How to Fish Francis: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Francis

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Francis

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn largemouth bass are staging in transitional areas, moving from winter depths to spawning grounds while actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with primary feeding periods during mid-morning and afternoon when temperatures peak	Protected areas near emerging reed beds in 3-5 feet of water where the bottom is warming fastest Secondary points and rock piles in 7-9 feet adjacent to spawning flats Docks providing shade and structure, especially those closest to spawning areas	Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation with intermittent pauses Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near structure and vegetation edges Spinnerbaits parallel to reed lines and dock edges	Bluegill beginning to move shallow and congregate near emerging vegetation Minnows schooling in warming shallow areas Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	62-78	Bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around reeds and lily pad stems in 2-4 feet of water Males are actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning activities Aggressive territorial behavior during nest defense, but may be spooky in the shallow, stained water	Protected reed beds and lily pad fields in 2-4 feet of water Shallow coves with firm bottom near deeper water access Docks providing shade and protection adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and cover Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for cruising spawners Wacky Rigs worked slowly around bed areas	Bluegill beginning to move shallow Small minnows in spawning areas Crawfish becoming active in warming waters	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	75-78	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow to moderate depths (3-9 feet), showing aggressive behavior around vegetation and structure Fish are scattered throughout various shallow cover types, with some transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns	Deeper standing reeds in 3-5 feet of water, especially on outer edges Rock piles in 7-9 feet near weed edges Docks with access to deeper water Lily pad fields and weed pockets	Drop Shot with soft plastics worked slowly in weed pockets and edges Bladed Jigs retrieved through reed edges Wacky Rigs skipped under docks Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges	Bluegill in shallow cover and around docks Minnows along weed edges and reed lines	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	75-85	Bass are scattered throughout heavy weed areas, with smaller fish being more numerous and aggressive. Fish are likely feeding opportunistically during early/late hours with reduced activity during peak heat. Fish are utilizing thick vegetation for shade and ambush points, particularly during midday hours when temperatures peak	Thick weed beds in 3-7 foot depth range, especially areas with mixed vegetation types Dock areas with adjacent vegetation, providing shade and ambush points Weed edges near deeper water, offering cooling refuge during heat of day	Swim Jigs worked through and over weed beds, matching recent successful reports Frogs/Toads worked over thick vegetation during early morning/evening Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentation in heavy cover	Crawfish in and around vegetation Bluegill in weed beds Small baitfish (minnows) along weed edges	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals

Fall Fishing Guide for Francis

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	55-68	Beginning transition to deeper structure as water cools, with active feeding periods in shallower areas during warm afternoons Actively targeting baitfish schools, especially around remaining vegetation edges and dock areas	Deep weed edges transitioning to rock piles in 7-9 feet Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with remaining vegetation Points and breaks where shallow vegetation meets deeper water	Spinnerbaits worked parallel to deep weed edges Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along rock piles and points Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around baitfish schools	Schooling Bluegill moving to deeper structure Baitfish schools congregating near remaining vegetation Juvenile bluegill still utilizing remaining weed cover	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

Key Seasonal Structures in Francis

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected areas near emerging reed beds in 3-5 feet of water where the bottom is warming fastest	Secondary points and rock piles in 7-9 feet adjacent to spawning flats
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected reed beds and lily pad fields in 2-4 feet of water	Shallow coves with firm bottom near deeper water access
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Deeper standing reeds in 3-5 feet of water, especially on outer edges	Rock piles in 7-9 feet near weed edges
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Thick weed beds in 3-7 foot depth range, especially areas with mixed vegetation types	Dock areas with adjacent vegetation, providing shade and ambush points
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges transitioning to rock piles in 7-9 feet	Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with remaining vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow and congregate near emerging vegetation	Minnows schooling in warming shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill beginning to move shallow	Small minnows in spawning areas
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill in shallow cover and around docks	Minnows along weed edges and reed lines
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Crawfish in and around vegetation	Bluegill in weed beds
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Schooling Bluegill moving to deeper structure	Baitfish schools congregating near remaining vegetation

Bait Colors by Season for Francis

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Pink Colors Dark Neutrals
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns

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