| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass are actively moving from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise into the 50s
- Fish are feeding heavily to prepare for spawning, particularly active during warmer afternoons around heat-retaining structures
| - Rocky shorelines and riprap areas that retain heat and hold crawfish
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water where bass stage
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom, especially around rocky areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to riprap banks
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in shallow areas
- Shad schools in transition areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 59-76 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding while seeking warmer water temperatures in preparation for spawning
- Fish are relating heavily to shoreline structure, particularly rip rap banks, which provide both heat retention and crawfish forage
| - Rip rap banks, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Rocky points and irregular shoreline features in protected bays
- River channel edges with current breaks
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along rocky bottom structure
- Wacky Rigs fished with a subtle presentation near shoreline structure
- Ned Rigs worked along bottom with periodic pauses
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in shallow areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly focusing on protected coves and areas near riprap banks that warm faster
- Males are actively preparing and guarding nests in 2-4 feet of water, while females stage slightly deeper on nearby points and drop-offs
| - Protected shallow coves with mixed cover (laydowns, riprap, docks) in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
- Riprap banks that warm quickly and provide stable spawning habitat
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and bedding areas
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning flats
- Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn fish on secondary points
| - Crawfish becoming more active on riprap and rocky areas as water warms
- Bluegill moving shallow and beginning to nest
- Shad starting to spawn on hard surfaces in protected coves
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 59-68 | - Males actively establishing and guarding nests in protected shallow areas, while females stage nearby in slightly deeper water
- Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, followed by defensive territorial behavior during actual spawn
| - Protected rocky areas in coves and bays with hard bottom for spawning
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
- Rip rap banks with good sun exposure
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky bottom
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for staged fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish gathering in spawning areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-82 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing preference for structure-oriented feeding, particularly around docks and laydowns as evidenced by recent reports
| - Docks, especially those near deeper water access
- Laydowns adjacent to deep water
- Points and riprap banks with access to deeper water
| - Wacky Rigs around docks and visible cover
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly around laydowns
- Finesse Jigs pitched to dock posts and shadows
| - Shad moving along shorelines and around docks
- Crawfish active around riprap and woody cover
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively recovering and feeding heavily, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing current breaks and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats, moving between shallow and deeper water throughout the day
| - Rocky points and rip rap banks adjacent to spawning flats
- River channel edges with current breaks
- Transition areas between shallow bays and deeper water
| - Drop Shot along channel edges and deeper structure
- Ned Rigs worked slowly on rocky bottom areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in shallow transition areas
- Young of the year perch in protected bays
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
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