A major transition period in the underwater world is fast approaching the Miss-Lou.

The bass and crappie are fat and full of eggs. Water temperatures are slowly climbing and the spawning season is just around the corner.

Of course cold fronts will continue to push water temps around but the average low will be higher each week.

Studies show that bass and crappie will move shallow and spawn when water temps reach 58- to 60-degree water.

That’s true but some female fish will be so full of eggs they will move shallow regardless of water temps and weather conditions. These fish are usually the heavyweights.

Put it this way. If it’s 54 degrees in shallow water this month, it will probably be 48 in deep water.

This the time of year a surface water temperature gauge is a very useful tool.

Locate water temps just a few degrees warmer than the rest of the lake and the fish will be in that area if good cover is available.

This time of year you can locate fish in inches of water or as deep as 20 feet. February bass tournaments are usually won by veteran anglers that fish both deep and shallow water.

In most cases, the deep-water bite is good early, and the fish will be more active in the shallows during the mid-day hours if the sun is shining.

On cloudy days you may find the fish suspended over deeper water. But, there are no rules in this game they won’t break this month.

While this is a great month to catch big bass and crappie, the fish can be picky. The first wave of spawning females will be scared of their own shadow.

A lure crashing down in their territory or a noisy trolling motor will spook them off. You need to make short, accurate underhand pitch cast with a very silent entry.

Keep your trolling motor turned off as much as possible and you’ll catch more fish.

If the bass and crappie are bumping your lure but not taking it, lighten up. At times, especially during the pre-spawn, slow falling lures will out produce the heavyweights.

Try a 7/16 jig for bass instead of a larger jig. Use a 1/64th ounce jig head for crappie instead of a 1/32 ounce. You will get more strikes on slow falling, light lures when the bite is off.

It is extremely important that we practice catch and release this month while bass fishing the public waters.

The bass are full of eggs, and we need more fish in our lakes. You can do your part by releasing the big females.

Eddie Roberts writes a weekly fishing column for The Natchez Democrat. Reach him at

fishingwitheddie@highstream.net.