Ive found on the big "D" that I seldom catch the big females shallower than 8-12 feet. If I think the boys are on the beds I usually stay 12-22ft and catch mainly fat females. I have caught multiple colored up males in 12-15ft.
I have strictly bass fished tourneys for the last 25+ years and you would be AMAZED at the different locations Ive caught bass on beds, on top of trees along bluffs over 50ft of water, along bluff ledges 12-15 feet deep surrounded by 70-100 ft deep, in clear water beds in 18-22 ft. these fish dont read those books "they react to the environment they live in" so keep an open mind............