angler here. “Bed fish water rises over their heads and you can’t sight fish for them.”
Simply put, sight fishing is not much of an option.
A 6 a.m. takeoff also provides an opportunity for the anglers to jumpstart an early limit with shad spawn conditions.
The postspawn funk side of the equation leaves the anglers with plenty of fishing options, although choosing wisely will be a key given the limitation of time.
“In practice I caught spotted bass at 25 feet and then in backs of pockets in less than two feet of water,” said Chad Gray. “The postspawn bass are really all across the water column.”
“There are a ton of variables in play allowing you to fish shallow and deep, which is a good fallback plan should one not option not work,” said Joey Nania, an EQ angler who guides on Logan Martin.
Nania broke down a typical day like this. Began with the shoreline shad spawn early, then move offshore later and apply finesse tactics.
“The X factor is there is still the potential to catch a quality largemouth in shallow water,” said. “If someone gets one of those bites, and can back it up with 2 1/2 pound or more pound spotted bass they are in business.”
Nania’s “X factor” prediction already played out on Day 1 at 9 a.m. as this article was written.
According to unofficial results in BassTrakk, Josh Butler was leading the tournament with a limit weighing 16 pounds, 9 ounces as this article was being written at 9 a.m. The limit was anchored by a largemouth weighing 7 pounds, 4 ounces, as added by Butler into the scoring system.
