| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter haunts to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, but movements are still relatively methodical
| - Secondary points and inside turns adjacent to spawning bays
- First significant drop-offs near shallow flats with emerging vegetation
- Protected pockets with dark bottom composition for warmth
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12')
- Lipless Crankbaits
- Bladed Jigs
| - Small Perch
- Bluegill
- Crawfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Warm Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) as water temperatures stabilize, with males preparing and guarding nests
- Pre-spawn staging and feeding heavily near spawning areas, utilizing the moderate shoreline development features like small points and bays
- Fish becoming more aggressive and territorial as they prepare for and engage in spawning activities
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom composition, especially near emerging vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds and shallow cover
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and triggering reaction strikes from aggressive pre-spawn fish
- Spinnerbaits worked slowly around emerging vegetation and points
| - Bluegill and sunfish gathering in the same spawning areas
- Young of the year perch in shallow vegetation
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more active and starting to feed aggressively
- Bass establishing patterns around newly emerging weed growth and utilizing various depth zones as water warms
| - Shallow flats adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
- Shoreline areas with developing weed growth in 4-8 foot range
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Spinnerbaits along weed edges and points
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish near drop-offs
| - Young of the year panfish beginning to emerge
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Small baitfish schools forming in post-spawn period
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
