How to Fish Logan Martin Lake

Logan Martin Lake fishing FAQ

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Spotted bass are transitioning into pre-spawn patterns, actively feeding around current-influenced areas and dock structures during midday warming periods Fish are staging near spawning areas but making frequent feeding movements to nearby structure, particularly during stable weather periods Key locations: Main river docks with deep water access; Secondary points near spawning pockets; Channel swing banks with rocky structure. Best techniques: Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked around dock posts and edges, Bladed Jigs worked parallel to dock lines, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock posts and nearby cover. Primary forage: Crawfish emerging in shallow areas, Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas, Bluegill around dock structures. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 52-62°F. Bass are actively transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more aggressive in their feeding behavior as evidenced by the reaction strikes on fast-moving crankbaits Fish are relating strongly to rocky structure on secondary points, showing increased activity levels with shorter jerkbait pause times of 2-4 seconds indicating active feeding Key locations: Secondary points with rock structure - primary staging areas for pre-spawn bass; Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water - transition zones for warming periods; Protected coves with abundant dock coverage - secondary staging areas. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits with short 2-4 second pauses, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked aggressively over rocks with periodic pauses, Bladed Jigs around transition areas between rocks and other structure. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage base as indicated in recent fishing reports, Crawfish - becoming more active on rocky areas during spring warm-up. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Purple Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Pre-Spawn)?

Water temp 55-65°F. Pre-spawn crappie are staging near spawning areas and actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are moving from deeper winter haunts to shallower transitional areas, particularly during warming trends Key locations: Protected coves and pockets with brush piles in 8-15 feet of water; Secondary points leading into spawning bays; Dock posts and pilings in 6-12 feet of water. Best techniques: Crappie Spider Rigging, Crappie Dock Shooting, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'). Primary forage: Shad schools transitioning to shallower water, Small baitfish gathering near warming shorelines. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Pink Colors.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Spotted bass actively transitioning to spawning areas, utilizing rock piles and other hard bottom areas for bed development Fish showing aggressive feeding patterns with both shallow and offshore movements, as evidenced by Carolina rig and Damiki rig success Key locations: Rock piles and hard bottom areas in pre-spawn staging zones; Secondary points near spawning pockets; Offshore structure with deep water access for transitioning fish. Best techniques: Carolina Rigs worked along rocky transitions, Damiki Rig for suspended fish near offshore structure, Shakey Heads around spawning areas. Primary forage: Shad schools in pre-spawn staging areas, Bluegill beginning to move shallow near spawning areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Light Neutral Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-72°F. Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, actively establishing and guarding nests in shallow water 0-6 feet deep Fish are aggressively defending territories and responding to reaction baits paralleling the bank Male bass remain shallow throughout the day, while females move between shallow and slightly deeper staging areas Key locations: Shallow points with mixed rock and gravel in 0-6 feet; Protected shallow coves with firm bottom; Shallow areas near docks providing spawning habitat. Best techniques: Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover, Spinnerbaits along points and shallow flats. Primary forage: Shad schooling in shallow water, Bluegill beginning to nest in similar areas, Crawfish active in rocky areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Spawn)?

Water temp 58-68°F. Crappie moving into shallow spawning areas between 2-6 feet deep, staging near brush, laydowns, and dock posts as water temperatures stabilize Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making frequent trips to spawning areas Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial and less feeding-focused during actual spawn Key locations: Protected shallow coves with brush piles and laydowns in 2-6 feet of water; Dock posts and pilings in spawning depth ranges; Secondary points leading into spawning coves. Best techniques: Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling), Crappie Dock Shooting, Bobbers. Primary forage: Small shad in the 1-2 inch range, Small bluegill and juvenile sunfish, Small minnows gathering in spawning areas. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Pink Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 58-75°F. Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, targeting shad and bluegill in shallow to moderate depths Relating to current breaks and ambush points, especially during power generation periods Moving between points and pockets as they transition from spawning areas to early summer patterns Key locations: Main lake and secondary points, especially those with deep water access; Back of pockets with submerged vegetation; Current-swept rocky areas and riprap near dams; Slack water areas adjacent to current seams. Best techniques: Drop Shot along points and depth transitions, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to shoreline structure, Spinnerbaits around current breaks and rocky areas, Ned Rigs around submerged vegetation. Primary forage: Shad schooling in pockets and around points, Bluegill in and around submerged vegetation, Crawfish active on rocky structure and riprap. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 65-72°F. Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, focusing on shallow areas 1-4 feet deep near cover Fish are most active during late morning hours, with decreased activity in early afternoon as verified by recent reports Key locations: Flooded brush and laydowns in 2-4 feet of water; Bank areas with brush piles in 1-4 feet; Grass edges near shallow flats. Best techniques: Bladed Jigs worked through shallow cover, Spinnerbaits around laydowns and brush, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to banks. Primary forage: Shad - primary forage confirmed by recent reports, Bluegill moving shallow for spawn. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Spring (Post-Spawn)?

