CJ made some good points. It could be as early as February if things are right. More likely it's going to be happening from March all the way through May and even June up North. All it takes is 2 or 3 days of very warm water to get the fish up and cruising shallow. If it stays warm fish will lock on and start spawning. If a front blows through it might move the fish off the bank for a few days. They can be pretty catchable then on rip baits and trouts.

I personally do fish for bass on beds. To me it's a challenge and a chance to fish for trophy fish that might not be very catchable otherwise. I'm not going to spend my time harassing 2 pounders, but if I see a good fish on a bed, I'll probably fish for her, maybe catch her, get some pics and release her right back. I caught some fish like this at San Pablo last year and they went right back to their beds. They were skittish afterwards but I'm pretty confident they still spawned successfully that year. It's a personal choice I guess. Some people won't like me because of it, but I just don't believe that I am hurting the fishery by doing it.