| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass actively moving from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, following warming trends
- Feeding increasing in intensity as water warms, with fish relating strongly to transition areas between deep and shallow water
| - Secondary points and creek channels adjacent to spawning flats
- Areas with submerged vegetation near shallow spawning areas
- Rocky points and boulder fields that warm quickly
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging grass
- Bladed Jigs along transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over structure
| - Bluegill beginning to become more active in the shallows
- Shad schools concentrated in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-68 | - Pre-spawn catfish becoming more active as water warms, moving from winter deep-water areas to transitional depths near creek channels
- Beginning to stage near spawning areas but still focused on feeding heavily to build energy reserves
- Most active during dawn and dusk, using structure as ambush points for feeding
| - Creek channel bends with adjacent structure in 10-15 foot depths
- Rocky areas and boulder fields warming faster than surrounding waters
- Areas near shallow flats with access to deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow, bottom-focused presentation
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly through transitional areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around structure
- Small baitfish in creek channels
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Bluegill are transitioning from deeper winter areas to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to establish territories near spawning areas but not yet on beds, actively feeding to build energy reserves
| - Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access
- Dock areas in 4-8 feet of water, particularly those near spawning flats
- Creek channel edges where they meet shallow flats
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms worked slowly
- Inline Spinners retrieved slowly around dock posts and vegetation edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Newly hatched fry and minnows
| - Pink Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass actively spawning in shallow, sunny areas with sandy substrate, aggressively defending nests
- Fish moving between spawning flats and nearby staging areas, with most activity in 2-6 foot depth range
| - Sandy flats in shallow, sunny areas where spawning beds are visible
- Protected coves with gradual slopes and vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats serving as staging areas
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around visible beds
- Wacky Rigs fished weightless for sight fishing spawners
- Soft Jerkbaits for fish moving between beds and staging areas
| - Bluegill gathering around spawning areas
- Small baitfish in staging areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 58-70 | - Moving into shallow, warmer areas (2-8 feet) near spawning locations, particularly around creek channels and rocky areas
- Becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, feeding heavily to prepare for spawning
- Using structure like boulders and docks as staging areas before moving to spawning sites
| - Creek channel intersections with rock or boulder fields in 5-10 foot depths
- Areas near docks with adjacent shallow flats
- Submerged vegetation edges near deeper water access
| - Live Bait Rigs with slow, bottom-focused presentations
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near staging areas
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow areas
- Small baitfish gathering around submerged vegetation
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegill moving into shallow, protected areas with firm bottom for spawning, typically forming colonies in 2-4 feet of water
- Males actively guarding nests and becoming aggressive, making them more likely to strike at small prey and perceived threats
- Pre-spawn females staging slightly deeper, moving between spawning areas and nearby deeper water
| - Protected coves with firm bottom and sparse vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Shallow areas near docks and seawalls with gravel or sandy bottom
- Grass edges and vegetation in 4-6 feet of water where pre-spawn females stage
| - Bobbers with small live bait or soft plastics suspended 2-3 feet deep
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around bedding areas
- Ice Fishing Jigs worked slowly near spawning colonies
| - Small insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans
- Small minnows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-75 | - Bass are recovering from spawn and establishing summer patterns, actively feeding in transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water
- Fish are becoming more active throughout the day as they replenish energy, with peak feeding during morning and evening hours
| - Secondary points and drop-offs adjacent to spawning flats
- Grass edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Dock areas providing shade and ambush points
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along drop-offs and grass edges
- Swim Jigs paralleling grass lines and dock edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through scattered grass and around docks
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow grass and around docks
- Shad schools moving along grass edges and points
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 62-72 | - Post-spawn catfish are becoming more active and starting to establish regular feeding patterns, primarily during dawn and dusk periods
- Fish are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallower feeding zones, following creek channels as migration routes
- Showing increased aggression and willingness to chase prey, particularly around structure and in areas with concentrated bluegill populations
| - Creek channel edges where they intersect with submerged vegetation
- Boulder fields and rocky areas in 8-15 foot depths
- Dock areas with nearby deep water access
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or live bluegill positioned near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly through rocky areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around docks and vegetation
- Small baitfish gathering in warming shallows
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegill are transitioning to post-spawn patterns, moving from shallow spawning areas to nearby feeding zones along weed edges and dock structures
- Fish are becoming more active feeders, targeting insects and small crustaceans in and around vegetation
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 feet of water
- Shaded areas under docks and near seawalls
- Submerged vegetation patches near creek channels
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended at varying depths around structure
- Crappie Dock Shooting with micro jigs under docks and seawalls
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or crickets near weed edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans and zooplankton
- Small worms and leeches
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
|
