| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Pre-spawn bass are staging near spawning flats, moving up from winter depths and becoming more active with warming water
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warmer afternoon periods
| - Protected coves with gradual slopes near reed edges that will warm first
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Transitional areas between deeper winter holdouts and shallow spawning flats
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs around reed edges and sparse vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in clear water areas
| - Small pike and perch moving shallow
- Emerging crawfish becoming active in warming water
- Baitfish schools transitioning to shallower flats
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around reed edges and protected coves with gradual slopes
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats
- Fish becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as water temperatures rise
| - Protected reed edges in 2-4 feet of water with firm bottom
- Shallow coves with emergent vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and bedding areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly near spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing bedding bass
| - Bluegill and small panfish
- Young of year perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Actively feeding while recovering from spawn, establishing summer patterns around shallow to mid-depth vegetation and structure
- Most active during early morning and evening hours, moving between shallow cover and slightly deeper transitions
| - Reed edges and emergent vegetation in 2-5 foot depths
- Cabbage weed edges in 6-9 foot depths
- Points and irregular shoreline features adjacent to deeper water
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked erratically around vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting reed edges and visible cover
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during low light periods
| - Young of year panfish in shallow vegetation
- Crawfish active in warming shallows
- Small pike minnows around weed edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
