| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn crappies staging in transitional areas between winter deep water and shallow spawning zones, actively feeding during warming trends
- Fish becoming more active but remaining concentrated in schools, often relating to the first available structure they encounter moving up from winter holes
| - Transition areas between deep winter holes and shoreline, particularly where docks intersect these routes
- Deeper dock edges in 6-8 feet of water where gradual slopes meet structure
- Any brush or woody debris along the gradual slope transitions
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Bobbers
| - Small minnows and fry moving into warming shallows
- Emerging aquatic insects near structure
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are feeding aggressively to prepare for spawning, primarily in the upper water column due to limited light penetration
- Due to the turbid water and shallow nature of the lake, bass will be highly structure-oriented, especially around docks and subtle depth changes
| - Docks with deeper water access, especially those near subtle depth changes
- Secondary points and transitions leading to potential spawning areas
- Bowl-shaped contours where depth changes occur, even if subtle
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through staging areas with erratic retrieves
- Bladed Jigs around dock posts and along transitions
- Spinnerbaits parallel to dock lines and through transition areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around dock structures
- Small baitfish schooling in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies moving into shallow staging areas (2-6 feet) near spawning sites, particularly around available man-made structure like docks
- Aggressive feeding periods during dawn and dusk, with fish becoming more active as water temperatures rise
| - Protected areas between docks in 2-6 foot depths where spawning may occur
- Gradual slope transitions leading to spawning areas
- Any brush or woody structure near shoreline areas
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small minnows and fry
- Aquatic insects
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Bass actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around docks and any available hard bottom areas due to limited natural cover
- Males staging and creating beds in 2-4 feet of water, with females moving in and out during prime spawning temperatures
| - Protected dock areas with hard bottom in 2-4 feet of water
- Subtle depth transitions near shoreline in the upper 6 feet of the water column
- Any isolated pieces of cover (wood, rock) in shallow water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock areas and any visible beds
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas and dock posts
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for pre-spawn females
| - Bluegill concentrated around dock areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Schools are beginning to reform and relocate to slightly deeper water, particularly around available structure
- With the turbid water conditions (2.3ft visibility), fish are staying in relatively shallow zones (4-8 feet) where light penetration is sufficient for feeding
| - Docks with 4-8 feet of water, especially those near subtle depth changes
- Any brush or woody debris in 5-7 feet of water
- Gradual break lines transitioning from spawning flats to slightly deeper water
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
| - Small baitfish (2-3 inches) congregating around docks and structure
- Aquatic insects emerging in shallow zones
- Young-of-year panfish in warming shallows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-78 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning to summer patterns, actively feeding but primarily holding tight to dock structure for shade and ambush points
- Fish are mostly staying in the upper 6 feet of the water column due to limited light penetration in turbid conditions
| - Deeper dock areas, especially those near subtle depth changes
- Shaded areas under and between docks
- Subtle transitions and depth changes near docks
| - Wacky Rigs skipped under docks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and corners
- Shakey Heads worked along dock edges
| - Bluegill concentrating around dock structures
- Small baitfish utilizing dock shade
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
