| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to warming shallow zones, staging near primary spawning areas
- Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warming trends
| - Weed edges in 2-4 feet of water, especially near spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near weed edges
- Lipless Crankbaits burned over emerging vegetation
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to transitional areas
| - Baitfish schools congregating in warming shallows
- Early season crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Actively transitioning from winter depths to shallow warming areas, particularly focusing on 2-4 feet depths near spawning locations
- Seeking stable water temperatures and beginning to feed more aggressively as metabolism increases
- Moving along transition routes between deep wintering areas and shallow spawning locations, using points and rocky areas as staging spots
| - Rocky points and shorelines receiving early spring sun exposure
- Transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning bays
- Secondary points in protected bays with gravel or rock bottom
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transitional breaks
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky points
- Ned Rigs worked methodically through staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in warming shallows
- Young of year perch in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-4 feet) near emerging weed growth and protected coves
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage nearby, making periodic moves between deeper staging areas and spawning flats
| - Protected coves and bays with emerging weed growth in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water access
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for sight fishing bedding bass
- Shakey Heads for pre-spawn staging areas
| - Small panfish and juvenile fish in shallow areas
- Emerging crayfish becoming active in warming water
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Making shallow migrations to pre-spawn staging areas and spawning flats, particularly in 2-4 feet of water where temperatures warm fastest
- Males actively preparing and guarding nests near hard bottom areas, while females stage slightly deeper on nearby structure
- Aggressive territorial behavior, especially from males guarding nests
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom composition
- Rocky points adjacent to spawning flats
- Shallow weed edges near gravel or rock transitions
| - Tubes worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Ned Rigs dragged through staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for aggressive pre-spawn fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in warming shallows
- Young of year perch in vegetated areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding and staging along weed edges in shallow water (2-4 feet), showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits
- Fish are utilizing emerging weed growth as primary cover, moving between shallow feeding zones and slightly deeper sanctuary areas throughout the day
| - Weed lines in 2-4 feet of water, especially where they intersect with points or other structure
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning areas with early weed growth
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with aggressive cadence along weed edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed lines for actively feeding fish
- Soft Jerkbaits worked through gaps in vegetation
| - Young-of-year baitfish starting to emerge in the shallows
- Bluegills moving shallow for their spawn
| - Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing both shallow flats and nearby deeper structure, making frequent moves to feed throughout the day
| - Rocky points adjacent to spawning bays, especially wind-swept areas
- Weed edges in 6-12 feet of water near spawning flats
- Offshore rock piles and gravel transitions in 8-15 feet
| - Tubes worked along rocky transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged slowly on gravel and rock
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved parallel to weed edges
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch and young of the year baitfish
- Juvenile bluegill around emerging weed growth
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
