| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving between deeper winter haunts and shallower pre-spawn staging areas as water temperatures fluctuate in the low 50s
| - Rocky points and boulder fields adjacent to spawning flats
- Brush piles in 5-15 foot depth range near shoreline transitions
- Secondary points with mixed rock and vegetation
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked through rock and brush
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in brush piles and shallow cover
- Bladed Jigs along transition areas
| - Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming rocks
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 63-73 | - Female bass moving shallow into 6-foot zones around trees and grass patches for spawning, while males prepare and guard nests
- Fish actively feeding during pre-spawn and spawn periods, targeting both bluegill and crawfish in shallow cover
| - Shallow trees and isolated grass patches in 6 feet of water
- Shallow flats near wood structure
- Protected shallow areas with boulders and submerged vegetation
| - Bladed Jigs worked over shallow flats and near wood
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') with fast steady retrieve
- Soft Jerkbaits (flukes) with slight twitches and long pauses
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming waters
- Shad present in secondary forage areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-82 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy with most fish found in 4-15 feet of water
- Fish are showing mixed behavior - some aggressive and chasing bait in shallows while others moving deeper as temperatures rise
- Most active during morning and evening, becoming more depth-selective during bright midday periods
| - Brush piles and trees in 7-10 feet of water, especially near spawning flats
- Points and ledges with access to deeper water
- Submerged vegetation and grass patches in 4-8 feet
- Boulders and hard cover near thermal influences like the power plant discharge
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked with pauses and slow retrieves
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around brush and vegetation
- Hard Jerkbaits with longer pauses between twitches
- Hard Topwater (Prop) during morning and evening periods
| - Shad schools beginning to form in post-spawn areas
- Crawfish active around rocky areas and brush
- Bluegill spawning in shallow protected areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
