| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 55-65 | - Spotted bass are transitioning into pre-spawn behavior, actively feeding and moving into staging areas. Recent reports show aggressive strikes on moving baits with fish responding well to jerking presentations with pauses.
- Fish are utilizing mid-depth zones and relating strongly to cover, showing increased aggression as water temperatures climb into upper 50s.
| - Laydowns in pre-spawn staging areas, particularly those near deeper water access
- Main lake humps that provide staging areas near spawning pockets
- Points and ledges adjacent to spawning coves
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with slow cadence and long pauses
- Spinnerbaits retrieved quickly around cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked along staging areas
| - Shad - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Smaller baitfish gathering in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, moving from deep winter spots to shallower feeding areas as they prepare for spawning
- Fish become more active as water temperatures rise, making frequent movements between deep and shallow zones while seeking optimal temperature ranges
- Aggressive feeding patterns emerge as bass build energy reserves for spawning
| - Points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with rip rap
- Deeper vegetation edges at 20ft that transition to spawning areas
- Secondary points with access to both deep and shallow water
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional depths
- Bladed Jigs around vegetation edges and riprap
- Football Jigs worked slowly along points and deep structure
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming active on rocky structure
- Bluegill starting to move shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 58-68 | - Spotted bass transitioning into spawning phase, making periodic movements between staging areas and shallow spawning flats
- Actively feeding on shad around laydowns and other shallow cover, as evidenced by recent fishing success with swimbaits
| - Laydowns in spawning pockets, particularly those near deeper water access
- Main lake points with woody cover that serve as staging areas
- Protected shallow coves with complex shoreline development
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with a choppy retrieve as confirmed by recent success
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around laydowns
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline cover
| - Shad - primary forage confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming spring waters
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving between 5-15 feet of depth as they prepare for spawning
- Males actively searching for and creating spawning beds in protected areas, while females stage slightly deeper
- Aggressive territorial behavior around spawning areas, with increased reaction strikes
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom composition
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Areas near deep water access with emerging vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for cruising fish between spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to spawning flats
| - Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas
- Shad schools in slightly deeper transitional areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 65-78 | - Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy and moving between shallow and mid-depth zones
- Showing preference for ambush points near deep water access, particularly around grass edges and laydowns
| - Grass edges at 20ft deep on secondary points
- Laydowns on steep banks
- Main lake points with deep water access
| - Drop Shot along grass edges and depth transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to structure
- Shakey Heads worked along laydowns and points
| - Shad - primary forage based on recent reports
- Smaller baitfish around vegetation edges
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-82 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and feeding on main lake structures, particularly utilizing deeper water during the day (15-25ft) as evidenced by recent catches at 20ft
- Fish are showing a preference for steep break areas near points, likely staging between spawning areas and summer depths while feeding on shad
| - Main lake points with steep drop-offs to 20ft, particularly those adjacent to spawning bays
- Deep submerged vegetation in 15-20ft range where present
- Secondary points with access to deep water
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along bottom contours of points
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for suspended fish
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along point contours
| - Shad - primary forage as confirmed by fishing reports
- Bluegill - secondary forage near vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Shad Colors
|
