bass spawning time?????????

have been looking for signs of spawning in bass over the last 12 mts.
from jan./march most fish were eather spent or excreating milt.
almost all fish from jan/mar. appeared to be males.
I.M.O. irish bass spawn from jan./mar. whitin a few miles of the coast
I.M.O. NO IRISH BASS SPAWN DURING THE CLOSED SEASON. NONE??
anyone ever see any signs of spawning around the closed season?? i douth it.

Have heard similar stories of bass in kerry around March and April full of milt. Possibly spawn at different times around the country?

Would imagine its closely related to water temps, and with a really mild winter (like the one just gone) fish are going to be spawning much earlier. Also, water temps on the south coast will always be a degree or two higher than east or north coasts so fish will spawn earlier there.

The plus side is the fry will have a longer growing season before their first winter which means higher survival rates - bass fry have to reach a certain size in their first summer or they won't survive the winter (can't remember the exact size but do remember Ed Fahy making that point).

It raises an interesting point about the closed season though - should it be moved to earlier in the year? Is it too short at one month?

Would tend to agree with you there Bradan - an revised extension might need to be considered in the face of the changing circumstances.

I remember from last year catching spawning fish very late, in fact way past the 'season' too!

I'm sure it will generate the usual debate - whatever the discussion it wont stop people from fishing for them during the closed season!

Jim

Just wondering how do you recognise these fish just after or before they spawn!??

Just wondering how do you recognise these fish just after or before they spawn!??

well after u can always tell cause the fish that just did it always has a marlboro in its mouth :wink:

Just wondering how do you recognise these fish just after or before they spawn!??

very lean, looks like its been sucked, which makes its fins look oversize :shock: