Since 1986, Texas' Share Lunker Program has collected largemouth bass over 13 pounds and caught during cold weather months for use as brood stock. More than 360 giants have been caught and donated to the program. Catch dates show the power of the Prespawn Period in producing the biggest bass.

In the opinion of many biologists and anglers, big bass are simply too vulnerable at that time to allow anglers to pursue them. Where bass fishing is open, far more giants are caught than at any other time. The key is targeting thick shallow cover where warm water temperatures prevail, and presenting slow moving and slow falling lures.

In northern states, the actual spawn is brief, so the window to catch a giant female around a spawning bed is typically elusive. But where water clarity allows sight fishing, some giant fish are taken, particularly by those experienced in nest fishing.

Alton Jones concedes that the movement of big bass into shallow water puts them within reach of more anglers than at any other time of year. "Sure, they're shallower and easier to get at or even spot, but I think another factor enhances their catchability at that time of year. Like a big buck during the rut, a big female bass is preoccupied with reproduction. She is less cautious and can be approached. She's also more aggressive during daytime than during any other season. As a result, she'll more likely bite a lure. That factor, combined with the shallow position of giant fish, makes it the best time to catch a lunker."

Postspawn Period: The period following the spawn is much maligned, according to Kelly Jordan. "I typically catch more big fish during that time," Jordon says, "than during the Prespawn Period, except for the can't-miss conditions I mentioned earlier. The biggest females spawn first, and those fish are the first to move onto offshore structure.

"Most anglers continue to pursue the abundant bass in shoreline cover, but the big females are already out deep, and they are hungry. During May on Lake Fork, I can catch at least one 10-pounder a day. Before the spawn, these fish would have been 11-pounders or more. Everything you catch will be big, over six pounds. The fish have moved onto prime structure, so they're easy to locate, holding just off the bottom on points, deep stump rows, and offshore humps. Carolina rigs and big crankbaits are the ticket."

Mitch Looper notes another shallow pattern that develops at this time of year. "In lakes with abundant vegetation, actual packs of big bass move through the cover, flushing out prey, particularly big spawning bluegills. The lunkers move through in unison, and big bass can be caught back to back by swimming a jig or weedless spoon, or working big tube baits through the water willows, alligator weed, or maidencane. This pattern works best on windy, cloudy days, or when it's raining."

Summer Peak: Thirty years ago, In-Fisherman founders Ron and Al Lindner identified the Summer Peak as the short (less than two-week) period that follows the season's first hot spell that lasts through several days and nights, creating a super feeding atmosphere for many fish species. It also tends to coincide with the a quick blooming of underwater vegetation, an abundance of young fish in the shallows, and emerging insects, creating an extremely lively ecosystem.

Across the continent, this peak occurs within a month or so, from Texas to Ontario, due to the accelerated seasonal progression in the North. At the southern end of bassdom, early May often signals the onset of the Summer Peak, and in the northern extremes of bass country, mid-June is typical.

At this time, a variety of deep and shallow patterns can account for large numbers of bass, and some big fish. Average size is not so large as during the Prespawn, Spawn, or Postspawn periods, but lunkers are more prevalent than later in summer. Deep weedlines, shallow docks, and any substantial cover in between can hold fish, so precise location patterns are critical, with lure choice often secondary or even unimportant.

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