Patience is key for bass anglers — and bass fans. This will likely pay off for both as tournament days progress.
With the understanding that no one can fully predict what a Florida bass will do — after all, they are the moodiest creature on planet Earth — there are a few firm truths here.
First, the “perfect storm” scenario has been well reported — last night’s full moon, a cold front prior and a solid warming trend spanning the tournament days. These are real-world factors that absolutely influence bass behavior, but at the end of the day, the big female fish will “go” when they’re good and ready.
As of mid-morning, BassTrakk has yet to reflect those limits of high-20 to 30-plus pounds that many believe are possible this week. But don’t worry, fireworks are likely to happen later in the day.
For one thing, anglers have reported seeing lots of small male bass hanging around beds. Typically, they only do this when they’re anticipating arriving females. If a big spawning wave occurs, it generally happens in the day’s latter half, as increasing sun exposure raises shallow water temperatures.
Anglers have reported temperatures in the low to mid-60s, which is well into spawning range. Good news is that it’s only going to get better.
Helpful is the fact that anglers launched into a warm morning. Overnight lows are critical, especially during the spawn and last night only dipped into the low 60s.
Takeoff temperature was 64 degrees — twice what anglers saw on the first morning of last week’s Elite season-opener on the St. Johns River. Today’s forecast shows highs in the low 80s, so the stage is set for a strong afternoon movement.
Exactly which day or days that will occur is up to the fish. The later flights will have maximum access to the afternoon access, but if someone pulls up to the right spot just as a handful of chunky mamas make their move, it could be lights-out in a matter of minutes.
Last week, fourth-place finisher John Cox lit up the Day-3 weigh ins with a mega-bag that weighed 31 pounds, 15 ounces. The same quality lives in the Harris Chain, so don’t be surprised to the see the dirty 30 this week.
This one will likely plod along for a while and then pick up steam as the day progresses. Let’s just be patient and see how things pan out.