| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-58 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends
- Fish moving along migration routes towards eventual spawning areas, holding on key structure during cold fronts
| - Rocky points and transitions adjacent to deeper wintering areas
- Hard-bottom flats in 8-15 foot range near potential spawning bays
- Sharp breaking ledges with baitfish presence
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along depth transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky structure
- Ned Rigs worked methodically on staging flats
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from winter depths to shallow spawning areas
- Males actively guarding nests in protected areas while females stage nearby on adjacent deeper structure
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and territorial as water temperatures rise
| - Protected shallow bays with gravel or rocky substrate for spawning, especially near points
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water where females stage
- Rocky points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas
| - Tubes worked slowly around spawning areas and transition zones
- Ned Rigs for finesse presentation to pressured fish
- Soft Jerkbaits for aggressive pre-spawn fish
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Young of year perch in shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, moving between shallow transitional areas and nearby deeper structure
- Fish are likely to be found in small groups, aggressively pursuing baitfish in the upper portion of the water column during morning and evening periods
| - Rocky points and ledges in 8-15 foot depth range with access to deeper water
- Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel in 5-12 feet
- Offshore structure near spawning flats in 12-20 foot range
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to depth changes
- Drop Shot with small profile baits targeting suspended fish
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along rocky structure
| - Small baitfish schools suspending near structure
- Crayfish emerging from winter habitats
- Young of year perch in developing weed edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
