Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 54-64 | - Bass are actively staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter depths to shallower transitional areas near spawning flats
- Fish are feeding opportunistically but deliberately, with periods of aggressive schooling behavior noted when chasing bait
| - Grass lines and points adjacent to spawning flats
- Shallow flats with stumps and vegetation
- Areas with cattails and lily pads near shoreline
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around vegetation
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') for active fish
- Drop Shot for more finicky fish
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Shad schools in open water and around points
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 55-65 | - Crappie are staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding while preparing for the spawn. With water temperatures rising, they are transitioning from deeper winter areas to shallower pre-spawn staging areas
- Fish are becoming more active and aggressive, particularly during stable weather periods, and showing increased response to moving baits
| - Brush piles positioned in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning flats
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation leading into spawning coves
- Deeper edges of emerging lily pad fields in protected coves
| - Crappie Spider Rigging near brush piles and along depth transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around emerging vegetation and brush
- Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) across points and flat edges
| - Small shad and minnows in pre-spawn congregations
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Small bluegill and sunfish near vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Bass transitioning into spawning phase with water temperatures between 58-65°F, actively moving between staging areas and shallow spawning flats
- Fish showing increased activity levels during daylight hours, with some beginning to lock onto beds while others remain in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Main lake points with nearby spawning flats, particularly those with submerged vegetation to 8 feet
- Secondary points with structure, serving as key staging areas
- Protected shallow areas with emerging vegetation, especially in coves where beds are being established
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations, proven effective on staging fish around points
- Hard Jerkbaits worked methodically around vegetation edges and points
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting fish moving into shallow vegetation and bedding areas
| - Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
- Bluegill starting to move shallow with rising temperatures
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Staging near mid-depth brush piles at 67°F, transitioning into spawning phase
- Active during daylight hours, showing strong response to vertical presentations
- Concentrating in upper water column due to moderate staining, especially during feeding periods
| - Brush piles in 10-19 foot depth range, especially those near spawning flats
- Protected coves with submerged vegetation
- Secondary points with brush or wood cover
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Spider Rigging
- Crappie Dock Shooting
| - Shad and small baitfish
- Young of year panfish
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 57-66 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, with some males still guarding fry while others are actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing mixed behavior patterns - some active and chasing moving baits while others are still relating to spawning areas
| - Docks and seawalls adjacent to spawning flats
- Points near spawning areas
- Shallow grass edges and vegetation transitions
| - Drop Shot for suspended fish around docks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for fish holding tight to cover
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') for actively feeding fish
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
- Shad schools moving into post-spawn areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 67-75 | - Crappie are transitioning to post-spawn patterns, moving from shallow spawning areas to slightly deeper structure, particularly brush piles and submerged vegetation edges
- Feeding activity is increasing as fish recover from spawn, with active periods around sunrise and sunset, especially influenced by wind conditions
| - Brush piles in 8-15 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats
- Edges of lily pad fields and submerged vegetation in 6-12 feet
- Protected coves and points with structure, especially on wind-blown sides
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along vegetation edges and between brush piles
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around brush piles and structure
- Crappie Spider Rigging for suspended fish transitioning between areas
| - Small shad and minnows in the 1-2 inch range
- Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|