How to Catch Spawning Fish in Florida Weed Beds

Florida is known as one of the premier destinations for fishermen looking to catch a trophy bass that may weigh 10 pounds or more. Because the water stays relatively warm throughout the year, the growing season is long, allowing bass to reach large sizes. Additionally, many of the lakes in which they live have an abundance of forage. While big bass can be caught throughout the year in Florida, one of the best times is during the late winter and spring, when they move into the shallow areas of lakes to spawn.

Things You'll Need

  • Rod and reel
  • Line
  • Hook
  • Shiner minnow
  • Bobber
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Instructions

    • 1

      Spool a 7- to 8-foot rod and reel with 15- to 20-pound test fishing line.

    • 2

      Tie a size 1/0 or 2/0 hook to the end of the fishing line with a Palomar knot.

    • 3

      Hook a 4- to 6-inch shiner minnow onto the hook. The best place to hook the minnow is just behind the dorsal fin on its back.

    • 4

      Locate weed beds that grow off a hard bottom and that are protected from the wind. Bass are most likely to spawn in holes in the vegetation. If the water is shallow enough, you likely will be able to see the bowl-shaped depressions that are bass spawning beds. Bass spawn when the water is in the the low 60-degree Fahrenheit range, so look for water in this temperature range.

    • 5

      Cast the shiner into and around the weed beds. Allow it to swim around on its own and take fishing line from the reel as necessary. Watch for your line to take off in one direction or another. While you may not feel a bite, you should be able to see it. When your line jumps or moves, count to five and then reel the line in until it is tight.

    • 6

      Set the hook by sweeping the rod tip sideways, which tightens the line and drives the hook into the fish's mouth.