| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 39-53 | - Actively moving into shallow areas (2-6 feet) near emerging vegetation, particularly during warmer periods of the day, staging for spawn
- Showing both aggressive reaction strikes and methodical feeding patterns, with increased activity during wind events
| - Reed lines and emergent vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Docks with nearby vegetation, especially those close to deeper water
- Areas with old lily pad stems and submerged vegetation
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to reed lines, especially during windy conditions
- Finesse Jigs worked slowly around vegetation and dock areas
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') retrieved slowly near cover
| - Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats and emerging vegetation, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Transitioning from deeper water to shallow feeding zones, with increased activity during warmer parts of the day
| - Emerging reed beds in 3-8 feet of water
- Protected dock areas adjacent to shallow flats
- Transition areas between deeper water and emerging vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near vegetation
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around dock areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along vegetation edges
| - Small minnows gathering in emerging vegetation
- Young-of-year bluegill in shallow warming areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Bluegills are transitioning from deeper winter areas to warmer shallows, staging near spawning areas but not yet on beds
- Actively feeding during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
- Fish are beginning to group up but remain somewhat scattered, following daily temperature fluctuations
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation near potential spawning flats
- Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with early-growing weeds
- Transition areas between winter deep water and shallow spawning zones
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs
- Bobbers with adjustable depths to follow fish movements
| - Small invertebrates including emerging aquatic insects
- Tiny crustaceans and zooplankton
- Small worms and larvae
| - Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 39-53 | - Largemouth bass actively moving into shallow spawning areas near reeds and lily pads, with pre-spawn fish staging in 6-8ft transition zones
- Fish showing increased aggression and territorial behavior as they prepare for and engage in spawning activities
- Movement patterns heavily influenced by water temperature changes, with fish more active during warmer parts of the day
| - Reed beds and lily pad fields in shallow water, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Docks providing overhead cover near spawning areas
- Shallow-to-deep transition zones in 6-8ft range for staging fish
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits worked along reed edges and between lily pads
- Swim Jigs targeting pre-spawn fish in transition zones
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving into shallow areas (2-6 feet) around reeds and other emergent vegetation for spawning
- Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making frequent trips to spawning areas
- Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territory-focused during actual spawn
| - Reed beds and emergent vegetation in 2-6 feet of water
- Shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas
- Docks near spawning areas serving as staging points
| - Bobbers with light jigs around spawning areas
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) for targeting visible fish
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish staging under docks
| - Small minnows gathering in spawning areas
- Young-of-year bluegill fry
- Aquatic insects active in warming waters
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively spawning in shallow water (1-4 feet) and defending nesting areas on firm bottom areas
- Males become highly aggressive and territorial during spawning, making them more likely to strike at small intrusions
- Moving between staging areas and spawning flats based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Sandy or firm-bottom shallow flats near shoreline vegetation
- Protected areas between docks with nearby vegetation
- Shallow bays with emergent vegetation and firm bottom
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small presentation near nests
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked vertically over bedding areas
| - Small insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans
- Small worms and leeches
| - Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding but scattered, transitioning between shallow spawning areas and deeper summer holding areas
- Fish are opportunistically feeding on spawning bluegills while recovering from their own spawn
| - Reed lines in 6-8 feet of water where fish are actively cruising
- Lily pad fields, especially outer edges where they meet slightly deeper water
- Deeper drop-offs adjacent to spawning areas where fish are beginning to stage
| - Structure Jigs worked along reed edges and drop-offs
- Bladed Jigs (chatterbaits) burned through transition areas
- Texas Rigs pitched to lily pads and other shallow cover
| - Spawning Bluegills
- Young of Year Baitfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, suspending near dock structures
- Fish are becoming more active during morning and evening periods, utilizing dock shade during bright conditions
| - Docks with deeper water access, especially those near spawning areas
- Deeper reed edges where they transition to open water
- Suspended areas near the first break line off shallow flats
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around dock posts
- Crappie Dock Shooting for skittish fish under structures
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) along reed edges
| - Small bluegill fry
- Emerging insects
- Young-of-year baitfish
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills transitioning from spawning areas to nearby feeding zones, actively pursuing invertebrates and small prey items
- Fish becoming more active during daylight hours, with peak feeding periods in morning and evening
- Beginning to establish summer patterns with movement between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper refuge areas
| - Edges of lily pads and reed beds in 3-8 feet of water
- Dock areas adjacent to deeper water
- Shallow flats with firm bottom near spawning areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and split shot for natural presentation
- Bobbers suspended 2-4 feet deep near vegetation edges
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through feeding zones
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans and zooplankton
- Small minnows and fish fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
