| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-60 | - Fish are staging near spawning areas but still actively feeding, primarily relating to boulder fields and rocky structure
- Actively feeding during warming trends, with a mix of bottom-feeding and suspended fish chasing baitfish
| - Boulder fields and rocky areas in pre-spawn staging zones
- Secondary points with rock-to-gravel transitions
- Protected rocky coves that warm quickly
| - Tubes worked slowly around boulders
- Finesse Jigs with subtle bottom contact
- Drop Shot with subtle movements in deeper staging areas
| - Shad suspended near structure
- Perch relating to rocky areas
- Crawfish emerging from winter patterns
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Sturgeon | 45-55 | - Pre-spawn sturgeon are becoming more active as water temperatures rise, primarily feeding in deeper areas near rocky structure and transitional zones
- Fish are making feeding movements from wintering holes to pre-spawn staging areas, following shad and crawfish forage
| - Deep boulder fields and rocky structure in 20-40 feet of water
- Transition areas between rocky structure and deeper basins
- Areas where deep water meets prominent points with rock structure
| - Live Bait Rigs with heavy weights fished directly on bottom near structure
- Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with large soft plastics or cut bait
| - Shad schools congregating in deeper water
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy in rocky areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 56-65 | - Smallmouth bass are in spawn/pre-spawn mode, actively defending nesting areas near boulder-rich areas and transitioning between staging and spawning locations
- Fish are showing dual feeding patterns - some actively pursuing shad while others focusing on bottom-oriented prey like crawfish, as evidenced by recent catch reports
| - Boulder fields and rocky areas, particularly those adjacent to spawning flats
- Submerged vegetation near hard bottom areas
- Transition areas between shallow spawning flats and deeper staging areas
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations, working slowly through boulder fields
- Hard Jerkbaits worked with longer pauses to target pre-spawn fish
- Ned Rigs dragged slowly along bottom structure
- Texas Rigs worked through vegetation mimicking crawfish movement
| - Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish emerging in rocky areas and vegetation
- Small bottom-dwelling baitfish near structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Sturgeon | 45-55 | - Sturgeon are moving to shallow spawning areas near rocky shorelines and river mouths, typically holding in pre-spawn staging areas at moderate depths before moving shallower
- Fish are more active in cooler water temperatures, showing increased feeding activity as they prepare for spawning
| - Rocky shorelines and boulder fields in 15-25 foot depths for pre-spawn staging
- Shallow rocky flats and gravel areas in 5-15 feet for active spawning
- Tributary mouths and current areas with rock or gravel bottom
| - Live Bait Rigs with heavy weights positioned near boulder fields
- Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) in staging areas
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') as fish move shallower
| - Shad schools in deeper staging areas
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
- Various bottom-dwelling organisms in gravel spawning areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-65 | - Post-spawn smallmouth actively feeding and recovering, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior around grass edges and boulder areas, particularly on moving baits as evidenced by spinnerbait success
| - Grass edges adjacent to boulder fields where recent catches have been reported
- Rocky points and transition areas near spawning flats
- Secondary points with mixed grass and rock structure
| - Spinnerbaits worked along grass edges and over boulders
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish transitioning between areas
- Tubes worked around boulder fields
| - Shad - primary forage based on recent fishing reports
- Crawfish - abundant in rocky areas during this season
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Sturgeon | 48-62 | - Post-spawn sturgeon are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting shad and crawfish in rocky areas
- Fish are transitioning from deeper winter haunts to moderate depths, following optimal temperature zones
- Showing increased activity levels with warming water, but still preferring cooler, deeper sections
| - Deep boulder fields near drop-offs in 20-35 foot range
- Rocky points and irregular shoreline features with access to deep water
- Channel edges with rocky structure adjacent to spawning areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with heavy weights positioned near bottom structure
- Vertical Jigging Deep (20'+) with large soft plastics
- Trolling Deep (20'+) along contour breaks near rocky structure
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-summer patterns
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
- Various bottom-dwelling forage fish in rocky habitat
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
