| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-62 | - Fish are transitioning from winter locations to spawning areas, actively feeding in schools along weed flat edges and beginning to stage in back bays
- Feeding activity increases during warmer parts of day, with fish moving between deeper weed flats (5-10 feet) and shallower staging areas
| - Weed flats in 5-10 feet of water, particularly where larger schools of quality fish are holding
- Protected back bays with warming water, especially areas with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas between weed flats and spawning bays where fish stage during pre-spawn
| - Bobbers with small live bait presentations, particularly effective when fan-casting to locate active schools
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs, especially effective once schools are located
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly under bobbers, matching the more deliberate pre-spawn feeding pace
| - Crappie minnows and small baitfish
- Emerging aquatic insects
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Warm Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are beginning to move from deeper wintering areas to transitional staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are starting to feed more aggressively to prepare for spawning, but movements are still relatively slow and methodical
| - Secondary points and channel bends adjacent to spawning bays
- Emerging weed flats in 5-10 feet of water near spawning areas
- Protected coves with early-warming water and developing vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly over emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses to mimic sluggish baitfish
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through transitional areas
| - Lethargic panfish (crappies and bluegills) in transitional areas
- Small crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Baitfish schools congregating near emerging weed growth
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-75 | - Bluegills moving into shallow, protected bays (2-6 feet) to establish spawning beds
- Males becoming aggressive and territorial around nesting sites
- Fish actively feeding in pre-spawn areas near emerging vegetation
| - Protected back bays with firm bottom in 2-6 feet
- Weed flats adjacent to spawning areas in 5-10 feet
- Shallow coves with emerging vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
| - Small insects and larvae emerging in shallow areas
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Newly hatched minnows
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, actively seeking warmer water pockets
- Males preparing and guarding nests in protected shallow areas, females moving between staging and spawning areas
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation in 2-4 feet
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water in 5-8 feet
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas and transition zones
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Shakey Heads for deeper staging areas
| - Bluegills moving shallow with warming water
- Crappies in pre-spawn patterns
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Panfish transitioning to post-spawn feeding patterns, actively searching for food in and around vegetation in 5-10 foot depths
- Fish are schooling actively, moving as groups along weed edges and structure, requiring anglers to stay mobile
| - Weed flats in 5-10 feet of water adjacent to spawning areas
- Edges of emerging lily pad patches, particularly in Daggett Bay
- Secondary points with vegetation near deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with light line and small hooks for natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended 4-6 feet deep over weed tops
- Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation gaps
| - Small aquatic insects emerging from vegetation
- Newly hatched minnows
- Small crustaceans in weed beds
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish moving between shallow and mid-depth areas, following baitfish schools and utilizing emerging weed growth
| - Weed flats in 5-10 feet adjacent to spawning bays
- Points and inside turns where bass stage during transition
- Emerging lily pad patches in shallow bays
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically around emerging vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through scattered weeds
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges
| - Bluegills gathering in emerging weed beds
- Crappies moving shallow to spawn
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
