We scrutinize each patch of light-colored sand as we move slowly along the lake’s shoreline, looking for dark oblong objects hovering near the bottom.
In Florida, bass might start spawning as early as late December, depending on location and weather. The spawn continues into May, peaking during the full moons of February and March.
On a large system, bass could spawn at different times over several months, depending on local conditions.
When water warms sufficiently, male bass scour out saucer-shaped depressions on the bottom. Females later join the males in the nests. After spawning, females depart, leaving the males to guard the eggs and fry.
Bass commonly make beds on shallow flats or humps with hard gravel or sandy bottoms close to deeper water. Sometimes, they build nests on roots or other objects. They also like good cover near the bedding area.
Brush, vegetation, fallen trees or docks can provide overhead protection, giving bedding bass more security since they remain vulnerable to predators, such as birds, while guarding shallow beds.
With clear water so prevalent in many lakes and streams across the Sunshine State, the spawn also means “sight-fishing” season. Anglers frequently spot and catch huge bass on shallow beds.
Before they can catch bucketmouths, though, anglers need to find them.
“Sight-fishing is like hunting,” says Shaw Grigsby, a professional bass angler from Gainesville. “The challenge is finding the fish. Once we find them, we can often get them to bite. Bass on the beds don’t feed, but they grab baits instinctively to protect their eggs and fry.”
For tempting bedding bass, anglers can use a variety of baits, but soft-plastic creatures probably work the best. The best lures mimic notorious nest raiders, such as salamanders, crawfish and small fish. Tubes, jigs, lizards, worms, craw-tail trailers and similar temptations work well for pulling lunker largemouths from their beds. Baits that imitate bluegills, another nest bandit, might also work.
Some people throw at one huge bass for several hours before it hits a bait or leaves. Bedding bass typically do not chase baits far or fast, so play it subtle. They reactively grab baits to kill anything that might harm the eggs or remove any debris that could interfere with the hatching.
“Most people get too close to the fish,” says Terry Scroggins, a professional bass angler from San Mateo. “If anglers can see the fish, the fish can see them. In clear water, fish may spook, so I back away and make long casts. Sometimes, I mark the bed with a tomato stake and come back to it.”
From a distance, toss a lure behind the nest and drag it into the bed. Leave it there motionless. Then, occasionally shake the rod. Any little subtle action could provoke a strike.
People can sight-fish for bass anywhere in Florida. The St. Johns system, Kissimmee or Harris chains, Lake Okeechobee and many other state waters make great places to catch lunker largemouths as winter turns to spring.