| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to warmer shallows, staging near spawning areas while actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving into 4-8 foot depths during warming trends, retreating to deeper water during cold fronts
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access
- Docks adjacent to spawning flats, particularly those in 4-8 foot depths
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with submerged vegetation
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly along emerging vegetation and dock edges
- Soft Jerkbaits with subtle twitches and longer pauses
- Shakey Heads worked methodically around dock posts and vegetation edges
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow near emerging vegetation
- Minnows concentrating in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn bluegills moving from winter depths to warmer shallows, staging near spawning areas and actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish becoming more aggressive as water warms, with peak feeding during mid-morning and late afternoon
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 4-8 feet of water
- Dock areas adjacent to deeper water, especially on the north side where water warms faster
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with submerged vegetation
| - Live Bait Rigs under bobbers, worked slowly through the water column
- Finesse Hair Jigs tipped with plastics, using a slow retrieve near structure
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to emerging weed edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Tiny minnows congregating in warming shallows
- Zooplankton becoming more active in the warming water
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats and transitioning to spawning areas in protected coves and around docks
- Males actively building and guarding nests in 2-6 foot depths, while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning zones
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around spawning areas, particularly responsive to sight-feeding opportunities in the moderate clarity
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with submerged vegetation
- Dock areas with adjacent spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cruising pre-spawners
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing bedding bass
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small minnows in warming shoreline areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-75 | - Actively seeking shallow, warmer water areas (2-6 feet) for spawning, with males guarding nests
- Congregating in protected bays and coves where sunlight warms the water more quickly
- Males become increasingly aggressive when guarding nests, making them more likely to strike at small lures
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and scattered vegetation
- Areas adjacent to docks in 2-6 foot depths
- Shallow flats with emerging vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish relating to dock structures
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or insects
| - Small insects and larvae
- Tiny minnows
- Zooplankton
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are relating to submerged vegetation but boat traffic is causing them to be more scattered and less predictable
- Bass are likely to be most active during lower light conditions when boat traffic is reduced
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot depth range
- Dock areas with nearby deep water access
- Protected coves with less boat traffic and vegetation
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations due to pressure and clear water
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through vegetation
- Shakey Heads along dock edges
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Minnows suspending near vegetation edges
| - Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding and recovering energy, typically found in slightly deeper water adjacent to spawning areas
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and nearby deeper water rest areas
| - Weed edges and pockets in 8-10 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats
- Dock areas with submerged vegetation nearby
- Protected coves with stable water conditions
| - Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and light line for natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended at varying depths to find active fish
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through cover
| - Small insects and larvae emerging in warming waters
- Tiny minnows and fry in shallow areas
- Zooplankton in and around vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
