| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-65 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, moving into 5-12 foot depths along transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning areas
| - Weed-to-rock transitions in 12-15 foot range adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation in 5-10 foot depths
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with mixed rock and vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging weed edges and transition areas
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through sparse vegetation and over rock transitions
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses over staging areas
| - Bluegill moving shallow and becoming more active in warming water
- Minnows congregating along transitional areas and emerging weed edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappies are transitioning from winter deep-water locations to warmer, shallower pre-spawn staging areas, following distinct migration routes along structure
- Fish become increasingly active as water temperatures rise, forming loose schools near staging areas and feeding more aggressively
| - Deeper weed edges in 10-15 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points and transitions leading into spawning bays
- Deep dock areas near spawning locations serving as staging points
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Finesse Hair Jigs
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Small minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
- Young-of-year bluegills in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are actively spawning, with males guarding beds in shallow areas along the shoreline. Fish are aggressive in defending nesting sites.
- Pre/post spawn fish staging near spawning areas, moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning flats based on temperature fluctuations.
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with matted grass where spawning beds are located
- Weed-to-rock transition areas in 10-15 foot range serving as staging areas
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats where pre-spawn fish gather
| - Bladed Jigs worked slowly over and around spawning areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and matted grass
- Soft Jerkbaits worked along transition areas for staging fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Actively moving into shallow spawning areas near vegetation and man-made structures in 2-8 foot depths
- Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper
- Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, becoming more selective during actual spawning
| - Shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 10-15 foot range
- Protected areas between docks with nearby vegetation
- Weed edges and transitions in 6-12 foot depths
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Small minnows
- Aquatic insects
- Zooplankton
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily relating to vegetation edges and transitions in 8-12 foot depth range
- Fish are showing preference for ambush points near submerged vegetation, particularly in pockets and along reed edges
- Movement patterns indicate fish transitioning between shallow spawning areas and early summer deeper haunts
| - Submerged vegetation pockets in 8-12 foot depth range
- Reed line edges, especially where they transition to deeper water
- Weed-to-rock transition areas near points and irregular shoreline features
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting vegetation pockets
- Wacky Rigs worked along reed edges
- Frogs/Toads in shallow vegetation zones
| - Minnows
- Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Post-spawn crappies are recovering and transitioning to deeper water, actively feeding near remaining vegetation and structure
- Fish are becoming more structure-oriented, suspending near weed edges and dock posts in 10-15 foot depth range
| - Weed edges and transitions in 10-15 foot depth range
- Dock areas with access to deeper water
- Secondary points and coves with submerged vegetation
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
| - Small minnows gathering near vegetation
- Emerging insects near weed beds
- Young-of-year bluegills in shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
