Let Roadbeds Lead You to Prespawn Bass

Roadbeds can be productive areas for catching prespawn bass since they serve as migration routes for bass moving from deep water to shallow water areas.

Here are several tips for fishing roadbeds for prespawn bass:

Locate the Roadbeds: Look for areas where roadbeds run parallel or perpendicular to the shore near drop-offs that lead to deeper water. Roadbeds can also be identified on a lake map (see image below), so it's worth doing some research before heading out on the water.

Fish the Drop-Offs: Target the drop-offs along the roadbed with a slow-moving bait such as a jig, Texas-rigged worm, or creature bait. Focus on the areas where the roadbed transitions from shallow to deep water as this can be a prime location for staging bass.

Try a Crankbait: Square bill and lipless crankbaits can also be effective on roadbeds. Use a slow and steady retrieve and make sure the lure bumps the roadbed occasionally to mimic struggling forage.

Experiment with Different Depths: Vary the depth of your bait until you find the depth where the bass are holding. Try fishing at different depths along the roadbed until you locate staging bass.

Keep an Eye on Water Temperature: The prespawn/spawn period is triggered by the warming of the water, so monitor the water temperature regularly. When the water temperature reaches around 55-60 degrees Fahrenheit, the bass will start moving up to shallower water to spawn.

Use a Slow Presentation: During the prespawn period, the bass are often lethargic and not as aggressive as they will be in a cool water period. Start by using a slow presentation and then experiment with different retrieve speeds and actions then let the bass' reactions identify the best prsentation to trigger strikes.

Take a moment and watch the following video by bass pro Shane LeHew as he gives an "on the water" demo on cranking roadbeds for prespawn bass: