Summary

Depth: Most lakes average less than 6 feet.
Common Perception: Shallow water fishing is more associated with Florida.
Deep Water Fishing: Exists in the form of old mines and borrow pits.
Central Florida: Filled with mines and borrow pits that are often deep and rich in fish.
In The Spread Trip: Visited a deep water mine in late October to demonstrate largemouth bass fishing using electronics.
Mine Depth: Up to 60 feet deep in various areas.
Bass Behavior: Most bass were suspended on a thermocline in 20 to 30 feet of water.
Thermocline: A layer that develops when a body of water stratifies with warm water on top and cooler water below.
Fishing Tips: Focus on the thermocline, let the fish provide clues, and try various lures and rigs to determine the best approach.

Fishing Suspended Bass

Florida's Unique Bass Fishing Landscape
When thinking of bass fishing in Florida, the image that typically comes to mind is that of shallow lakes, no more than 6 feet in depth. This shallow water fishing is, indeed, what most associate with the Sunshine State. However, there's another intriguing side to this narrative: the deep water fishing in old mines. The truth is, Central Florida is a patchwork of mines and borrow pits, many of which plunge to great depths and are teeming with fish.

The Deep Dive into Mines with In The Spread and Nick Kefalides

In late October, In The Spread teamed up with seasoned angler, Nick Kefalides, for an expedition to one such deep-water mine. The goal? To share strategies on using advanced electronics to uncover the mine's underwater topography, pinpoint where the bass are, and discern their behavior. Astoundingly, some parts of this mine reached depths of 60 feet.

Discovering the Secrets of the Thermocline

What we unearthed during this adventure was quite enlightening. A majority of the bass were not huddled on the lake bed, but rather suspended in a thermocline, found 20 to 30 feet below the water's surface. For those unfamiliar, a thermocline is a layer that forms in water bodies when warmer, less dense water floats atop cooler, denser water. This intermediary layer, the thermocline, boasts higher oxygen levels, making it the prime hangout spot for bass and baitfish. In essence, when fishing in such conditions, consider the thermocline your new "bottom."

Mastering the Art of Fishing Suspended Bass

While fishing for suspended bass might seem daunting, it's all about understanding their language. Our video tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on dissecting a deep-water mine environment to effectively target Florida largemouth bass. With the expertise of our "ninja guide" Nick Kefalides, we explored a plethora of bass lures and rigs. From Carolina rigs, crank baits, flutter spoons, to lipless crank baits and Texas rigs, we delved deep into determining which presentation would entice those elusive bites. The key is persistence: cover as much ground as you can, observe, adapt, and soon enough, you'll sync with the rhythm of the bass, ensuring a rewarding fishing experience.

Dive deep, explore, and let Florida's hidden deep-water mines surprise you with their bass fishing potential.

FAQ
What is the average depth of lakes for bass fishing in Florida?
Lakes for bass fishing in Florida, for the most part, average less than 6 feet in depth.

Is deep water fishing common in Florida?
Deep water fishing is not something that most anglers associate with Florida, but it does exist in the form of old mines.

What did 'In The Spread' and Nick Kefalides discover in their trip?
They traveled to a deep water mine and shared techniques on how to catch largemouth bass using electronics to explore the mine's structure. They found that most of the bass were suspended on a thermocline in 20 to 30 feet of water.

What is a thermocline?
A thermocline develops when a body of water stratifies, with warm, less dense water on top and cooler, denser water below. The intermediate layer is the thermocline. Oxygen levels are higher from the thermocline up, making it a preferred spot for bass and bait fish.

How should one approach fishing for suspended bass?
Fishing suspended bass can be challenging, but one should let the fish provide clues. Various lures and rigs, such as Carolina rigs, crank baits, flutter spoons, and Texas rigs, can be used to determine the best approach. It's essential to cover as much water as possible until you discern the fish's behavior.