| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 39-48 | - Bass are in pre-spawn transition, staging near deep water access points but beginning to move towards spawning areas
- Feeding activity is moderate and methodical, with fish showing preference for slow-moving presentations near bottom structure
| - Humps adjacent to deep water, particularly those near creek channels or spawning flats
- Secondary points in creek arms where ice is beginning to recede
- Rock piles and brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked with a slow hopping retrieve near bottom structure
- Bladed Jigs worked slowly along depth transitions
- Football Jigs dragged slowly across humps and rock piles
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small bluegill in deeper brush piles
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warmer afternoon periods
| - Rocky points and transition areas adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet
- Hard-bottom areas near deep water access in 12-18 feet
- Rip-rap banks receiving afternoon sun
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in deeper staging areas
- Football Jigs dragged on hard bottom areas
- Tubes worked around rocky structure
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses for suspended fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in transitional areas
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are in various spawning stages, moving from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, with some early spawners already on beds in protected areas
- Most active during morning and evening hours, particularly protective of nesting areas and aggressive towards intruders
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and adjacent to deeper water
- Areas with matted grass or brush piles in 3-5 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to bedding areas and cover
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water and triggering reaction strikes
- Shakey Heads for working staging areas and deeper transitions
| - Crawfish emerging and active in warming shallows
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish transitioning to spawning areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near rock piles and rip rap, actively defending nesting sites
- Males will be more aggressive and territorial, while females stage slightly deeper near spawning flats
| - Rock piles and rip rap in 2-8 foot depth range with nearby deeper water access
- Protected coves with hard bottom and scattered rock
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with mixed rock and gravel
| - Tubes worked slowly around rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs deadsticked near visible beds or rocky structure
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses for staging fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
- Young of year panfish in shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-75 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow water, particularly along first color breaks and transitional areas as noted in recent reports
- Fish are showing preference for staging near points, moving progressively shallower as evidenced by recent fishing success
| - Shallow points with first color break transitions
- Rip rap areas with access to deeper water
- Matted grass and brush piles in shallow water
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along depth transitions
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for working shallow cover
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along riprap and points
| - Crawfish in shallow rocky areas
- Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones (8-15 ft) as they recover from spawn, with increased activity during low-light periods due to moderate water staining
- Relating heavily to rock structure and hard bottom areas, moving between feeding zones near crawfish habitat and resting areas
| - Rocky points and rip-rap areas in 8-12 foot depth range
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer haunts
- Hard bottom areas near artificial structure and brush piles in 10-18 foot range
| - Drop Shot worked slowly along rock transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on hard bottom areas
- Shakey Heads worked methodically around brush piles and structure
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near rocky points
| - Crawfish emerging from rocky areas
- Small baitfish relating to brush piles
- Young of the year fish starting to appear in shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
