[VIDEO] Finding Florida Bass – Local Pro’s Tricks for Spawning Areas

Jessie Mizell breaks down how he targets bass in shallow spawn areas using a simple, deliberate approach. He starts in protected pockets and small bays where bass either sit on beds or stage just outside them. These fish often hold in only a foot to a foot and a half of water. Because of that, Mizell focuses on stealth, soft presentations, and precise casts.

Featured Product

Jerkbait Setup

• JERKBAIT – Rapala X-Rap: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• ROD – 13 Fishing Oath Casting Rod 7’1″: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• REEL – 13 Fishing Concept A2 Casting Reel, 7.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops

Stickbait Setup

• PLASTIC – Stickbait Plastic: Shop Stickbait Plastics at Bass Pro Shops
• HOOK – VMC Redline Hybrid Worm Hook 5/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• ROD – 13 Fishing Myth Casting Rod, 7’2” Medium Heavy – Fast: Buy at Bass Pro Shop
• REEL – 13 Fishing Concept A2 Casting Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops

Frog Setup

• FROG – SPRO Bronzeye Poppin’ Frog 60, color – Killer Gill: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• ROD – 13 Fishing Myth Casting Rod, 7’6” Heavy – Fast: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• REEL – 13 Fishing Concept A2 Casting Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• LINE – Sufix 832 Braided Line Lo-Vis Green, 65-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops

Flipping Setup

• PLASTIC – Rapala CrushCity Bronco Bug: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• ROD – 13 Fishing Oath Casting Rod 7’4″: Buy at Tackle Warehouse | Buy at FishUSA
• REEL – 13 Fishing Concept A2 Casting Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• LINE – Sufix 832 Braided Line Lo-Vis Green, 65-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops

Baits That Aggravate Spawners

Mizell relies on baits that either irritate or provoke reaction strikes. One key option is a prop-style topwater. It sits in the strike zone and creates subtle disturbance. Even when bass refuse to strike, the bait reveals fish position. Next, he switches to a soft stick bait. He drags it painfully slow. This slower pace triggers reluctant fish. He watches line movement closely and feels for pressure changes. Once a fish picks it up, he sets the hook immediately. When fish roam or stage outside beds, Mizell speeds up. He throws a popping-style topwater to cover water fast. He also uses a frog along cattail edges. This lets him fish closer to thick cover without spooking bass.

Boat Setup

• TROLLING MOTOR – Power Pole MOVE ZR Trolling Motor: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR: Power Pole 8 ft. Blades: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
• GRAPHS – Garmin ECHOMAP Ultra 2 126sv Fish Finder/Chartplotter with Navionics+: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) – Garmin LVS34 LiveScope Plus Live Scanning Sonar Transducer: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
• OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury