| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Fish are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy for spawning
- Most active during warmer parts of the day, relating heavily to hard structure like rip rap and pilings that warm up quickly
| - Rip rap banks receiving sun exposure
- Dock pilings, especially those near spawning pockets
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to rip rap
- Shakey Heads worked slowly around pilings
- Tubes dragged and hopped near structure
| - Shad schooling near warming structure
- Crappie in similar pre-spawn staging areas
- Crawfish becoming active on rip rap
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-66 | - Smallmouth bass are actively transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, following the warming trend as water temperatures rise into the 60s
- Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive in feeding patterns, bulking up before the spawn while maintaining proximity to eventual spawning areas
- Movement patterns show fish relating heavily to transitional structure between deep wintering areas and shallow spawning flats
| - Rocky points and transitions adjacent to deeper wintering areas
- Submerged boulder fields in 8-15 foot depth range
- Riprap areas that warm quickly and hold crawfish
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Lipless Crankbaits with moderate retrieve around vegetation edges
- Blade Baits worked vertically near deep structure transition areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Baitfish schools in transition areas
- Small panfish around vegetation edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 54-66 | - Bluegill transitioning from deeper winter areas to warming shallows, staging near spawning areas but not yet on beds
- Actively feeding during warming trends, especially during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 6-12 feet of water near potential spawning flats
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
- Rip rap areas that warm quickly on sunny days
| - Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended just above vegetation
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light jigs tipped with plastics
- Bobbers with suspended presentations near emerging vegetation
| - Small aquatic insects emerging with warming water
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
- Tiny baitfish fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, actively moving between staging areas and shallow spawning flats. Recent reports showing activity around rip rap in 62-64°F water indicates pre-spawn staging behavior.
- Fish are showing selective feeding patterns, requiring slower presentations as noted in recent reports, particularly after rain events when water clarity is reduced
| - Rip rap areas, particularly those adjacent to spawning flats, as confirmed by multiple recent fishing reports
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation, ideal for spawning activities
- Secondary points near spawning areas serving as staging locations
| - Structure Jigs worked slowly along rip rap, proven effective in recent reports
- Bladed Jigs in white, particularly effective in areas with reduced visibility
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for targeting bass around shallow cover
| - Crawfish, primary forage as indicated by recent fishing reports and lake profile inferences
- Minnows, confirmed as secondary forage in recent fishing reports
| - Dark Neutrals
- Light Neutral Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-68 | - Pre-spawn to spawning behavior with males guarding nests in shallow areas near hard bottom and females staging nearby
- Active feeding periods during stable weather, targeting baitfish around transition areas between deeper water and spawning flats
| - Boulder fields and rocky areas in 3-8 feet of water for spawning
- Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to hard bottom areas
- Secondary points with mixed rock and vegetation
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Lipless Crankbaits burned through vegetation edges
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations for pressured fish
| - Minnows
- Small panfish
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-70 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats with vegetation, moving into spawning areas when water temperatures stabilize
- Males aggressively guarding nests in colonies, typically in protected areas with firm bottom
- Increased feeding activity during morning and evening hours, with males becoming territorial during peak spawning
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Hard-bottom areas near lily pad fields
- Shallow coves with mix of vegetation and firm bottom
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-2 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through spawning areas
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Tiny crustaceans
- Small minnows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, focusing on crawfish and baitfish in shallow areas
- Fish are relating strongly to shoreline structure, particularly rip rap areas, making frequent feeding moves throughout the day
| - Rip rap banks with good sun exposure, especially where crawfish are present
- Shallow weedy bays adjacent to spawning areas
- Points and transition areas with submerged vegetation
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to rip rap
- Swim Jigs worked through vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover
| - Crawfish - primary forage around rip rap areas
- Small Baitfish - secondary forage in weedy areas
- Bluegill - becoming more active in vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, targeting baitfish and crawfish around transitional structures between spawning flats and summer haunts
- Fish are establishing predictable daily movement patterns, generally feeding more aggressively during early morning and evening hours
- Bass are utilizing various depth ranges throughout the day, moving shallower during low light and deeper during bright conditions
| - Rocky points and boulder fields adjacent to spawning flats in 8-15 feet of water
- Submerged vegetation edges near deep water access
- Riprap banks with good depth transitions
| - Drop Shot with small profile baits worked slowly along bottom structure
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
- Ned Rigs worked with subtle movements around transition areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) retrieved steadily along weed edges
| - Minnows/Small Baitfish
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Young of year panfish
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 66-75 | - Bluegill transitioning to post-spawn feeding patterns, moving from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper vegetation edges
- Actively feeding during morning and evening hours, becoming more aggressive as they recover from spawning activities
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 feet of water
- Submerged vegetation near drop-offs
- Secondary points with mixed vegetation and rip rap
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended near weed edges
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') along vegetation edges
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
| - Small insects and larvae emerging in vegetation
- Young-of-year baitfish
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
