When Do Bass Spawn in Florida?

Spawning plays a key role in bass fishing. When bass spawn, they nest in shallow grassy areas near the shoreline. They also become visible to fishermen, who are able to target the fish with greater ease. Spawning season, thus, is a favorite time for bass fishing. Bass spawn just once each year, so you need to know when to hit the water. The bass spawning season in Florida, though, is vastly different than in northern states. So it pays to know when the fish will spawn in the Sunshine State, where bass grow to the 10- to 12-pound range.

Geography

The spawning cycle for bass varies according to a range of factors. One such factor is location. State lines provide an obvious dividing line for fishermen trying to identify spawning times in different locales. In the northern half of the United States, most largemouth bass spawn in May and June. In the southern United States, most bass spawn in March and April.

Many Florida anglers follow general guidelines for when bass spawn in the state, but Florida's long peninsular shape means some variation from north to south in spawning seasons. In extreme South Florida, spawning often occurs as early as January. In the Florida Panhandle, though, spawning sometimes does not occur until early May.

Time Frame

Time of year plays a role in bass spawning seasons. In Florida, most bass spawn in the spring between March and April. Some spawning, though, occurs in other months. In December 2008, "Florida Highlands" newspaper reported that spawning started two months earlier than normal.

In addition to time of year, daylight also plays an important part in fish spawning. According to Florida fisherman Wade Bourne's article "Biology of the Bass Spawn," most anglers believe fish spawning occurs primarily during full and new moons.

Considerations

Obviously, bass do not own calendars. Therefore, bass spawn according to weather patterns. In some instances, unseasonable weather will cause bass to spawn during odd months, and unseasonable weather during normal spawning months can delay the process.

Bass spawning begins when the water temperature climbs into the low 60s and continues until the water reaches 80 degrees. Most spawning occurs when the water is between 65 and 70 degrees. Any prolonged weather pattern that warms the water to the desired water temperature could lead to spawning.

The success of spawning, as measured by the number of hatched fry that result, can be affected by weather patterns, too. A prolonged cold front that drops the water temperature below 60 degrees is enough to cause fry kills.

Benefits

For anglers, the spawning season creates a perfect time to catch fish. Males swim to shallow waters and establish nests in water that is generally 2 to 4 feet deep. The males prefer nest sites with sandy or gravel bottoms where logs, stumps and other vegetation provide cover from waves and current. Males establish the nest and attract females. Thus, both male and female bass can be found in the shallow waters during spawning season.

Bass, though, eat less while spawning, too. To allow for reduced eating, they use the time immediately prior to spawning to consume large amounts of food. Their pre-spawning appetites provide anglers with another advantage. Through using lures such as rattletraps, plastic worms, jigs, spinners and crankbaits, anglers can find hungry fish in water below 15 feet.

Misconceptions

Some anglers believe female bass only spawn once. Most females, though, spawn with as many as five male bass per season. After laying eggs, the male bass fertilizes them at the nest site. Then the female leaves to spawn with other males. The males, who guard the nest site, also spawn multiple times. They attempt to lure female fish to their location near the other nest site. Hatching occurs two to three days after the eggs are laid.

Warning

Catching and keeping female bass during spawning season reduces the potential for bass to reproduce in the lake, which affects bass populations for future generations. If you catch a spawning female bass, carefully release her into the water as quickly as is possible.

Identification

Anglers can find spawning fish by looking into clear water for areas on the bottom that appear to have white or black blotches 1 to 3 feet wide. Male fish normally can be found at the bed site. If the bed is empty, it might mean the male bass darted away and is usually still nearby the bed. If you move away from the spot and allow him some time to return, you can still hook him.

References

• Biology of Bass Spawning
• Early Spawning
• U.S. Bass Spawning Season Map

Resources

• Bass Spawning Information