| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from deeper winter haunts to shallower transition zones near spawning areas
- Actively feeding during warming trends, with most aggressive behavior during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
- Congregating in schools, particularly in areas with quick access to both shallow spawning flats and deeper water
| - Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Offshore humps with 8-15 foot depths near spawning areas
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Hover/Mid-Strolling
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - Small minnows
- Young of the year baitfish
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter depths to shallow spawning areas, staging on the first significant structure they encounter
- Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with bass becoming more aggressive but still relatively lethargic compared to peak spawn
| - Secondary points and transitions near spawning flats
- Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning areas
- Offshore humps in 10-foot range that provide staging areas
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses
- Blade Baits for actively feeding fish
| - Minnows gathering in pre-spawn areas
- Small panfish in transitional areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around emerging vegetation and protected shoreline areas in 2-6 feet of water
- Males will be the first to move shallow and construct nests, with females staging slightly deeper until ready to spawn
- Due to high water clarity, peak feeding activity will occur during dawn/dusk periods or overcast conditions
| - Weed edges in 4-6 feet of water, particularly in protected areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially near any available cover
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around cover
- Crappie Dock Shooting when targeting fish under available cover during bright conditions
| - Small minnows
- Emerging insects and larvae
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Pre-spawn bass are staging near spawning flats, moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning locations based on daily temperature fluctuations
- Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive as they prepare for spawning, but remain cautious in the clear water
- Males are creating and guarding nests in protected areas, while females move between staging and spawning areas
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom near deeper water access
- Emerging weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range
- Offshore humps near spawning flats serving as staging areas
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly and erratically near emerging vegetation
- Ned Rigs finessed along transition areas between staging and spawning zones
- Shakey Heads worked methodically through potential spawning areas
| - Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
- Emerging crayfish becoming more active with warming water
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer holding areas, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are light-sensitive in the clear water (4.3m secchi), preferring cover during bright conditions and becoming more active during overcast periods or dawn/dusk
| - Weed edges in 8-12 foot depths, particularly near deeper water access
- Suspended over offshore humps in 12-15 foot range
- Deeper brush piles near spawning flats serving as transition holding areas
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') over suspended schools
- Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges during prime feeding periods
| - Small minnows in 1-2 inch range
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Small aquatic insects near weed edges
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are recovering from spawn, transitioning from shallow nesting areas to deeper feeding areas while remaining relatively active
- During early morning and evening, bass are actively patrolling weed edges for food, moving to slightly deeper water during bright conditions due to clear water
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot range
- Offshore humps with vegetation in 10-foot depth range
- Deeper weedlines near any available points or breaks
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along weed edges for a finesse approach in clear water
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses to trigger reaction strikes
- Wacky Rigs fished with subtle movements near vegetation
| - Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Bluegills moving shallow for their spawn
- Minnows congregating around weed edges
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
