| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding while moving between deeper structure and shallow spawning zones
- Fish are showing increased activity during warming trends, particularly around mid-day when water temperatures peak
| - Rock piles and offshore structure in 10-20 foot range serving as primary staging areas
- Bridge structures and roadbeds with access to deeper water
- Protected shallow areas with stumps and docks for transitioning fish
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock piles and structure
- Structure Jigs dragged methodically through staging areas
- Hard Jerkbaits worked around transitional areas
- Shakey Heads on offshore structure and around docks
| - Shad schools around deeper structure
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 43-58 | - Crappie are transitioning from winter deep patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise above 43°F
- Fish are beginning to move from deep timber to shallower staging areas, with black crappie typically leading this migration
| - Standing timber in 10-20 foot depth range, particularly where it intersects with creek channels
- Secondary points and creek arms with brush piles in 9-16 foot range
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation where water warms first
| - Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around standing timber and brush piles
- Crappie Spider Rigging to cover water and find active fish
- Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along staging areas
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish beginning to become more active
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 67-83 | - Bass are actively moving into spawning pockets and staging areas, with fish holding tight to cover in flat areas and spawning zones
- Most active during early morning periods, particularly around sunrise, with reduced activity during bright midday conditions
| - Grass edges in flat area coves and spawning pockets
- Flooded brush and reeds near spawning areas
- Dam spillways and shallow structure with good spawning substrate
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked around vegetation and cover
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) near spawning pocket entrances
- Buzzbaits during low light conditions around vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits around structure and staging areas
| - Shad moving into spawning areas
- Minnows around structure and vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie are moving into shallow staging areas and spawning zones, particularly around standing timber and brush piles in 3-8 foot depths
- Males are establishing and guarding nests while females move in and out of spawning areas in waves
- Fish are most active during early morning and evening periods, with increased shallow water comfort due to moderate water clarity
| - Standing timber in protected coves and creek arms in 3-8 foot depths
- Brush piles near spawning flats in 6-10 foot range
- Protected shoreline areas with irregular features like points and pockets
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
| - Young-of-year shad beginning to emerge
- Small bluegill and sunfish fry
- Various small minnow species
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-78 | - Bass are transitioning to their summer patterns, becoming more active and feeding heavily to recover from spawn. They're establishing territories around primary structural elements.
- Fish are primarily feeding during early morning and late evening, with shorter feeding windows during midday around shade or deeper structure.
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 foot range, especially near deeper water access
- Secondary points with brush piles and laydowns
- Bridge pilings and adjacent riprap with shade
- Offshore structure like rock piles in 10-20 foot range
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to grass lines during cloudy conditions or early/late
- Shakey Heads around deeper structure and brush piles
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points and riprap
| - Shad schools beginning to concentrate in post-spawn patterns
- Bluegill preparing for spawn in shallow areas
- Crawfish active in rocky areas and around vegetation
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 68-75 | - Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy but still relating to shoreline-oriented cover
- Fish are becoming more structure-oriented, gathering around standing timber and brush piles, particularly during bright conditions
| - Standing timber in 8-12 foot depth range near spawning flats
- Brush piles positioned on points and creek channel swings in 9-16 foot range
- Shaded dock areas in coves, especially those with deeper water access
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) along depth transitions near post-spawn areas
- Crappie Dock Shooting during bright conditions when fish seek shade
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around standing timber and brush piles
| - Young-of-year shad beginning to school in the upper water column
- Small bluegill and sunfish around shallow cover
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
