| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning to warmer shallow areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves before spawning
- Fish are holding on transitional rock structure, particularly ledges where hard bottom meets scattered rock in 6-10 foot depth range
| - Rock ledges transitioning into scattered rock in 6-10 feet of water
- Rocky points with nearby deeper water access
- Hard-bottom transition areas near potential spawning flats
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
- Tubes dragged along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs worked slowly on rock ledges
| - Perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, moving along depth transitions and utilizing emerging weed growth
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation
- Inside weed edges in 8-12 foot transitions near spawning flats
- Protected coves with early vegetation growth
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs along weed transitions
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in areas of developing cover
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-65 | - Fish are moving from winter deep water areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively seeking warmer water
- Males beginning to prepare and defend nesting sites in protected rocky areas, while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with aggressive territorial behavior near spawning areas
| - Rocky flats and points in 4-8 foot depth range with nearby deeper water
- Protected bays with hard bottom composition
- Transition areas where rock piles meet emerging vegetation in 6-12 foot range
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas
- Ned Rigs deadsticked on transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small perch in transitional areas
- Minnows schooling in pre-spawn patterns
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving between deeper staging areas and spawning zones as temperatures fluctuate
- Males actively preparing and guarding nests in protected areas, while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning flats
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased feeding activity during pre-spawn
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and emerging vegetation
- Inside weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
- Transition areas between deeper staging areas and spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around emerging vegetation and shallow cover
- Spinnerbaits along weed edges and transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre-spawn fish
- Shakey Heads for deeper staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Small baitfish in staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but somewhat scattered due to the 'spawn funk' mentioned in reports
- Fish are holding on hard structure (boulders and reefs) in moderate depths, with water temperatures (68-72°F) indicating active feeding periods
| - Boulder fields and rock piles in 12-18 foot depth range
- Reef edges near spawning flats
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
| - Drop Shot - confirmed effective in recent reports, especially with finesse presentations
- Ned Rigs - excellent for tentative post-spawn fish around rocky structure
- Tubes - classic presentation for smallmouth around boulder fields
| - Minnows - confirmed primary forage in recent reports
- Crawfish - typically active in rocky areas during this period
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to matted grass areas and weed edges
- Fish are establishing predictable daily patterns, moving between deeper sanctuary areas and shallow feeding zones
| - Matted grass edges, particularly where they meet slightly deeper water
- Inside weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Points and irregular shoreline features with emerging vegetation
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges
- Swim Jigs through scattered grass
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around matted grass
| - Bluegill establishing in shallow weed areas
- Young of year baitfish beginning to show in numbers
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
