I find the colder the water the slower n less u move the bait .. I just know that after the Ice melts those Big Pre-Spawn Mommas are out there looking to get fatter .. Remember take a few pics n throw em back in , keep em out of the water minimally and handle them properly vertically n support their body weight with ur other hand to insure their survival ..
i honestly hate keeping fish during spawning times, but bass takes me to a whole other level, i get so mad when i see people keeping spawning fish, it just gets me so mad, im ok if you keep fish, i never keep bass, but if you do, please make sure its not a egg loaded female.