| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish become more active during warming trends, moving shallower in afternoon hours and relating heavily to available cover
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Laydowns and overhanging trees in 4-8 foot depths
- Northern shorelines that receive most sun exposure and warm first
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Shakey Heads worked slowly along depth transitions
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to points and channel edges
| - Bluegill moving shallow near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
- Small baitfish schools in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning phases, moving from deeper winter areas to shallow spawning flats and gradually establishing nesting sites
- Males are actively patrolling and preparing nest sites in protected shallow areas, while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water
- Fish become increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise, defending territory and responding to sight-based threats
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom, especially near overhanging trees and laydowns
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with gradual slopes
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially those with emerging weed growth
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible cover and potential spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around staging areas
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and working shallow spawning flats
| - Crayfish becoming more active in warming shallows
- Small bluegill and perch in spawning areas
- Emerging juvenile baitfish in shallow zones
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are utilizing shallow to mid-depth areas, particularly around wood cover and emerging weed growth
- Feeding activity increases during morning and evening hours, with fish moving between shallow cover and slightly deeper staging areas
| - Laydowns and overhanging trees in 4-8 foot zones where they intersect with emerging weed growth
- Secondary points with wood cover adjacent to spawning bays
- Shallow flats with emerging vegetation in 5-10 foot range
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow wood cover and emerging vegetation
- Shakey Heads worked slowly along transitions near spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits parallel to shoreline cover during cloudy conditions or low light periods
| - Bluegill and small panfish gathering around shallow cover
- Juvenile bass and perch in emerging weed growth
- Crawfish becoming active in shallow rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
