First let me say I'm no expert, my experience is that the females will stage and suspend when water temps are 55 to 60 deg. Often males will move in around 60 deg and prep the beds. Don't know how deep you were fishing but I would say that the females should remain in the general area until temps move in to the lower 60's. I would rather fish the pre spawn than the actual spawn, easier to target and vertical presentation seems to work well. Good luck.......