| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter locations to warmer, shallower zones with access to future spawning flats
- Feeding actively but methodically as metabolism increases with warming water temperatures
- Relating strongly to the first major depth breaks and emerging vegetation edges
| - Shallow weed edges in 5-foot range adjacent to slightly deeper water
- Rocky areas and breaklines that warm quickly
- Protected coves and points that offer wind protection and warming water
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along breaklines and emerging vegetation
- Ned Rigs dragged through rocky areas and transition zones
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses around vegetation edges
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Yellow Perch in slightly deeper water
- Small bluegills relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn bluegills moving from winter depths to warmer, shallower water, staging near emerging vegetation and spawning areas
- Feeding activity increases as water warms, with fish becoming more active during mid-day periods
| - Shallow flats with emerging vegetation in 4-8 feet of water
- Protected coves and bays where water warms first
- Transition areas between winter deep weeds and shallow spawning areas
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended just above emerging vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly through transition areas
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly along weed edges
| - Small aquatic insects emerging from winter dormancy
- Small crustaceans in the vegetation
- Tiny minnows and fish fry
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and near vegetation edges
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning flats
- Feeding activity increases during pre-spawn, becomes more territorial during spawn
| - Protected shallow coves with stable vegetation
- Shallow flats adjacent to weed edges
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Wacky Rigs
- Soft Jerkbaits
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow areas
- Small yellow perch
- Juvenile bluegill near vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegills moving into shallow protected areas (2-6 feet) to spawn, establishing colonies on firm bottom areas near vegetation
- Males aggressively guarding nests during daylight hours, feeding opportunistically between defensive duties
- Increased activity during morning and evening hours, with peak feeding occurring when water temperatures reach optimal spawning range
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and adjacent vegetation
- Shallow flats near weed edges in 2-6 foot depth range
- Coves and points with submerged vegetation providing spawning habitat
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep near spawning colonies
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or insects for finicky fish
| - Small aquatic insects emerging in spring
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Newly hatched fry and small minnows
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing multiple depth zones, with many relating to the first major weed edge and breaklines
| - Weed edges in 5-8 foot depth range adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points with mixed rock and vegetation
- Shallow breaklines with established vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Shakey Heads near rocky areas and transitions
- Spinnerbaits parallel to weed edges during active periods
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Young of year bluegill in vegetation
- Small yellow perch along weed edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegills are actively feeding and recovering energy, frequently found in shallow to mid-depth weed edges and flats
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, making daily movements between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper resting zones
| - Weed edges and pockets in 8-12 foot range where vegetation meets open water
- Shallow flats with mixed vegetation in 4-7 foot range
- Protected coves and points with emerging weed growth
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly through weed pockets
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along weed edges
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Newly hatched invertebrates
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
|
