| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 50-57 | - Spotted bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn, actively feeding but still relating to deeper structure near spawning areas
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and starting to chase bait, with some suspended in creek mouths and others holding on structure
| - Creek channel mouths with 10-15 foot depth, especially where they meet the main lake
- Deep guts in the backs of creek channels
- Points and ledges adjacent to spawning flats
| - Drop Shot with finesse worms in suspended areas
- Underspins with small swimbaits for aggressive fish
- Deep diving crankbaits on ledges and points
- Shakey heads with finesse worms in creek channels
| - Crawfish emerging in warming water
- Suspended baitfish in creek mouths
- Blueback herring in main lake areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-71 | - Fish are transitioning from winter deep-water patterns to staging areas near spawning flats, following the warming trend as temperatures rise from high 40s into the 60s
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased aggression and feeding activity during stable weather patterns
| - Rocky points with transition areas from shallow to deep water, particularly those adjacent to spawning pockets
- Creek channel bends near potential spawning flats
- Deep-water docks providing staging areas with quick access to shallow water
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transition zones from deep to shallow water
- Structure Jigs worked slowly around rocky points and channel bends
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses in 8-15 foot zones
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Blueback herring following similar seasonal movements as shad
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas as water warms
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along transitional structure like points and bluff walls, following baitfish schools and responding to daily temperature changes
| - Rocky points with deep water access, particularly those near spawning flats
- Bluff walls and steep structural features in 10-20 foot depth range
- Secondary points in major creek arms where baitfish schools are present
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near structure
- Blade Baits worked vertically along steep structure
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish
| - Blueback Herring schooling in transitional areas
- Shad concentrating near points and creek channels
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 62-70 | - Spotted bass are actively moving between pre-spawn staging areas and spawning flats, utilizing rock shelves and ledges as transition zones
- Fish are showing aggressive feeding behavior on crawfish in shallow water (1-2 feet) but maintaining access to deeper water
- Most active feeding occurring during the fall of baits, particularly off ledges, indicating ambush behavior
| - Secondary points with rock shelves in 8-10 foot range
- Ledges and shelves near spawning banks
- First 3/4 of pocket areas with access to deeper water
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly with slack line falls
- Texas Rigs (Worming) targeting rock shelves
- Shakey Heads worked along ledge transitions
| - Crawfish on rocky structures
- Blueback Herring in open water
- Shad along transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 59-71 | - Largemouth bass are transitioning into spawning behavior, moving from pre-spawn staging areas to shallow spawning flats and protected coves
- Males are establishing and guarding nests in shallow protected areas, while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning zones
- Feeding activity is heightened during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawning
| - Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom for spawning
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats for staging
- Deep-water docks near spawning areas providing cover
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transition areas
- Spinnerbaits in slightly stained water around shoreline cover
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Blueback herring moving shallow for their own spawn
- Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Males beginning to create and defend nests in protected rocky areas, particularly in warmer afternoons
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior as water temperatures approach optimal spawning range
| - Rocky points adjacent to spawning flats in 4-8 foot depth range
- Protected pockets near bluff walls with gravel or small boulder bottom composition
- Secondary points in major creek arms with gradual slopes
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky transitions
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations around potential spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses to trigger defensive strikes
| - Blueback Herring moving shallow for their own spawn
- Shad schools beginning to concentrate in spawning pockets
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming water
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 59-71 | - Actively chasing baitfish in the upper water column, especially around points and bluff walls, with aggressive feeding behavior on moving baits
- Suspending under deep docks and relating to rock structure, showing preference for fast, erratic presentations
| - Clay points and 45-degree banks with rocky structure
- Deep docks in 50-100 foot range
- Bluff walls off the main lake in 10-30 foot range
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked fast and erratic around points
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to bluff walls
- Neko Rigs for suspended fish under deep docks
| - Blueback Herring schooling in open water near points
- Shad concentrations along bluff walls
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 59-71 | - Post-spawn largemouth are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, moving from spawning flats to nearby feeding areas
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, using points and deeper structure as transition zones while feeding heavily on shad and herring
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats with rock structure
- Deep-water docks near channel swings
- Rocky points with access to deeper water
| - Swim Jigs worked parallel to shoreline and through transition areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along rocky points
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for targeting actively feeding fish
| - Shad schools beginning to form in post-spawn patterns
- Blueback herring actively feeding in transition areas
- Crawfish active in rocky areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-71 | - Fish are actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones, particularly around rocky structure and woody cover as they recover from spawning
- Showing aggressive topwater feeding behavior during low light conditions, suggesting a willingness to move up in the water column
| - Rocky points with nearby deep water access
- Shallow flats with scattered wood cover near spawning areas
- Bluff walls with boulder fields
| - Hard Topwater (Prop) during low light periods
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for active fish
- Drop Shot when fish are less active or deeper
| | - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
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