| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise. They are beginning to feed more aggressively to prepare for spawning.
- Fish are moving from deeper winter areas to shallower pre-spawn staging points, particularly focusing on the first break lines near future spawning areas.
| - Edges of lily pad fields, especially where they meet slightly deeper water in the 3-5 foot range
- Points and pockets with irregular features in vegetation that provide staging areas
- Protected shallow coves that warm up first
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through sparse vegetation and along pad edges
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled near vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically through emerging vegetation
| - Bluegill beginning to become more active in shallow areas
- Small baitfish schools moving shallow with warming water
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-62 | - Panfish are moving into shallower areas near vegetation, staging for upcoming spawn. They are actively feeding on insects and small invertebrates during warming periods.
- Fish are becoming more active but still relatively lethargic, preferring slower presentations in the moderately stained water.
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 2-5 foot depths
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
- Shallow flats adjacent to slightly deeper water
| - Bobbers with small jigs or live bait suspended just above vegetation
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near cover
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly along vegetation edges
| - Insects
- Small invertebrates
- Zooplankton
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass actively moving into spawning areas and staging in lily pad fields, particularly in the shallower 3-5 foot zones
- Fish exhibiting territorial behavior and responding aggressively to bait presentations in their spawning areas
- Feeding periods concentrated during warmer parts of day when water temperatures rise
| - Lily pad fields in 3-5 foot depths, especially where there are small openings or irregularities
- Protected shallow coves with vegetation
- Points and edges of pad fields where they transition to slightly deeper water
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) with slow dragging presentation as validated by recent fishing reports
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly through gaps in vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked around pad edges
| - Bluegill, as consistently mentioned in recent fishing reports
- Small baitfish utilizing vegetation edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Spawning bluegills moving into shallow flats and protected areas with firm bottom, actively defending nesting sites
- Males become highly aggressive and territorial during spawn, making them more likely to strike at intrusive baits
- Feeding actively on insects and small invertebrates in vegetation edges when not focused on spawning
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and scattered vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Edges of lily pad fields where they meet slightly deeper water
- Small pockets and cuts in shoreline vegetation offering protected spawning areas
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 1-2 feet below surface
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or insects
| - Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans and invertebrates
- Newly hatched fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding and patrolling the edges of vegetation, particularly lily pads and submerged weed edges
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior, willing to chase moving baits like chatterbaits above weeds
| - Edges of lily pad fields with irregular features or pockets
- Offshore weed edges in 3-5 foot depth range
- Points and pockets where vegetation meets open water
| - Bladed Jigs worked just above vegetation at moderate to fast speeds
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked along pad edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow vegetation
- Young of year baitfish around pad edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-72 | - Actively feeding in shallow water (2-5 feet) around vegetation edges and newly emerging weed growth
- Establishing post-spawn feeding patterns with increased activity during warmer parts of the day
- Responding strongly to insect hatches and small prey items near vegetation
| - Edges of lily pad fields in 2-5 foot depths
- Shallow coves with emerging vegetation
- Protected shoreline areas with submerged vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 1-3 feet below surface
- Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved steadily in clear lanes between vegetation
| - Emerging aquatic insects and larvae
- Small crustaceans and zooplankton
- Newly hatched minnows and fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
