| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Bass actively transitioning from winter deep water areas to shallow warming bays, staging on transition routes
- Feeding becomes more aggressive as water warms, with fish moving up to feed during warm periods
- Males begin searching for spawning areas while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water
| - Secondary points leading into spawning bays with good sun exposure
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water with emerging vegetation
- Protected coves with gradual slopes, particularly near dock areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs around secondary points and transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in staging areas
| - Bluegill congregating in warming shallows
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies are transitioning to shallow spawning areas, actively feeding in preparation for spawn at 65°F
- Fish are relating to submerged vegetation edges, becoming more aggressive in feeding patterns
| - Shallow submerged vegetation in 3-8 feet of water
- Secondary points with vegetation near spawning bays
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs
- Bobbers with small jigs near vegetation edges
| - Small baitfish congregating in warming shallows
- Emerging aquatic insects in vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-68 | - Pre-spawn bass moving from winter areas to shallow spawning flats, staging on adjacent drop-offs
- Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas while females stage nearby
- Increased feeding activity as fish prepare for spawning energy demands
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow boat docks adjacent to spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for cruising pre-spawn fish
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to transitional areas
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow areas
- Young of year baitfish in warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies are transitioning into spawning mode, moving from pre-spawn staging areas into shallow spawning zones, typically 2-6 feet deep near vegetation and structure
- Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as they prepare nesting areas, with peak feeding periods during morning and evening hours
| - Shallow bays and coves with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Protected areas between boat docks where spawning habitat exists
- Transition areas between shallow flats and slightly deeper water serving as staging areas
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around visible cover
- Bobbers with live bait or small jigs suspended at spawn depth
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding tight to dock structures
| - Small minnows gathering in the shallows
- Emerging aquatic insects
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to appear
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are establishing patterns along the deep weed edges and dock areas, making feeding forays into shallower water during prime periods
| - Secondary points and flats adjacent to spawning bays
- Emerging weed edges in 8-15 foot depth range
- Boat dock areas with access to deeper water
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieve along weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through sparse vegetation and dock areas
- Spinnerbaits parallel to developing weed edges
| - Bluegill beginning to establish summer patterns
- Young of year baitfish becoming more prevalent
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 68-75 | - Post-spawn crappies transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, often suspending near emerging weed growth
- Actively feeding to recover from spawn, with increased activity during morning and evening periods
| - Weedline edges in 8-15 feet of water, especially near points or inside turns
- Deeper boat docks providing shade and structure
- Suspended fish over deeper water adjacent to spawning flats
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Crappie Spider Rigging
- Crappie Dock Shooting
| - Small minnows and juvenile baitfish
- Aquatic insects emerging near weed growth
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
