| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving along migration routes from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning flats, holding at intermediary structure
| - Deep points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats in 12-15 foot range
- Secondary points with access to deep water in 8-12 foot range
- Deep weed edges where remaining winter vegetation meets hard bottom
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom contours
- Lipless Crankbaits with stop-and-go retrieves over transitional areas
- Football Jigs dragged slowly on points and channel swings
| - Bluegill concentrating near remaining deep vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active as water warms
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are feeding aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warming trends
- Movement patterns show fish following transition routes from deep winter haunts to shallow spawning flats
| - Secondary points and rock piles adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 foot depth range
- Deep water access points near shallow spawning flats with hard bottom composition
- Wind-blown rocky banks and points that warm quickly on sunny days
| - Drop Shot with slow, subtle presentations in deeper staging areas
- Tubes worked methodically along rocky transition areas
- Ned Rigs worked with subtle hops on secondary points
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in pre-spawn patterns
- Juvenile bluegill in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass transitioning from pre-spawn to spawning behavior, starting in deeper water (8-12ft) early and moving to shallower spawning flats as water warms
- Fish actively feeding during pre-spawn period to build energy reserves for spawning, becoming more territory-focused as they establish spawning areas
| - Deep weed edges in 8-12 foot range with clean grass
- Shallow spawning flats adjacent to deep water access
- Protected coves and bays with stable water temperature
| - Bladed Jigs worked along weed edges and through spawning flats
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to spawning areas
- Swim Jigs for covering water and locating active fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in and around vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 61-70 | - Smallmouth bass are actively spawning, with fish locked on beds in 2-4 feet of water on hard-bottom areas
- Males are aggressive in defending nests, making them susceptible to sight fishing presentations
- Non-spawning fish are cruising shallow areas nearby, actively feeding during the warming trend
| - Rock flats in 2-4 feet of water with visible beds
- Rocky reefs adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected areas near reed beds with hard bottom
| - Drop Shot with light weights for precise bed presentations
- Neko Rigs worked slowly around visible beds and adjacent areas
- Wacky Rigs for cruising fish near spawning areas
| - Bluegill moving into shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish active on rocky substrate
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth actively feeding on bluegill in 8-12 foot depth range, recovering energy after spawning
- Fish transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, utilizing docks and weed edges as primary feeding zones
| - Deep weed edges in 8-12 foot range where bass are actively feeding
- Docks adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with access to deeper water
- Secondary points with vegetation near spawning bays
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around docks and weed edges
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') targeting active fish feeding on bluegill
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking bluegill in the 8-12 foot range
| - Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple recent reports
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in weed edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 61-68 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from spawning to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn
- Fish are utilizing both shallow and mid-depth zones, making frequent movements between recovery areas and feeding zones
| - Rock piles and reef structures in 8-12 foot depth range
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer structure
- Points and humps adjacent to spawning bays
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations in 8-12 foot range
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Tubes dragged through rocky areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill beginning their spawn cycle
- Small baitfish schools forming in post-spawn areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
