| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming temperatures
- Fish are feeding more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, focusing on larger meals
- Movement patterns show fish relating to transition areas between deeper winter haunts and eventual spawning flats
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats with matted grass
- Shallow docks (2-4 feet) near deeper water access
- First emerging lily pad fields in protected coves
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs along dock edges and through sparse grass
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around dock posts and vegetation edges
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow near vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Bluegill transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging, becoming more active in shallow zones with increased light penetration
- Fish actively feeding on invertebrates and small organisms around emerging vegetation, particularly during warmer parts of the day
| - Shallow bays and coves with emerging vegetation, especially areas with new reed growth
- Protected areas between docks in 3-6 feet of water
- Edges of lily pad fields where they meet slightly deeper water
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Bobbers
- Ice Fishing Jigs
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Emerging invertebrates around new vegetation
- Zooplankton in shallow water columns
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow spawning flats, particularly around vegetation and docks
- Males will be actively guarding nests in shallow water (1-4 feet), while females stage slightly deeper on nearby drop-offs between spawning movements
| - Protected shallow bays with matted grass and lily pad stems
- Dock areas with adjacent vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around vegetation and dock posts
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water between spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits worked slowly through shallow cover
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish in warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively moving into shallow spawning areas (2-4 feet) around vegetation and docks, with males establishing and guarding nests
- Most aggressive during daylight hours when water temperatures are optimal for spawning activity
| - Protected shallow bays with lily pads and matted grass in 2-4 feet of water
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks with firm bottom composition
- Reed edges in protected coves where spawning colonies often establish
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-2 feet deep
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Live Bait Rigs
| - Small insects and larvae
- Zooplankton
- Tiny crustaceans
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively guarding fry and feeding opportunistically around bluegill beds in shallow cover
- Fish are showing aggressive responses to baits around dock structure and willing to strike both slow-moving bottom baits and suspended presentations
| - Docks with adjacent spawning flats where bluegill are bedding
- Shallow vegetation edges near dock areas
- Protected coves with matted grass
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly around dock posts and edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock shade lines and vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits for suspended fish around dock areas
| - Bluegill (primary forage currently spawning in shallows)
- Young of year baitfish emerging in vegetation
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 63-72 | - Post-spawn bluegill transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively foraging in shallow zones with good light penetration
- Fish congregating around vegetation edges and dock areas, seeking both cover and feeding opportunities in the stained water conditions
| - Edges of reed beds and lily pads in 2-6 feet of water
- Shallow dock areas, especially those adjacent to vegetation
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Bobbers
- Inline Spinners
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Zooplankton
- Small crustaceans
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
