TAKEOFF
SCENARIOS
IN AND OUT OF GRASS undeRstandinG the Role aquatic veGetation plaYs in eaRlY-season Bass positioninG can lead to MoRe and BiGGeR catches
“
Bass in grass” commonly defines florida fishing, but catching fish consistently requires an understanding of when and where the fish move in the green stuff. some of it’ s the result of seasonal patterns programmed into the fish’ s dna, and environmental conditions also enter into the equation.
What’ s so special about aquatic vegetation to bass in early spring? sunshine state native and flW tour pro Brandon McMillan lists the top grass attraction as being shelter during harsh conditions such as a cold front or when bright sunlight and high pressure follow fronts. the next big motivator is spawning season, with fish taking up different positions for prespawn, spawn and postspawn periods.
By David A. Brown
of course, it doesn’ t hurt that most of the native vegetation that provides cover for bass also harbors crawfish, bluegills and golden shiners – dietary staples for hungry largemouths any time of the year.
photo by rob NEWELL habitat Preference
Grass types vary widely in florida. in early spring, McMillan first looks for hydrilla and hyacinth mats,“ the Grade-a stuff” where bass lay up during cold fronts or high-pressure situations. after that, his next choices are types of vegetation with vertical stalks such as cattails, round reeds and Kissimmee grass / needle grass( often called“ hay grass”). tour pro Bradley hallman adds lily pad stems to the mix. like cattails, lily pads offer the prime vertical, hard stems bass prefer to spawn near.
HYDRILLA HYACINTH MATS CATTAILS
ROUND REEDS HAY GRASS LILY PADS
specific Zones hallman focuses on dense vegetation such as thick cattail heads during cold fronts. But when warm weather spurs spawning movement, he looks to less dense cover where holes and gaps offer protected nesting spaces. in his fishing neighborhood, that’ s often stands of reeds.
“ the current weather conditions are most relevant to whether you’ re fishing reeds with holes in it, or reeds that are thick, thick, thick,” hallman says.“ they’ re all coming in to spawn, but how far along they are in that process depends on the weather.”
“ as long as the water’ s clean and it’ s 60 degrees or higher, the bass are going to be in the grass, looking to spawn,” McMillan adds.“ When they’ re not spawning, they’ ll be in the thickest grass they can find.” exit Plan
Between spawning waves, bass are less homebound under cloudy, overcast skies or any low-light periods and more inclined to roam through grass and along well-defined edges. Breezy afternoons – even during partly sunny times – will also pull fish out of the grass.
“ the strike zones will be longer,” hallman says of these“ looser” periods.“ they’ ll come farther to get a bait.”
When the weather is stable, hallman anticipates multiple transitions during a day on the water. early mornings typically find the fish patrolling grass edges to feed before tucking under the shady canopies when the sun gets overhead. dimmer light of late afternoon or midday clouds could also stimulate outward movement and more feeding activity – as long as the fish haven’ t committed to beds.
january 2017 i flWfishing. Com 19