Spawning largemouth question?

[Doskil]

I was wondering if you can see the male bass on the bed, is the female bass not far away or has she left the area?

Thanks

 

[SilverFox]

Could be either one from what I have seen. If she hasn't laid yet, she is not far. If she has, she pulls back in deeper water to rest and feed. Bucks guard the fry.

 

[cdtac1]

Above info is solid.

 

[Football Hunter]

This is why I wish folks wouldn't keep bass this time of year, the male is the one that guards the fry after the female lays the eggs and heads for deeper water! You snatch the male off the bed and bluegill and other predators will hightail it to the nest.

If what you saw appeared to be a bass under 3#s then you likely were seeing the male. VERY VERY rarely will a male get much larger than 4-5#s. Any bigger and you can be nearly spot on certain it's a female. (Thus the further need for folks to get replica mounts and turn back their trophies!)

good point

 

[Doskil]

This is why I wish folks wouldn't keep bass this time of year, the male is the one that guards the fry after the female lays the eggs and heads for deeper water! You snatch the male off the bed and bluegill and other predators will hightail it to the nest.

If what you saw appeared to be a bass under 3#s then you likely were seeing the male. VERY VERY rarely will a male get much larger than 4-5#s. Any bigger and you can be nearly spot on certain it's a female. (Thus the further need for folks to get replica mounts and turn back their trophies!)

I am seeing males but wondered if females would be nearby.

 

[chunkandwind]

What Silver Fox said is good info. To add to it. If you find
males on bed,fish the immediate are thoroughly then move to
the first drop off and your staging areas and then to
"deep" water. Deep being relative to your lake.

 

[Doskil]

Thanks