| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn bass are staging on transition areas, with larger females holding on main lake points while smaller males begin moving toward spawning areas in creek arms
- Active feeding periods focusing on both crawfish and shad, with fish becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Main lake points and secondary points with access to deeper water
- Staging areas near the mouths of spawning creeks
- Stump fields adjacent to spawning flats
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near points
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along transition areas
- Bladed Jigs worked through stump fields and around points
| - Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Shad schools relating to points and staging areas
- Crappie moving shallow creating additional forage opportunities
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn striped bass are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, following large schools of shad in the water column
- Fish are making transitional movements from winter areas to spawning grounds, primarily using channel edges and points as migration routes
- Due to turbid conditions (3.6ft visibility), fish are most active during dawn and dusk, moving shallower during these periods
| - Main channel ledges and drop-offs where fish stage during pre-spawn
- Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to spawning areas
- Shallow flats near deep water where bait schools concentrate
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along channel edges to imitate shad schools
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled through suspended fish
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are holding on structure
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Smaller baitfish utilizing shoreline areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Pre-spawn bass are actively moving to the backs of creeks and shallow protected areas for spawning
- Aggressive territorial behavior as males prepare and guard nesting sites
- Feeding heavily on crawfish in shallow areas before and during spawn
| - Protected shallow coves and pockets in backs of creeks
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
- Areas with stumps and laydowns in 2-6 feet of water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
- Swim Jigs worked through spawning flats
- Bladed Jigs in slightly stained water around staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging in warming shallows
- Small bluegill in spawning areas
- Shad starting to move shallow
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Striped Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn fish will be staging in transition areas between deep wintering holes and spawning flats, moving progressively shallower as water temperatures rise
- Fish will be actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased aggression and feeding windows during dawn and dusk
- Schools will break into smaller groups as fish prepare for spawning, with larger females typically leading the migration
| - Main lake points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected coves with gravel or rocky substrate
- Ledges and depth transitions in 8-15 foot range near spawning areas
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large)
- Blade Baits
- Spinnerbaits
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Small sunfish in shallow transition zones
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting crawfish and shad in shallow to mid-depth zones
- Fish are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, relating heavily to rock structure and ledges
| - Rock piles in transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
- Ledges adjacent to spawning bays and coves
- Secondary points with mixed rock and wood cover
| - Swim Jigs worked steadily through cover and along transitions
- Hard Topwater (Popping) worked early and late in the day
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around rocky structure
| - Crawfish emerging from rocky areas
- Young of year shad beginning to school
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn striped bass are actively recovering and feeding, following large schools of shad in the water column
- Fish are transitioning between shallow and deeper water, especially during daily movements, staying shallower during low light and moving deeper during bright conditions
| - Main lake points and channel intersections where shad schools congregate
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water channels for morning feeding
- Ledges and channel edges where fish stage during midday
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked through suspended bait schools
- Umbrella Rigs for matching multiple bait fish presentation
- Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges
| - Shad schools in open water
- Young-of-year baitfish in shallow areas
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
