| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to warming spawning bays, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along shorelines and staging on the first break near potential spawning flats, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation, especially near hard bottom areas
- Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays
- First deep break adjacent to spawning flats (given 9.48' average depth, this means 6-8 foot transitions)
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along emerging vegetation edges
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through sparse vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging areas
| - Bluegills beginning to move shallow
- Small baitfish relating to warming shoreline areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-68 | - Bass moving shallow (2-6 feet) seeking warmer water and staging near spawning areas
- Males preparing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper on nearby structure
- Feeding actively pre-spawn, then becoming more defensive during actual spawning
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom near emerging vegetation
- Shallow areas adjacent to dollar pad roots
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Areas where matted grass meets hard bottom
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around emerging vegetation and pad stems
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over potential spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits along edges of vegetation and between dollar pads
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing spawning bass
| - Spawning Bluegill in shallow areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are relating heavily to emerging vegetation edges and shallow cover, making frequent feeding moves during prime periods
| - Edges of dollar pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water
- Emerging weed edges in 4-7 foot depth range
- Protected pockets with matted grass near spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked methodically through vegetation edges
- Swim Jigs parallel to weed edges and through sparse vegetation
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along transitions between vegetation types
| - Bluegill gathering in spawning areas and around vegetation
- Small baitfish relating to emerging weed growth
- Juvenile crawfish active in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
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