| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, following a gradual warming trend
- Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warming trends
- Movement patterns focus on transitional areas between deeper winter haunts and shallow spawning zones
| - Main lake points with mixed rock and wood cover near deeper water
- Secondary points in protected bays with hard bottom composition
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water with emerging vegetation
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along depth transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on hard bottom areas
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses over emerging vegetation
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish concentrated near warming shallows
- Perch schools relating to transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-65 | - Smallmouth actively spawning and guarding beds near laydowns, overhanging brush, and docks at 62°F
- Pre and post-spawn females staging near dock areas, likely moving between spawning flats and deeper sanctuary areas
| - Protected shallow areas near laydowns and overhanging brush with hard bottom for spawning
- Dock areas, especially those adjacent to deeper water for staging fish
- Points and inside turns with mixed vegetation and rock near spawning flats
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around visible beds and cover
- Ned Rigs for staging fish near docks
- Tubes pitched to visible beds and likely spawning areas
| - Bluegill starting to move shallow near spawning areas
- Small perch around dock areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, primarily relating to transitional areas between spawning flats and summer holding areas
- Fish are showing increased activity levels throughout the day, with peak feeding during morning and evening periods
| - Secondary points and rocky areas adjacent to spawning flats
- Vegetation edges where grass meets wood or rock in 5-10 foot depth range
- Dock areas with nearby deep water access
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to vegetation edges
- Drop Shot rigged with finesse baits around dock posts and rocky transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rock to grass transitions
| - Young of the year bluegill gathering near vegetation edges
- Perch schools moving along grass edges
- Crayfish emerging in rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
