| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Fish moving from winter deep water locations to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming temperatures
- Feeding activity increasing as bass prepare for spawn, with periods of heightened activity during warm, stable weather
| - Secondary points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 foot range
- Deeper wood cover and emergent vegetation edges in protected areas
- Hard bottom transitions near potential spawning areas
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through transitional areas
- Swim Jigs near emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs along depth changes
| - Bluegill concentrating near emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet), particularly seeking protected areas with firm bottom composition
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water (6-10 feet) near spawning flats
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with fish more likely to strike out of defense than hunger
| - Protected shallow flats with firm bottom, especially near deeper water access
- Emerging lily pad fields in 2-4 foot depths
- Areas with sparse to moderate emerging vegetation providing cover without overcrowding spawning sites
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked slowly around potential spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs presented with subtle movements near visible beds
- Shakey Heads for probing transitional areas where pre-spawn females stage
| - Bluegill and small panfish around spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth are recovering and beginning to actively feed, moving from spawning areas to nearby feeding zones
- Fish are utilizing weed edges and shallow cover as ambush points, particularly during morning and evening periods
| - Emerging weed edges in 4-8 foot depth range
- Lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water
- Shallow flats with scattered cover near spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Swim Jigs around scattered cover and pad edges
- Soft Jerkbaits for aggressive reaction strikes
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallows
- Young of year baitfish becoming more abundant
- Crawfish active in warmer shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
