| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-75 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding while staging near spawning areas, making short movements between deeper staging areas and shallow feeding zones
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior on bluegills and crawfish, particularly around reed structures as water temperatures reach optimal pre-spawn range
| - Reed structures adjacent to small islands, especially where they create edges with deeper water
- Secondary points and shallow flats near spawning areas
- Brush piles in 12-18 foot depth range serving as staging areas
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly along reed edges with occasional pauses
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with slow retrieves and twitching motion around structure
- Swim Jigs paralleling the reed lines and transitional areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around reed structures
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near deeper water access, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving from winter depths to transitional structures, becoming more active with warming trends
| - River inlet areas with current and hard bottom in 10-15 foot range
- Transition areas between deep wintering holes and shallow spawning flats
- Rocky points and brush piles adjacent to deeper water
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on hard bottom areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to depth changes
| - Shad schools concentrated in deeper water near structure
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow with warming trends
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Bluegills moving from winter deep holes (12-18 feet) to shallower warming areas, staging for spawn
- Actively feeding during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
- Beginning to establish territories near potential spawning areas but not yet on beds
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 4-8 foot depth
- Transition areas between winter holes and spawning flats
- Brush piles and humps adjacent to spawning areas
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly through warming areas
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked horizontally through cover
- Live Bait Rigs near structure transition areas
| - Small aquatic insects emerging in warming water
- Blood worms and larvae in shallow mud flats
- Small crustaceans near emerging vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving between deeper staging areas (12-18') and spawning zones (2-6')
- Males actively searching for and preparing nest sites in protected areas with firm bottom
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, especially during peak spawn
| - Protected coves with firm bottom and sparse vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Brush piles and boulder fields in 8-12 foot transition zones
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover in spawning areas
- Swim Jigs along transition zones between staging and spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended pre-spawn fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish in transition zones
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to spawning locations, actively seeking warmer water and suitable spawning substrate
- Males are establishing and guarding nesting sites in protected areas with hard bottom, while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent water
- Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with aggressive territorial behavior near spawning areas
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and gravel substrate near deeper water access
- River inlet areas with current and rocky structure in 5-10 foot depth range
- Points and coves with mixed rock and gravel in 3-8 foot depths
| - Tubes worked slowly along potential spawning flats
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses for pre-spawn fish
| - Bluegill moving into shallow spawning areas
- Shad schools in slightly deeper water near spawning flats
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around reed beds and brush piles, with males preparing and guarding nests
- Most aggressive during early morning and evening hours, with spawning activity peaking when water temperatures stabilize
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom, especially near reed beds (2-6 feet deep)
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with brush piles
- Island areas with nearby shallow flats for spawning
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near spawning beds
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms near bedding areas
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans
- Small worms and leeches
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 60-70 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing preference for slower presentations, striking baits on the fall as evidenced by recent senko success
| - Brush piles in 12-18 foot depth range, especially those near spawning flats
- Secondary points with mixed vegetation and structure
- Transition areas between shallow spawning bays and deeper water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with slow fall presentations
- Wacky Rigs worked with subtle movements
- Shakey Heads near brush pile edges
| - Bluegill, particularly around brush pile areas
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 60-68 | - Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, establishing summer pattern movements between shallow and mid-depth structure
- Most aggressive during dawn and dusk periods, utilizing current areas and points for feeding opportunities
| - River inlet structures in 10-15 foot range with current
- Points and irregular shoreline features near deeper water
- Brush piles adjacent to hard bottom areas
| - Drop Shot worked along deeper structure edges
- Tubes dragged through current-swept areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and inlet areas
| - Shad schools moving along points and current areas
- Bluegill in brush pile areas
- Smaller baitfish relating to current areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills transitioning from spawning areas to summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish becoming more active during morning and evening periods as water warms, seeking shade during bright midday hours
| - Edges of reed beds and brush piles in 8-12 foot depths
- Offshore humps and island areas with scattered vegetation
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper summer holding areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with light wire hooks and small split shots for natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended 4-8 feet deep near vegetation edges
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through cover
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Zooplankton concentrations near vegetation
- Tiny minnows and fry in shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
