| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Actively transitioning from winter depths to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, following primary migration routes
- Feeding increases as water warms, with fish becoming more aggressive during stable weather patterns
- Moving between deeper wintering areas and shallow flats based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning flats (8-12 feet)
- Transition areas between deeper winter holes and shallow spawning areas
- First emerging vegetation in 3-6 foot depths with access to deeper water
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through transition areas
- Ned Rigs worked methodically in deeper staging areas
| - Bluegill in emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 38-52 | - Pike are transitioning to spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning. They're particularly aggressive during this pre-spawn period.
- Fish are moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning bays and areas with emerging vegetation
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation, particularly areas that warm first in spring
- Transitional areas between deep wintering holes and spawning flats
- Edges of vegetation zones and weed lines where ambush opportunities exist
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked slowly through shallow areas
- Spinnerbaits retrieved steadily along vegetation edges
- Blade Baits worked with a slow, steady retrieve in transition areas
| - Crappies congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Small bass in shallow warming areas
- Various panfish species moving shallow
| - Vibrant Assorted Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn crappies staging in transition areas between deeper wintering areas and shallow spawning sites, becoming increasingly active as water warms
- Fish are schooling and beginning to feed more aggressively as they prepare for spawning, particularly during warmer afternoons
| - Weed edges and ledges in 8-12 feet of water adjacent to future spawning areas
- Deeper pockets near submerged vegetation in 5-7 feet
- Transition zones where deeper water meets emerging vegetation
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Bluegill fry and small juveniles
- Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 61-69 | - Bass are actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in 3-6 feet of water around thick vegetation
- Post-frontal conditions trigger a more selective bite requiring downsized presentations
- Fish are showing typical spawning behavior, with larger females staging near healthy vegetation
| - Thick, healthy submerged vegetation in 3-6 feet of water
- Lily pad fields, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Weed edges where 3-6 foot shallows transition to 10-12 foot depths
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with downsized creature baits in thick vegetation
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly along weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around lily pads
| | - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Northern Pike | 42-52 | - Pike are moving into shallow, weedy bays and backwater areas for spawning, becoming more territorial and aggressive in defending their spawning areas
- Post-spawn fish remain shallow but transition to active feeding to recover energy, often positioning along emerging weed edges and remaining vegetation from previous season
| - Shallow bays with emerging vegetation and remnant winter vegetation
- Transitions between shallow spawning areas and slightly deeper water
- Protected areas near emerging weed growth in 3-8 feet of water
| - Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) with steady retrieves parallel to vegetation edges
- Inline Spinners worked with start-and-stop retrieves in spawning bays
| - Spawning minnows and small panfish in shallow areas
- Young-of-year panfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Crappies moving shallow for their own spawn
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving into shallow water (2-6 feet) near vegetation and spawning areas, becoming more aggressive as water warms
- Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making frequent trips to spawning areas
| - Shallow vegetation edges and lily pad fields in 2-6 feet of water
- Ledges and weed edges near spawning flats for staging fish
- Protected areas with firm bottom substrate for spawning
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) around shallow cover
- Bobbers with light jigs near spawning areas
- Hover/Mid-Strolling for staging fish
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Aquatic insects and larvae
- Small minnows near vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 61-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding but showing preference for weed edges, transitioning between shallow and mid-depth areas throughout the day
- Fish are responding well to both active and finesse presentations, with increased activity during morning and evening periods
| - Weed lines and weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Submerged vegetation adjacent to deeper water
- Deeper dock areas with nearby vegetation
| - Drop Shot along weed edges, working bait from inside weeds to open water
- Bladed Jigs (Chatterbait) with trailer worked along weed edges
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly near vegetation
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Northern Pike | 52-65 | - Post-spawn pike actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting abundant prey in vegetation edges and shallow flats
- Fish are aggressive and willing to chase reaction baits, especially during cooler parts of the day
- Pike utilizing ambush points near vegetation to intercept prey, with increased activity due to warming water
| - Vegetation edges and weed lines in 5-12 feet of water
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water with emerging vegetation
- Protected bays with developing lily pad growth
| - Spinnerbaits worked along weed edges with varied retrieve speeds
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) burned through sparse vegetation
- Inline Spinners for aggressive reaction strikes in clearer pockets
| - Crappies gathering in spring locations
- Young of year panfish becoming active in warming waters
- Bass moving into similar areas providing opportunistic meals
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 65-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are gathering around vegetation edges and transitional structure, making feeding forays into slightly deeper water
| - Weed edges and vegetation transitions in 5-7 feet of water
- Ledges adjacent to spawning areas in 8-12 feet
- Submerged vegetation patches near deeper water access
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Hover/Mid-Strolling
| - Young-of-year bluegills
- Small minnows
- Aquatic insects
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Vibrant Assorted Colors
|
