| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are feeding opportunistically to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly active during warming trends
| - Vegetation edges adjacent to potential spawning flats in 2-5ft depths
- Protected areas between docks with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock posts and vegetation
- Bladed Jigs worked parallel to transition areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pike staging in shallow bays and near spawning areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Aggressive feeding behavior to build energy reserves before spawning
- Moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 2-3 feet of water
- Edges of weed flats adjacent to deeper water
- Points and breaks near spawning areas that provide quick access to both shallow and deep water
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)
- Spinnerbaits
- Hard Jerkbaits
| - Bluegill congregating in shallow areas
- Small pike and other baitfish
- Early season panfish in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass transitioning from winter deep water to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with feeding activity increasing during stable weather patterns
| - Transition areas between deep wintering holes and spawning flats, particularly near submerged vegetation
- Secondary points and ledges adjacent to spawning areas
- Rocky areas that warm quickly and hold crawfish
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transition areas
- Tubes dragged along rocky bottom structures
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near vegetation edges
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small minnows in transitional areas
- Juvenile bluegill near vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn bass moving from winter areas to shallow spawning flats, staging on first break lines near spawning areas
- Males arriving first to prepare nests in 2-5ft depths, particularly in areas with firm bottom and protection from wind
- Females moving between staging and spawning areas, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Protected shallow flats with submerged vegetation in 2-5ft depths
- First break lines adjacent to spawning flats
- Areas where vegetation edges meet harder bottom composition
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and sparse vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along vegetation edges
- Shakey Heads worked methodically on harder bottom areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pike are moving into shallow, vegetated areas (2-3ft) for spawning, with pre-spawn fish staging near deeper weed edges and points
- Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, followed by more localized movement during actual spawn
| - Shallow vegetated flats in 2-3ft of water, especially near deeper water access
- Ledges and points adjacent to spawning areas
- Protected bays with emerging vegetation
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieve along weed edges
- Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas
| - Bluegill congregating in shallow areas
- Various small fish species moving shallow with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-62 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, with males preparing and guarding nests in protected shallow areas
- Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial, especially around nesting sites
- Pre-spawn feeding activity is high as fish build energy reserves for the spawn
| - Protected shallow bays with gravel or rocky substrate near deeper water
- Submerged vegetation edges in 4-8 foot depth range
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Tubes worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations near potential nest sites
- Soft Jerkbaits for more aggressive pre-spawn fish
| - Smaller crayfish emerging from winter habitat
- Young-of-year bluegill in shallow areas
- Minnows gathering in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Bass are actively cruising shallow areas 2-5ft deep around submerged vegetation during post-spawn period
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, showing increased feeding activity
| - Submerged vegetation in 2-5ft of water
- Shallow flats with mixed vegetation
- Vegetation-dock combinations in protected areas
| - Wacky Rigs worked with light jigging or on the fall
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through vegetation patches
| - Bluegill
- Young of the year baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting bluegills in and around shallow vegetation
- Fish are making frequent transitions between shallow feeding areas and nearby deeper edges for temperature regulation
| - Shallow weed flats in 2-3ft of water with nearby ledges
- Points and bays with emerging vegetation
- Distinct weed edges adjacent to clear flats
| - Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges and through scattered vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near vegetation transitions
- Inline Spinners with steady retrieves in shallow feeding areas
| - Bluegills concentrated in shallow vegetation
- Various panfish species utilizing emerging weed growth
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting baitfish and crawfish around transition areas
- Fish are establishing predictable daily patterns, moving shallow in low light and shifting deeper as the day progresses
- Aggressive feeding behavior during prime periods, especially early morning and evening hours
| - Transition areas between submerged vegetation and deeper ledges
- Protected points and coves with complex structure
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water
| - Drop Shot worked along depth transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water
- Tubes dragged along bottom structure
| - Minnows gathering in warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
- Juvenile bluegill in emerging vegetation
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
