| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 43-62 | - Pre-spawn females staging offshore near spawning flats in 10-15 foot depths, moving between deep water and potential spawning areas
- Actively feeding but selective, with a preference for slower-moving presentations in cooler water
| - Offshore humps and structure near spawning flats in 10-15 foot range
- Submerged timber areas in offshore locations
- Secondary points and breaks leading to spawning flats
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses
- Lipless Crankbaits worked near structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around transitional areas
| - Perch - primary forage based on multiple reports
- Bluegill - secondary forage mentioned in reports
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Actively staging near spawning areas, moving from winter depths to pre-spawn transition zones
- Feeding aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly around cover and structure
| - Laydowns and fallen timber in protected coves
- Areas near docks that will become spawning locations
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation
| - Football Jigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and dock posts
- Spinnerbaits parallel to shoreline structure
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are actively spawning and defending beds in shallow water, with some still transitioning from pre-spawn areas
- Males are particularly aggressive when guarding nests, while females move between shallow spawning areas and deeper recovery zones
| - Protected dock areas with suitable spawning substrate
- Main lake points near spawning flats
- River channel edges with current breaks
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses around points
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along channel edges and rocky areas
- Hard Topwater (Prop) in calm conditions around shallow spawning areas
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass actively spawning and protecting beds near shallow protected areas, particularly around docks
- Males aggressively defending nests while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning flats
| - Protected dock areas in shallow water with firm bottom composition
- Secondary points and coves near spawning flats
- Weed edges adjacent to spawning areas serving as staging locations
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around visible beds and dock posts
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting shaded areas under docks
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow and prepare for their own spawn
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth actively feeding in offshore areas, using flooded timber as ambush points for perch
- Fish transitioning to summer patterns, becoming more structure-oriented and aggressive in feeding behavior as they recover from spawn
| - Offshore flats with standing timber in 14-16 foot range
- Secondary points near spawning flats with deep water access
- Defined break lines around 13-16 foot depth with structure
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses around timber
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured fish
- Spinnerbaits worked through timber edges
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-74 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing docks, stumps, and weed edges as recovery zones, making short feeding movements to nearby areas
| - Docks and adjacent shallow areas where spawning recently occurred
- Emerging weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range
- Laydowns and stumps near spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and hard cover
- Swim Jigs along weed edges and between docks
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish near cover
| - Bluegill gathering near docks and shallow cover
- Young of year baitfish starting to emerge
- Crawfish active in warmer shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
