| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Bass moving from winter depths to transitional staging areas, following the warming trend in preparation for spawning
- Increasingly active feeding patterns as water temperatures rise, with fish becoming more aggressive during stable weather
| - Secondary points adjacent to shallow bays with emerging cabbage growth
- Transitions between hard bottom and emerging vegetation in 5-10 foot range
- Protected shoreline areas with early-warming potential, especially near dock structures
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Ned Rigs worked methodically along transition areas
- Blade Baits worked through staging areas
| - Bluegill congregating in emerging vegetation
- Small baitfish in warming shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-68 | - Largemouth bass transitioning from pre-spawn staging to spawning, with males preparing and guarding nests in protected shallow areas
- Fish becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as they protect spawning areas, particularly during warming trends
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and emerging cabbage growth in 2-4 foot range
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow dock areas with nearby vegetation in 3-6 foot range
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and working shallow vegetation
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow and spawn
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are utilizing cabbage weed edges and dock areas as primary holding zones, making feeding forays into adjacent areas
| - Cabbage weed edges in 7-12 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Docks with deeper water access near spawning bays
- Secondary points with emerging vegetation
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through sparse cabbage and along transitions
- Shakey Heads worked slowly near dock posts and edges
| - Bluegill concentrating near emerging weed growth
- Young of year perch in slightly deeper cabbage edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
