Brandon Coulter breaks down a smart approach for locating and catching bass during the spawn. As water temperatures rise and fish move shallow, Coulter focuses on targeting bed fish without relying on electronics. Instead, he uses a swimbait to cover water and trigger reactions from fish holding near a bed, stump, or shallow water structure, and a follow-up finesse bait to maximize bites.
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Using a Swimbait to Locate Fish
Coulter relies on a large swimbait to draw fish out of cover. This approach works for two key reasons. First, aggressive fish will commit and strike. Second, neutral fish often reveal their position by following or flashing on the bait. Because of that, the swimbait becomes a search tool. Instead of randomly casting, Coulter targets every stump, dark spot, and visible piece of structure. This allows Coulter to quickly identify active areas. He also modifies the swimbait with a nail weight. This adjustment helps the bait track better and allows for a faster retrieve.
Breaking Down Stumps and Bed Areas
Once a fish shows itself, Coulter slows down and switches tactics. He returns to the exact stump or bed where the fish reacted. From there, he selects a follow-up finesse bait based on the situation. In many cases, he uses a presentation that keeps the bait slightly elevated off the bottom. That positioning keeps it in the strike zone longer. It also triggers fish guarding a bed or staging nearby.
Matching Your Follow-Up Finesse Bait
Coulter avoids a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, he adjusts based on what he sees. If the fish appears aggressive, he may stick with a reaction bait. However, if it looks hesitant, he switches to a slower presentation. That flexibility leads to more bites. It also helps convert follows into catches. By letting the fish dictate the approach, Coulter stays efficient while maximizing opportunities.
