| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning grounds, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are showing preference for rocky structure in moderate depths, with increased feeding activity during warming trends
| - Boulder fields and rock piles in 12-20 foot depth range
- Transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning bays
- Protected coves with hard bottom structure
| - Drop Shot with slow, subtle presentations
- Tubes worked methodically around boulder fields
- Hard Jerkbaits with extended pauses
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are staging along transition areas and beginning to move shallow, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are relating to the first significant break or structure adjacent to eventual spawning areas like protected docks and coves
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning coves
- Shallow brush piles in 5-10 feet of water near dock areas
- First drop-offs near submerged vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transition areas
- Bladed Jigs around brush piles and emerging vegetation
- Shakey Heads on points and near dock posts
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Minnows schooling along transition areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning to spawning areas, moving from winter depths to shallower staging areas and eventually to nesting sites. They become increasingly territorial and aggressive as water temperatures rise.
- Fish are making frequent movements between deeper staging areas (8-15 feet) and shallow spawning flats (2-6 feet), especially during warmer periods of the day.
| - Hard-bottom areas near points and coves in 2-6 feet of water, especially those with scattered rock or gravel beds ideal for spawning
- Deeper secondary points in 8-15 feet adjacent to spawning flats, serving as staging areas
- Protected bays with rock or boulder structure that warm up faster than main lake areas
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky transitions between staging and spawning areas
- Ned Rigs presented with subtle movements around potential spawning sites
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses to trigger reaction strikes from territorial fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy, particularly active around rocky areas
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn patterns around points and flats
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Staging on points and shallow flats adjacent to spawning areas, gradually moving into protected spawning locations as water warms
- Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas around docks and vegetation, while females move between staging and spawning areas
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom near docks
- Main lake points adjacent to spawning bays
- Shallow areas with submerged vegetation in 2-6 foot depth range
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and dock areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly on staging areas
- Shakey Heads for finesse presentation to bedding fish
| - Bluegill in shallow spawning areas
- Minnows around dock areas and vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 68-75 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding and recovering energy, showing aggressive behavior particularly during morning hours and wind-driven conditions
- Fish are transitioning between shallow and moderate depths throughout the day, with reports showing movement from rocky areas to 10-foot flats
| - Rock piles and rocky areas in shallow water, particularly during morning hours
- Underwater saddles surrounded by deep water
- Sand flats in 10 foot depth range for afternoon feeding
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with moderate pauses to trigger reaction strikes
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around structure
- Lipless Crankbaits for covering water and targeting active fish
| - Crawfish actively moving on rocky structure
- Minnows in shallow to moderate depths
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish moving between shallow and intermediate depths (5-15 feet) throughout the day, utilizing shade and cover
| - Secondary points near spawning pockets with submerged vegetation
- Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those with brush
- Shallow flats with mixed vegetation near deeper water access
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation and dock areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water between productive areas
- Shakey Heads near dock posts and brush pile edges
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Young of year baitfish starting to school
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
