| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning to pre-spawn patterns, staging near spawning areas and actively feeding. They are particularly relating to dock structures, using them as staging points and ambush locations.
- Fish are showing a clear preference for slower presentations with subtle movements, as evidenced by the success of shakey head techniques with methodical retrieves.
| - Back sections of docks, particularly those near potential spawning flats
- Grass lines adjacent to spawning pockets
- Protected coves with brush piles
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly with subtle drags and pauses, particularly effective when skipped under docks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock posts and grass edges
- Bladed Jigs worked slowly along transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
| - Perch are a primary forage target during this pre-spawn period
- Shad schools in staging areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
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| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 54-62 | - Spotted bass are staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning. Fish are making gradual movements from winter areas to spawning pockets, following shad schools.
- Most active during warmer parts of the day, relating heavily to transition areas between deep water access and spawning flats
| - Main lake points and secondary points leading into spawning pockets
- Rock piles and riprap in 5-9 foot depth range
- Docks adjacent to deeper water with clear migration routes to spawning areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked with stop-and-go retrieve along transition areas
- Spinnerbaits slow-rolled near structure in stained water
- Bladed Jigs worked around dock posts and rock transitions
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 52-62 | - Actively staging in pre-spawn areas, particularly in river channels and adjacent points with water temperatures rising through the 50s
- Feeding aggressively on shad schools in shallow to mid-depth zones, especially during low-light periods due to turbid conditions
- Moving between staging areas and spawning zones, following main river channel contours
| - Main river channel bends and adjacent points with current
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water access
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along channel edges and points
- Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) slow-rolled in current areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked through staging areas
| - Large schools of pre-spawn shad
- Smaller baitfish congregating in warming shallows
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on brush and other structure for spawning sites
- Fish are transitioning between pre-spawn feeding and spawning behavior, becoming territorial around nesting sites
| - Shallow brush piles in protected areas, especially in coves and pockets
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
- Matted grass areas in shallow water providing spawning cover
| - Bladed Jigs worked slowly around shallow cover
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible cover
- Swim Jigs for covering water between spawning areas
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow areas
- Shad moving into spawning areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 54-62 | - Spotted bass are transitioning into spawning mode, moving from pre-spawn staging areas to shallow spawning locations, particularly around hard bottom areas and rock piles
- Fish are actively feeding on shad in the shallows while seeking suitable spawning locations, making them susceptible to reaction baits
| - Rock piles in 0-9 foot depth range, especially those near spawning flats
- Protected coves with hard bottom composition
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked around rock piles and points
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for imitating shad
| - Shad schooling in shallow water
- Smaller baitfish gathering in spawning pockets
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Striped Bass | 52-62 | - Actively migrating along river channels and staging near points during pre-spawn with 54°F water temperature
- Feeding periods intensify during low-light conditions due to turbid water (1.9m secchi depth)
- Moving into shallower staging areas near current breaks and rock structure
| - River channel bends adjacent to rock points with current
- Main lake points near river channel intersections
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water migration routes
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along channel edges
- Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish in current areas
- Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) worked slowly near structure
| - Shad concentrated in river channels and around points
- Bluegill in shallow rocky areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 69-74 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding during morning and evening with movement to deeper water during midday sun
- Fish showing clear daily movement patterns - starting shallow and moving to 7-10 foot depths as sun gets higher
- Actively chasing moving baits around cover, suggesting aggressive post-spawn feeding behavior
| - Points and sand bars in 7-10 feet of water for midday feeding
- Matted grass areas providing shade and ambush points
- Overhanging trees and laydowns with mayfly activity
- Seawalls and docks offering shade and structure
| - Swim Jigs worked through grass and around cover
- Bladed Jigs (ChatterBaits) on points and along seawalls
- Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation in clearer water areas
- Texas Rigged soft plastics skipped under overhanging cover
| - Shad - primary forage based on multiple reports
- Mayflies - creating surface activity around trees
- Bluegill - indicated by successful natural colored baits
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 54-62 | - Spotted bass are actively chasing shad in the post-spawn period, primarily relating to points and shallow structure in 10 feet or less
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in stained water conditions, responding well to moving baits that create vibration and flash
| - Long points in 10 feet or less with access to deeper water
- Rocky points and transition areas near spawning pockets
- Shallow hard structure areas with shad presence
| - Spinnerbaits slow rolled around points and structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points
- Bladed Jigs worked through shad-holding areas
| - Shad (primary forage based on multiple reports)
- Small baitfish congregating near points
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 54-68 | - Post-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad in river channels and main lake points where current exists
- Fish are making transitional movements from spawning areas to summer haunts, following bait schools and responding to warming water temperatures
- Most active during low-light periods due to turbid conditions (1.9m Secchi depth), with dawn feeding windows being particularly productive
| - River channel areas with current, especially where they intersect with main lake points
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning areas where fish stage during their transition
- Shallow flats near deep water access where shad schools are present
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along channel edges and points to mimic shad
- Umbrella Rigs for actively feeding fish in open water near points
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding on structure
| - Shad schools congregating near points and channel edges
- Various baitfish species transitioning to summer patterns
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
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