| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging near spawning flats, making gradual movements from deeper wintering areas to pre-spawn staging areas
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawn, with increased activity during warming trends
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with submerged vegetation
- Deeper weed edges in 12-16 foot range near potential spawning flats
- Transition areas where deep water meets emerging shallow vegetation
| - Lipless Crankbaits
- Swim Jigs
- Shakey Heads
| - Bluegill beginning to become more active in warming shallows
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-55 | - Fish staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter deep water refuges to transitional structures
- Gradually becoming more active as water temperatures rise, with feeding increasing during stable weather periods
| - Rocky points and transition areas between deep wintering areas and spawning flats
- Secondary points in protected bays with harder bottom composition
- Deep weed edges adjacent to potential spawning areas
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along transitional breaks
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky points
- Drop Shot with subtle presentations in deeper staging areas
| - Crayfish becoming more active on rocky areas
- Bluegill in and around emerging weed growth
- Small baitfish schools in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, moving into spawning areas as water temperatures rise
- Males preparing and guarding nests in protected areas while females move between deeper staging areas and spawning zones
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased feeding activity during pre-spawn
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation in 2-4 feet
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats in 5-8 feet
- Deep weed edges in 12-16 feet serving as staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bedding areas
- Swim Jigs along transition areas between staging and spawning zones
- Soft Jerkbaits for aggressive pre-spawn fish
- Spinnerbaits during cloudy or windy conditions near spawning areas
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) and staging on adjacent drop-offs, actively defending nesting sites
- Males are particularly aggressive during nest defense, while females move between spawning flats and deeper staging areas
| - Rocky or gravel flats in 2-8 foot range, especially near points with quick access to deeper water
- Protected bays with firm bottom composition, particularly on the northern shoreline which receives more sun
- Secondary points and adjacent drop-offs in 12-14 foot range where pre/post spawn fish stage
| - Tubes worked slowly through spawning flats and sight fishing for visible beds
- Ned Rigs for finesse presentation around staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for covering water between spawning areas
| - Crayfish emerging from winter hibernation
- Bluegill in shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish relating to warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing the water column extensively, moving between shallow cover and deeper weed edges as they follow baitfish
| - Points and inside turns with access to deep weed edges (12-16 feet)
- Shallow bays adjacent to deeper water with emerging vegetation
- Irregular shoreline features near spawning flats with quick access to deeper water
| - Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation and along weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves in the upper water column
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked through transitional areas between shallow and deep water
| - Bluegill gathering in emerging weed growth
- Young of the year baitfish starting to school
- Crawfish active in warmer shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Moving from spawning areas to summer feeding locations, transitioning through mid-depth ranges (8-14 feet)
- Actively feeding during dawn and dusk, targeting bluegill and other forage around points and weed edges
| - Rocky points and adjacent flats in 8-14 foot range
- Weed edges near deep water access
- Transition areas between spawning bays and summer structure
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations around points
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves
- Tubes dragged along rocky transitions
| - Bluegill gathering near emerging weed edges
- Young of year baitfish starting to school
- Crayfish becoming more active on rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