Water temp 68-75°F. Post-spawn crappie are recovering and beginning to move to early summer patterns, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to slightly deeper water near structure Fish are actively feeding to recover energy, targeting shad and small baitfish in areas with good cover and moderate depth Key locations: Dock edges in 8-15 feet of water, especially those near deeper water access; Brush piles and laydowns in 10-20 feet of water along channel edges; Creek channel intersections with abundant cover. Best techniques: Crappie Dock Shooting, Crappie Spider Rigging, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'). Primary forage: Shad, Small Sunfish, Juvenile Baitfish. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Summer?

Water temp 82-94°F. Spotted bass are actively feeding in two distinct patterns: surface activity early/late near current breaks and structure, and deeper structure-oriented feeding during midday heat Fish are suspending near vertical structure like docks and the dam during peak temperatures, taking advantage of cooler water layers in the 80s below the hot surface temps in the 90s Key locations: Main lake docks with deep water access, especially those near river channels; Points and rip rap areas with current exposure, particularly early and late in the day; Dam area with vertical structure and cooler water layers. Best techniques: Hard Topwater (Walking) early and late in the day when fish are actively feeding on surface, Finesse Jigs worked slowly around dock posts and shade lines, Damiki Rig for suspended fish around vertical structure, Texas Rigs (Worming) along deep banks and river channels. Primary forage: Shad schooling near surface and around structure, Bluegill around docks and other vertical structure. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Summer?

Water temp 82-89°F. Largemouth bass are establishing summer patterns, relating heavily to shade and cover during daylight hours, particularly around docks and brush piles as evidenced in recent reports Fish are showing clear preference for bluegill and crawfish forage, with multiple catches reported on bluegill-imitating baits near dock structures Key locations: Docks with deep water access, particularly houseboat docks as mentioned in recent successful reports; Brush piles in 10-15 foot depth range, especially those near deep water as noted in recent catches; Lily pad fields, which provide shade and cover for active fish. Best techniques: Finesse Jigs worked slowly around dock posts and brush piles, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around docks and cover, Frogs/Toads worked over lily pads during morning and evening periods, Shakey Heads worked through brush piles, especially effective in 10-15 foot depth range. Primary forage: Bluegill - primary forage pattern shown in multiple recent reports, Crawfish - actively being targeted by bass around docks and rocky areas. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Dark Neutrals, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Summer?

Water temp 72-85°F. Crappie are suspending around deeper docks and brush piles to escape the summer heat, typically holding in 12-20 foot depths Most active feeding periods are early morning and late evening, with fish moving shallower during these low-light periods Schooling behavior is strong, following shad movements and utilizing current breaks for feeding opportunities Key locations: Deeper docks with brush piles, especially those near channel swings; River channel ledges with standing timber or brush; Deep brush piles in 15-25 foot range near major points. Best techniques: Crappie Dock Shooting, Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging. Primary forage: Shad schools in deeper water, Small bluegill around dock structures, Young-of-year baitfish around brush piles. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Natural Baitfish Colors, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Fall?

