| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 50-58 | - Bass are staging in pre-spawn areas at 12-16 feet, particularly around current breaks and wind-protected areas, showing transitional pre-spawn behavior
- Fish are actively feeding but moving slowly due to cooler water temperatures, requiring slower presentation techniques
| - Main lake points and entrances to coves in 10-15 foot depth range
- Current and wind breaks with boulder structure in 12-16 foot range
- Transitional areas between deeper water and potential spawning flats
| - Drop Shot with soft plastics worked very slowly in 12-15 foot depth range
- Hard Jerkbaits with 3-5 second pauses between twitches
- Texas Rigs (Worming) with 1/4 oz tungsten weights fished slowly along bottom structure
| - Shad schools suspended in mid-depth ranges
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas as water warms
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 52-62 | - Fish transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving from deeper winter haunts to shallower transition areas, particularly along points and rock piles
- Increased feeding activity during warming trends, especially around baitfish concentrations near structure
| - Main lake points with rocky structure transitioning from deep to shallow water
- Secondary points in major creek arms with boulder fields
- Wind-blown areas with current breaks near spawning pockets
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along rock transitions
- Lipless Crankbaits around shad schools in transition areas
- Spinnerbaits on windy points during active feeding periods
| - Shad schools consolidating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
- Small bluegill in shallow rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are in pre-spawn to spawning transition, moving from staging areas to spawning flats and coves
- Fish are showing a preference for slow, soft presentations as indicated by recent drop shot and Texas rig success
- Daily movement pattern shows fish transitioning deeper as sun gets higher, suggesting light sensitivity
| - Protected areas in the backs of coves with brush piles
- Boulder-strewn areas near spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through brush and spawning areas
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured or suspended fish
- Shakey Heads around boulders and staging areas
| - Shad schools in pre-spawn patterns
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 58-68 | - Spotted bass transitioning to spawning mode, with males preparing and guarding nests while females stage nearby
- Fish moving from winter deep water patterns to shallower spawning areas, particularly focusing on rocky areas and points
| - Rocky points and boulder-strewn banks in 3-8 foot depth range
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning pockets
- Protected rocky coves with good sun exposure
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible rock structure
- Shakey Heads worked slowly near spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre-spawn fish
| - Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 59-71 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding on shad in 10-15 foot depths with movement to deeper water as the day progresses
- Fish showing aggressive feeding behavior early, becoming more selective during bright conditions, with clear patterns of relating to wind-generated current
| - Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those with boulder structure
- Rocky shorelines with larger boulders where shad are present
- Steep bluff walls in 18-22 foot range
| - Drop Shot in 10-15 foot depths, especially effective during midday
- Hard Jerkbaits worked around rocky shores when shad are present
- Medium Diving Crankbaits on windy points in 12-15 foot depths
- Football Jigs worked along deeper structure and points
| - Shad - primary forage with schools actively present
- Crawfish - secondary forage especially around rocky structure
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn spotted bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are following shad schools and utilizing current breaks near points and rock piles for ambush opportunities
| - Rocky points with access to deeper water, especially those with wind-driven current
- Offshore rock piles and boulder fields in 12-20 foot range
- Secondary points and transitions in tributary arms where shad are congregating
| - Drop Shot with small profile baits worked methodically around rock structure
- Shakey Heads worked along depth transitions near points
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to rocky banks and over points
| - Shad schools moving along points and depth transitions
- Crawfish emerging from rocky areas during warmer periods
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
