John Cox breaks down his flipping technique for bedding bass during the spawn, explaining how he targets shallow fish and triggers aggressive bites. At a high level, his method involves making soft-landed pitches into key areas using a crawfish plastic lure while adjusting the retrieve until the bass commit.
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- PLASTIC – Berkley MaxScent Crud Craw, color – Green Pumpkin/Pearl White: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- HOOK – Gamakatsu G-Power Heavy Cover Worm Flip Punch Hook, 4/0: Buy at Bass Pro Shops | Buy at Tackle Warehouse
- WEIGHT – Tungsten Worm, Flippin & Punching Weights, 3/4-ounce: Buy at Tackle Warehouse
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- REEL – Abu Garcia Zenon™ X Low Profile Reel, 8.3:1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
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Finding Bedding Bass in the Spawn
Targeting bedding fish is one of the best ways to catch bass in Florida. Bass slide into shallow, hard-bottom areas during the spawn, but dark, tannic water makes spotting beds more challenging. Cox looks for light patches in the water and subtle movements to locate fish actively guarding nests.
Bass often group together in prime spawning areas, which is why anglers fish close to each other during tournaments. The key is finding firm-bottomed locations like shell beds or sand patches, as bass avoid spawning on soft, muddy bottoms.
Flipping a Craw for Bedding Bass
Cox has had excellent results using the Berkley MaxScent Crud Bug to provoke bedding bass into striking. He rigs it backward, exposing the white belly for better visibility in dark water. This helps him see when a bass inhales the bait, indicating when to set the hook.
It’s essential to keep your flipping bait in the strike zone. The subtle movement of the craw’s claws mimics an egg-eating crawfish threat, triggering an aggressive reaction from protective bass.
Best Setup for Flipping Bedding Bass
A long, sensitive 7’5” medium-heavy, extra-fast rod provides optimal bite detection and hook-setting power. He pairs it with a high-speed casting reel (8.3:1 gear ratio) to quickly pick up slack and drive hooks home. Fishing straight braid provides the strength needed to pull bass from heavy cover.
Why Craw Baits Work for Spawning Bass
Crawfish are egg raiders, and bass instinctively attack them when guarding their fry. In addition to a realistic profile, the MaxScent Crud Bug has a proven scent, enhanced dispersion, and a lifelike action. These characteristics make it a deadly choice when flipping during the spawn.
Boat Setup
- BOAT – Vexus AVX1980: Check out at Vexus
- OUTBOARD – Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury
- SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR – Power Pole 8 ft. Blades: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
- TROLLING MOTOR – Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST, 112lb, 36V, 52″: Buy at Bass Pro Shops
