Fishing Deep Water for Suspended Largemouth Bass

Fishing Deep Water for Suspended Largemouth Bass in Strip Mines

Central Florida strip mines and borrow pits create unique largemouth bass fisheries where fish suspend along thermoclines at 20 to 30 feet rather than relating to shallow cover most anglers target instinctively. Captain Nick Kefalides demonstrates techniques for catching bass in water reaching 60 feet deep, explaining why understanding thermocline positioning and suspended fish behavior matters more than traditional structure fishing in these man-made environments. Mastering deep water suspended bass tactics opens productive fishing in overlooked waters where most anglers struggle because their shallow water approaches don't translate to these vertical fisheries.

Why Do Bass Suspend on Thermoclines in Deep Strip Mines?

Thermoclines create distinct temperature layers where oxygen-rich water meets warmer surface water and cooler depths, concentrating baitfish and positioning bass at specific depths regardless of bottom structure. In deep strip mines lacking extensive shallow cover, bass relate primarily to this temperature/oxygen zone rather than traditional structure like points, humps, or vegetation. The thermocline depth changes seasonally and daily based on weather patterns, making electronics essential for locating the specific depth band holding fish rather than assuming they're at predetermined depths.

How Do You Locate and Target Suspended Bass Effectively?

Finding suspended bass requires reading electronics to identify the thermocline depth and marking fish holding in this zone. Captain Kefalides explains letting fish provide clues through sonar returns showing their depth preference and whether they're scattered or concentrated. Once you've identified where bass suspend, vertical presentations and countdown techniques become necessary for keeping lures in the strike zone long enough to trigger bites. Traditional horizontal retrieves pass through productive depths too quickly when bass are suspended in open water rather than positioned along bottom structure.

What Lures and Rigs Work for Deep Suspended Bass?

Various lures and rigging approaches produce depending on bass mood and feeding activity. Suspending jerkbaits, spoons, drop shot rigs, and swimbaits all work when matched to the specific depth and presentation speed bass respond to on any given day. Experimentation determines the best approach because suspended fish may want fast-moving reaction baits or slow finesse presentations depending on conditions.