| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter depths to warming shallow areas
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Following daily movement patterns between deeper staging areas and shallow feeding zones
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
- Rock piles that retain heat in 5-10 foot depth range
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near structure
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in transition areas
| - Bluegills gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Small baitfish schools in warming shallows
- Emerging crawfish becoming active with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappies are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to school up near staging areas, feeding more aggressively in preparation for spawning
| - Deeper edges of emerging vegetation in 8-12 feet of water
- Protected coves with staging areas adjacent to eventual spawning flats
- Deeper dock areas providing cover and shade
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small minnows and shad
- Young-of-year panfish
- Aquatic insects
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Pre-spawn bass staging near spawning flats and moving into shallow bays to establish nesting sites
- Males actively guarding nests while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning zones
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased reaction to intrusive baits
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Wacky Rigs
- Soft Jerkbaits
| - Bluegills and sunfish around spawning areas
- Young of the year baitfish
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near vegetation and shoreline structure, becoming more aggressive as water warms
- Males arrive first to establish nesting sites, with females staging slightly deeper (6-8 feet) until ready to spawn
| - Shallow coves with submerged vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Protected areas between docks where spawning beds can be established
- Transition areas near points where 6-8 foot depths meet spawning flats
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
- Finesse Hair Jigs
| - Small minnows and juvenile baitfish
- Aquatic insects and larvae
- Young-of-year panfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 72-80 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn
- Fish are relating to submerged vegetation edges and utilizing these areas as primary feeding zones
- Most active during morning and evening periods, with females especially focused on post-spawn recovery
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 5-10 foot depth range
- Secondary points with mixed vegetation and rock
- Shallow coves with emerging weed growth
| - Swim Jigs worked steadily through vegetation edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting specific vegetation clumps
| - Bluegills and sunfish gathering near vegetation
- Young of year baitfish becoming more active
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, suspending 10-15 feet deep near docks and vegetation
- Active feeding in and around submerged vegetation, particularly during early morning and evening hours
| - Submerged vegetation in 10-15 foot zones adjacent to docks
- Shallower vegetation beds in 5-8 foot depths on the left side of docks
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer holding areas
| - Finesse Jigs with small curly tail and split tail grubs
- Crappie Dock Shooting
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - Young-of-year panfish
- Small baitfish in vegetation
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
