| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-55 | - Moving from winter deep water areas to transitional staging areas near spawning flats
- Gradually becoming more active with warming water, feeding opportunistically on available forage
- Congregating in pre-spawn staging areas, often in schools
| - Rock reefs and humps adjacent to potential spawning flats in 10-18ft range
- Protected coves with rocky structure that warm up faster
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning areas
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom structure
- Drop Shot with subtle presentations in deeper staging areas
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches
| - Ciscoes suspending near structure
- Small baitfish in emerald coloration
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Male smallmouth bass actively establishing and guarding nests in shallow protected areas, typically 2-6 feet deep near rock or gravel substrate
- Females staging in slightly deeper water (8-12 feet) near spawning areas, moving shallow periodically to spawn
- Fish are sight-feeding aggressively to protect nests and territories from potential egg predators
| - Protected rocky or gravel bays and coves where the complex shoreline (SDI 2.79) creates wind-sheltered areas
- Shallow rock reefs and humps adjacent to deeper water that provide ideal spawning habitat
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with mixed rock and gravel substrate
| - Tubes worked slowly around visible beds and rocky areas
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near spawning areas
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for sight fishing bedding bass
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly for pre-spawn females
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small cisco and shiners in slightly deeper water
- Various small fish species that may prey on eggs
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively recuperating and beginning to feed aggressively, moving from spawning areas to nearby transition zones
- Fish are utilizing the water column more actively, especially during stable weather, but will retreat to deeper structure during cold fronts or heavy winds
| - Rock reefs and humps in 10-18 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Complex points with mixed rock and gravel in 8-15 foot depths
- Protected coves with deeper water access, especially those with boulder or rock structure
| - Drop Shot rigged with 4-inch finesse baits, worked slowly along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs worked with subtle hops around rock structure
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieve to trigger reaction strikes
| - Small baitfish (shiners and young-of-year cisco)
- Crayfish emerging from winter habitat
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
