Fish that were more concerned with protecting a nest than feeding start eating again in their post-spawn period. They are finished with procreation and turn their attention to filling their bellies as they shift into patterns they will keep throughout the coming summer. Find the most abundant food in the water you are fishing and you'll find the bass.
Location
Finding bass is usually harder than catching them. Since they spawn in shallow, flat areas, the search for post-spawn bass begins in the backs of coves and on flats. The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide says to start looking for them around the spawning areas. Continue fishing along any creek channels that run from the spawning area to deeper water because those channels are the routes bass will follow to their summer haunts. If you find food supplies such as shad, bluegill or crawfish along those routes, you've likely found bass.
Lures
Start with fast-moving baits during the post-spawn period. You can cover a lot of water with these. Bass are usually more willing to chase baits at this time of year because their primary interest is feeding, although a bass that just came off a bed may be lethargic for a few days. The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide suggests buzzbaits and spinnerbaits with a white or chartreuse skirt as a good post-spawn starting lure.
Transitioning
Former Minnesota B.A.S.S. state champion Loren Davidson says the transition time from spawning to summer patterns is "very unpredictable." In the northern waters of his home state, Davidson says deep waters may still be cold, so baitfish haven't moved there yet. He says the bass that do go deep are recuperating from the spawn and hard to catch. Other fish are moving and cruising around the flats. He suggests following those creek channels out from spawning areas, fish fast, then slow down once you catch a couple of fish in one area. There could be others there.
Go Small
Lurenet.com says to go small with your lures. The bass may be lethargic, but they still want to eat. By throwing small crankbaits, you are matching the small fry that are coming off the beds of all the different kinds of fish that just spawned. Throw those lures along underwater edges where there are sudden changes of depth and bump then into any kind of stump, tree, laydown or rock that's in the water. Those bumps can trigger strikes from bass.
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