| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise
- Feeding activity increases during this pre-spawn period, with fish actively searching for high-protein forage to prepare for spawning
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats in 8-12 foot depth
- Deep weed edge transitions where winter and spring patterns intersect
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation, especially on north-facing banks that warm faster
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Blade Baits worked slowly through staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses for cold fronts
| - Perch schooling in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
- Bluegill moving toward spawning areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
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| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Prespawn staging fish holding off primary spawning flats, moving slowly and deliberately due to cooler than normal temperatures (61°F)
- Fish are showing preference for subtle presentations, avoiding aggressive moving baits due to cooler conditions
| - Outside edges of pencil reeds where they transition to deeper water
- Deep weed edges in 8-15 foot range, particularly near potential spawning flats
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation leading to spawning bays
| - Neko Rigs worked slowly along weed edges with subtle twitches
- Shakey Heads dragged slowly through transitional areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses between twitches
| - Minnows concentrated along weed edges
- Small bluegills beginning to move shallow
- Perch relating to deeper vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 70-74 | - Post-spawn largemouth transitioning to deeper water, actively feeding to recover energy along weed edges and points
- Most active during cloudy conditions, utilizing 8-15 foot depths with aggressive feeding periods
| - Deep weed edges in 8-15 foot range, particularly where submerged vegetation meets deeper water
- Secondary points with access to deeper water and vegetation
- Transition areas between shallow spawning bays and summer deep-water haunts
| - Drop Shot with 6-inch finesse worms, worked slowly along weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Worming) along deeper weed edges
| - Perch moving along weed edges
- Bluegill establishing in vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|