| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 47-60 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn locations, actively feeding to build energy for spawning. Fish are moving into shallow areas (2-5ft) near potential spawning locations, especially around lily pad stems and rip rap.
- Feeding activity increases during warmer days, with fish actively chasing moving baits and responding to reaction presentations. Cold fronts can temporarily slow activity, pushing fish to deeper structure.
| - Lily pad stems in 2-4 feet of water, particularly areas that will support early growth
- Wind-blown rip rap banks and points in 2-5 feet of water
- Shallow submerged vegetation adjacent to potential spawning flats
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along rip rap and transition areas
- Spinnerbaits around lily pad stems and vegetation, especially on sunny days
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in areas where bass are staging near potential spawning sites
- Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation and pad stems
| - Shad moving into shallow areas, particularly around vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active on hard bottom areas and rip rap
- Bluegill in and around emerging vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
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| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass are actively moving into spawning areas, with evidence of bed fanning as noted in recent reports. They are utilizing lily pad stalks and other shallow cover as pre-spawn staging areas.
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior in multiple depth zones, from shallow pad fields to dock areas, indicating a mix of pre-spawn and spawning activity.
| - Lily pad fields and remaining pad stalks from previous season, particularly in protected areas
- Rip rap banks and points, especially those adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Docks providing overhead cover near spawning areas
| - Swim Jigs worked through and around lily pad stalks
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along rip rap
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover
- Frogs/Toads around emerging vegetation
| - Bluegill, especially around hard cover and vegetation edges
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in shallows
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
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| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-75 | - Bass are actively feeding in shallow water, particularly around lily pad beds, as they recover from spawning and water temperatures increase
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and starting to respond to surface presentations, showing increased willingness to chase prey
| - Lily pad beds, especially those adjacent to slightly deeper water
- Shallow firm-bottom areas with emerging vegetation
- Rip rap areas along points and shorelines
| - Buzzbaits worked across lily pad beds and open pockets
- Hard Topwater (Popping) worked around vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working through dense cover
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Shad schools moving into warmer shallow water
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
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