| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 52-62 | - Spotted bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving from deeper winter haunts to shallower transition areas, particularly along points and channel swings
- Feeding activity increases during stable weather patterns, with fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Rocky main lake points leading into spawning pockets
- Secondary points with submerged boulders in 8-15 foot depth
- Channel swing banks with rock transitions
| - Bladed Jigs worked along rocky transitions
- Football Jigs dragged through deeper staging areas
- Shakey Heads worked methodically on points
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active as water warms
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends
- Feeding actively but selectively, with increased activity during warmer afternoons
- Moving along migration routes from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning grounds, using points and rock structures as stopping points
| - Main lake points with rock transitions from deep to shallow water
- Secondary points in major coves with boulder fields
- Windward shorelines with rock structure in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Tubes worked slowly along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged through staging areas
- Blade Baits for actively feeding fish in deeper zones
- Jerkbaits worked slowly over shallow rock structures on warmer days
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Small baitfish relating to rock structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 58-68 | - Spotted bass are in spawning mode, with males guarding nests in shallow areas while females stage nearby on adjacent structure
- Fish are highly territorial and aggressive during this period, especially around nesting sites
- Pre-spawn feeding activity is intense, particularly during warming trends
| - Rocky points and gravel pockets in 2-8 feet of water for spawning
- Adjacent deeper structure like rock piles in 10-15 feet for staging females
- Protected coves with matted grass providing spawning habitat
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible beds and shallow cover
- Shakey Heads worked slowly on staging areas
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Shad schools in pre-spawn patterns
- Small bluegill in shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Male smallmouth bass are establishing and guarding nests in shallow rocky areas, particularly around boulders and rock piles
- Females staging in slightly deeper water (8-15 feet) near spawning areas, moving shallow periodically
- Most active during warmer parts of the day when water temperatures peak
| - Protected rocky coves and shorelines with abundant boulder clusters in 2-6 feet of water
- Secondary points with rock/gravel mix leading into spawning bays
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water staging areas
| - Tubes worked slowly around rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses for pre-spawn fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish gathering in spawning areas
- Young of year shad beginning to appear
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn spotted bass are actively feeding but staying close to rocky structure, showing preference for ambush points rather than submerged brush
- Fish are establishing predictable feeding patterns, with a clear preference for bottom-oriented presentations as evidenced by success with Texas rigs and Ned rigs
| - Rocky shorelines and submerged boulder fields in transitional areas
- Rock piles adjacent to deeper water
- Matted grass areas with nearby hard structure
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rocky structure
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through grass and over rock piles
- Shakey Heads worked along rocky points
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Small bottom-dwelling baitfish
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-72 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn
- Fish are becoming more active during daylight hours, especially during wind-driven conditions on main lake points and rocky shores
| - Rocky main lake points with access to deeper water
- Boulder fields and rock piles in 8-15 foot depth range
- Transition areas between spawning flats and summer deep-water haunts
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped through boulder fields
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to points
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Young-of-year shad beginning to school
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