Water temp 68-83°F. Spotted bass are actively feeding on shad and bluegill, using current-influenced areas and structure as ambush points Fish are relating to transition areas between shallow and deep water, especially around docks and laydowns with deep water access Key locations: Docks that intercept river or creek channels with current; Shallow laydowns with deep water access; Rocky points adjacent to creek channels. Best techniques: Finesse Jigs worked around docks and current breaks, Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and wood cover, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') around rocky areas. Primary forage: Shad schooling in creek channels and around current-influenced structure, Bluegill suspended around dock structures. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Fall?

Water temp 58-72°F. Bass are actively feeding on crawfish and shad around docks and rocky areas, with increased activity during cloudy conditions Fish are transitioning between shallow and mid-depth zones, following baitfish movements and utilizing dock structures as ambush points Key locations: Docks with access to deeper water; Rocky points and banks; Creek channel swings near shoreline structure. Best techniques: Structure Jigs flipped to docks and wood cover, Spinnerbaits worked around docks and points during cloudy conditions, Shallow-diving crankbaits (squarebills) around rocky banks. Primary forage: Crawfish in shallow rocky areas and around dock pilings, Shad schooling around points and dock areas. Best bait colors: Dark Neutrals, Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Fall?

Water temp 58-72°F. Transitioning from summer deep water patterns to shallower feeding zones, actively feeding on shad around docks and other vertical structure Suspending at variable depths, often moving up in the water column during low-light periods and on overcast days Key locations: Docks in 8-15 feet of water, especially those near channel swings; Brush piles adjacent to deeper water; Channel edges where current creates feeding opportunities. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9'), Crappie Dock Shooting, Crappie Spider Rigging. Primary forage: Shad, Small Baitfish. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Bold Striped Patterns.

How do you catch Spotted Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Winter?

Water temp 48-53°F. Fish are keying on shad concentrations in deeper water, using river channels and drop-offs as ambush points Moving between brush piles, dock edges, and points adjacent to deep water access, especially during feeding periods Suspending in the water column near significant depth changes, particularly around bait concentrations Key locations: River channel drop-offs with major depth changes; Brush piles near docks with deep water access; Points and humps adjacent to deep water; Ditches where baitfish are congregating. Best techniques: Hard Jerkbaits worked very slowly with long pauses, Umbrella Rigs run close to bottom on drop-offs, Shakey Heads around brush piles and dock structure, Ned Rigs worked slowly around brush and dock areas. Primary forage: Shad concentrating in ditches and near channel edges, Bluegill around dock structures. Best bait colors: Bold Striped Patterns, Vibrant Craw Colors, Chartreuse Colors.

How do you catch Largemouth Bass on Logan Martin Lake in Winter?

Water temp 48-55°F. Bass are actively following and feeding on shad schools in 15-20 foot depths, making periodic moves to shallower water when bait is present Fish are positioning on specific pieces of cover (wood, docks, riprap) as ambush points, often requiring multiple presentations to trigger strikes Activity levels increase during mid-day hours when water temperatures warm slightly Key locations: Main lake points and creek channels in 15-20 foot depth range with nearby baitfish schools; Docks and laydowns in protected pockets, especially those with deeper water access; Riprap banks with gradual drops, particularly in areas where wind creates current. Best techniques: Umbrella Rigs worked through suspended bait schools, Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along riprap and wood cover, Structure Jigs flipped to docks and laydowns, Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along ledges and points. Primary forage: Shad schools suspended in 15-20 foot range, Crawfish around hard cover and riprap, Smaller baitfish in shallow pockets. Best bait colors: Vibrant Craw Colors, Bold Striped Patterns, Dark Neutrals.

How do you catch Crappie on Logan Martin Lake in Winter?

Water temp 48-55°F. Crappie are schooling tightly in deeper water, typically suspended near structure or along channel edges Feeding activity is reduced but concentrated during prime feeding windows, especially during stable weather patterns Key locations: Deep brush piles and laydowns near river channel edges (15-25 feet); Deeper dock structures with vertical posts; Suspended schools near deep creek channel intersections. Best techniques: Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19'), Crappie Spider Rigging, Damiki Rig. Primary forage: Small, suspended shad schools in deeper water, Small baitfish holding tight to structure. Best bait colors: Chartreuse Colors, Dark Neutrals, Pink Colors.