Finally seeing some Bass Activity...Now What?

[airborne_angler]

Went out yesterday and as I was cruising some 6-8 ft water I noticed about 3 Bass heading for deeper water as I approached them,they appeared to be spooked by my presence but werent hsauling butt to get out of the area,just cruising into deeper water.. I looked but didnt find any beds.

These were the first Bass I have seen  this year.I estimate the fish to be 1-3# fish.

Later I found something interesting. I was fishing near some large rock cliffs and found a cut into one of the cliffs (see picture)

Backed up in that cut there was a Bass,I pitched a bait to it and it would just spook and go away,it would eventually return though.

I ended up getting out of my boat and climbed up to the top of the cliff with my rod in attempts to try not to spook the fish.The fish just wasnt interested in my offering

Just off that opening sitting about in about a foot of water was a very large fish,I estimate 5# or better,just sitting there suspended. I attempted to toss a bait to it as well and it just cruised intoto deeper water where I coudnt see it anymore.It too eventually returned to that spot as well.

So was the smaller of those 2 fish a male,who had just built a nest,trying to coax that larger fish(a female) in to get her to lay her eggs?

What best describes the behavior I had just noticed?

I did end up catching 2 Bass Yesterday,but Ill post that up in the appropriate section

[gorckat]

What were you tossing?

Would pitching up on the rocks and letting the bait fall into the water invite a bite?

[Bass_Akwards]

I'm not positive but it sounds like the male was guarding the nest as the female does what they do a lot, which is hover nearer deep water with good access to her nest if she needs it.

[FishingBuds]

I have always went by, if I see them then they see me and busted, I have never caught a fish that I seen.

Now when I see movement on top from a distance thats a differant outcome

The pattern to me does sound like what BA described

Now to the cliff, you know a hidden spot now, so when ya come across it again I would toss your lure up against the rock and let it fall down to the water, I have one area thats mostly dropp offs(cliffs) and I usually pitch against the rock and let it fall, unless the bass are holding off further out.

[airborne_angler]

What were you tossing?

Would pitching up on the rocks and letting the bait fall into the water invite a bite?

I was tossing the bightest,largest creature bait I had with me. I tossed the brighter bait so I could see it. Would a Lizard have been a better choice?

If I would have stayed a little longer and been more patient,im sure I would have hooked up,but I just wasnt into spending that much time on one single fish.

[Edro]

Try a smaller bait, Maybe a tube with a 1/8 ounce tube jig. If the bass grabs the skirt and moves it out of the nest trim the skirt down.  Try smaller so the fish is not spooked.  Oh and back off  your spot.

[Paul Roberts]

Sounds like a spawning pair.

[brushhoggin]

I'm with bass akwards, males were guarding the nest while the females went deep. I've fished a brush hog or a lizard very slowly in front of a males face sight fishing, even after casting well beyond them, without a bite. they swat at it but its 100% territorial. finally after pestering him for at least 10 casts, he bit it purely out of reaction on more of an erratic swimming retrieve, right in front of his face

[Red Bear]

i wouldve tried pulling a spinnerbait right past them a few times to try and provoke a reaction bite.