| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding but still temperature dependent
- Fish are showing increased aggression toward moving baits, especially around submerged vegetation edges
| - Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to deeper water
- Secondary points with vegetation near spawning pockets
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches
- Lipless Crankbaits worked through vegetation tops
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along vegetation edges
| - Bluegill holding in vegetation
- Small baitfish transitioning to shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 55-65 | - Catfish beginning to move from deeper winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas as water temperatures rise, becoming more active in feeding patterns
- Fish transitioning between deeper channels and adjacent shallow flats, especially during warmer afternoons
- Increasingly aggressive feeding behavior as they prepare for spawning season, particularly active during dawn and dusk periods
| - Deep channels adjacent to submerged vegetation where catfish stage
- Structure-rich areas near depth changes, especially around points and coves
- Shallow flats with nearby deep-water access
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along channel edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged through transitional areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during afternoon warming periods
| - Bluegill concentrating in vegetation edges
- Small baitfish schools in warming shallows
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates becoming more active
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass transitioning from pre-spawn staging areas to spawning flats, actively searching for and creating spawning beds in protected areas
- Males becoming territorial and aggressive, defending nesting sites, while females move between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish particularly active during morning and evening hours
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation, especially in areas with firm bottom composition
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with vegetation
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, where vegetation provides cover
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around vegetation and potential spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with subtle twitches near spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs fished with dead-stick presentation around bed areas
- Spinnerbaits worked slowly along the edges of vegetation
| - Bluegill gathering in similar spawning areas
- Small baitfish moving into shallow areas with warming water
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 58-72 | - Catfish becoming more active as water temperatures rise above 60°F, moving into shallower pre-spawn areas near structure
- Males beginning to search for and prepare spawning cavities in protected areas, while females stage in adjacent deeper water
- Increased feeding activity during dawn and dusk, especially around vegetation edges where bluegill concentrate
| - Protected coves with submerged wood or rock structure for spawning
- Vegetation edges adjacent to deeper channels
- Points and irregular shoreline areas with structure
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or nightcrawlers near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through spawning areas
| - Bluegill concentrating near vegetation
- Small baitfish gathering in warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Fish are recovering from spawn and establishing summer feeding patterns, actively feeding in vegetation edges and transition areas
- Bass are moving between shallow and mid-depth areas throughout the day, responding to sunlight and temperature changes
| - Outside edges of submerged vegetation in 5-12 feet of water
- Points and coves with access to deeper water
- Shaded areas near shoreline structure during bright conditions
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through submerged vegetation
- Spinnerbaits parallel to vegetation edges in moderate wind
| - Bluegill in and around vegetation
- Young of year shad beginning to school
- Juvenile panfish in shallow to mid-depth ranges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 60-72 | - Post-spawn catfish are beginning to actively feed, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper feeding zones near structure
- Fish are becoming more active with warming temperatures, primarily feeding during dawn, dusk, and night hours
| - Deep channels adjacent to vegetated areas where baitfish concentrate
- Structure elements like points and coves that provide ambush opportunities
- Transition areas between shallow and deep water near bluegill spawning areas
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or live bluegill positioned near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') during low light periods
- Carolina Rigs with scented baits dragged along bottom near structure
| - Bluegill
- Small baitfish concentrating in vegetation
- Crawfish emerging in warming waters
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
