| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower flats and staging points, following the warming trend
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Deep weed edges where green vegetation remains from previous season
- Bridge pillars and other hard structure near potential spawning areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through sparse vegetation
- Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging points
| - Baitfish schools congregating near warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from winter depths to staging areas, making gradual movements toward eventual spawning locations
- Fish are becoming more active with warming trends, feeding opportunistically to build energy reserves for spawning
| - Secondary points and rocky transitions adjacent to spawning bays
- Bridge pilings offering current breaks and vertical structure
- Deeper grass edges in 8-15 feet of water
| - Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations near structure
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches
- Tubes dragged slowly along bottom structure
| - Small baitfish transitioning from winter schools
- Crayfish becoming more active with warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and areas with stable bottom composition
- Males are actively guarding nests while females move between shallow spawning flats and slightly deeper staging areas
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and territorial as they protect their spawning areas
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and emerging vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
- Inside weedlines in 2-6 feet of water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over spawning flats
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and working shallow areas
| - Bluegill in shallow areas around emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Small baitfish moving into spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) and establishing nesting sites near hard bottom areas and structure
- Males are highly territorial and aggressive, defending nests while females stage in slightly deeper water nearby
- Feeding activity is intermittent, with focus split between spawning activity and opportunistic feeding on available forage
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and nearby grass edges
- Areas near bridge pilings in 4-8 feet of water
- Points and irregular shoreline features with gravel or rock substrate
| - Tubes worked slowly near spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits fished with subtle twitches
- Ned Rigs deadsticked near visible beds
| - Small bluegills near spawning areas
- Minnows relating to grass edges
- Crawfish emerging in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing weed edges and bridge pillars as primary feeding zones, making frequent movements between shallow and mid-depth areas
| - Inside weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 feet of water
- Bridge pillars with nearby vegetation
- Secondary points with emerging weed growth
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to emerging weed lines
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around bridge pillars
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow weed areas
- Crawfish active in rocky areas near bridge pillars
- Small minnows staging along weed edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn smallmouth actively feeding and patrolling grass edges in warming 70°F water, showing aggressive behavior towards moving baits
- Fish transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, utilizing grass edges as primary feeding zones
| - Grass edges and weed lines in 5-15 foot depth range
- Points and irregular shoreline features with vegetation
- Bridge pilings near vegetation transitions
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to grass edges with moderate retrieve
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along weed edges
- Hard Jerkbaits worked through vegetation gaps
| - Minnows gathering around vegetation edges
- Juvenile bluegill in grass beds
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
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