Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving into shallower water as temperatures rise, particularly in creek arms and protected bays
| - Creek arms and tributary areas, particularly Barnett's Creek where recent success has been documented
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water in 2-6 foot range
- Protected areas with emerging vegetation or standing timber that warm quickly
| - Soft Jerkbaits - recent success with Zoom Super Fluke Jr. suggests this is a prime technique
- Finesse Jigs - proven effective in recent reports and ideal for pre-spawn conditions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits - success reported with 2-6 ft diving range
| - Yellow Perch - confirmed as active forage based on recent catches
- Bluegill - part of the diverse forage base noted in lake profile
- Small Baitfish - typical pre-spawn forage in moderate-sized reservoirs
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 52-62 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near creek channels and points, gradually moving shallower as water warms
- Becoming increasingly active and aggressive in feeding as they prepare for spawn
- Congregating in transition areas between deeper winter haunts and eventual spawning flats
| - Creek channel bends and intersections near spawning flats
- Submerged timber along Barnett's Creek channel edges
- Secondary points leading into potential spawning bays
- Marina dock areas with deeper water access
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Hover/Mid-Strolling
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - White and Yellow Perch
- Small Baitfish
- Aquatic Insects
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Pink Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Bluegill and panfish transitioning from deeper winter areas to warmer shallows, staging near spawning areas but not yet on beds
- Actively feeding during warming trends, particularly during mid-morning to afternoon when water temperatures peak
| - Protected creek arms and coves with standing timber in 4-8 feet of water
- Marina dock areas with deeper water access
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially near Barnett's Creek
| - Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended 2-4 feet under a bobber
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly around timber and dock structures
- Inline Spinners retrieved steadily in shallow feeding areas
| - Small insects and emerging larvae
- Tiny minnows and fry
- Small crustaceans
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Drum | 52-65 | - Drum are transitioning from deeper winter haunts to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends and becoming more active
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively as water temperatures rise, targeting perch and other baitfish near structure
| - Creek channel edges where deep water meets shallow flats, particularly in Barnett's Creek
- Standing timber areas adjacent to deeper water
- Marina and dock structures that provide current breaks and concentrate baitfish
| - Blade Baits worked with a yo-yo retrieve along channel edges
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near standing timber
- Spinnerbaits slow-rolled through transition areas
| - Yellow Perch congregating in pre-spawn areas
- White Perch schooling near structure
- Small baitfish gathering around marina areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Actively seeking spawning areas in shallow water, particularly around standing timber and creek arms
- Males guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around nesting sites
| - Protected shallow bays in Barnett's Creek area with standing timber
- 2-6 foot flats with submergent vegetation
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and nesting areas
- Wacky Rigs for pressured fish and clear water situations
- Spinnerbaits for covering water and targeting pre-spawn fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Yellow perch in slightly deeper adjacent areas
- Small baitfish moving into warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie moving shallow (2-8 feet) to spawn, staging near spawning areas and becoming increasingly active
- Males establishing and guarding nests in protected areas while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn
| - Protected shallow bays and coves near Barnett's Creek with submerged timber
- Marina dock areas with stable depth and protection from wind
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves with scattered brush
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
| - Small yellow perch fry
- White perch fry
- Various small insects and larvae
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively spawning in shallow protected areas, particularly around docks and standing timber
- Males guarding nests in 2-6 foot depths, becoming aggressive toward any potential threats
- Females moving between spawning areas and slightly deeper staging areas
| - Protected shallow bays near Barnett's Creek with submerged wood
- Marina dock areas in 2-6 foot depths
- Standing timber areas adjacent to spawning flats
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked slowly around nesting areas
- Inline Spinners retrieved slowly near cover
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to spawning areas
| - Small insects and larvae
- Tiny minnows
- Zooplankton
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Drum | 58-68 | - Moving from deeper wintering areas to shallow creek arms and tributaries for spawning
- Males actively drumming to attract females, becoming more aggressive and territorial
- Congregating near current areas and hard bottom areas for spawning
| - Hard bottom areas in Barnett's Creek with moderate current
- Shallow flats near standing timber in 4-12 feet of water
- Marina and dock areas with good current flow
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom in spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with crawfish or minnows near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around timber and creek channels
| - Yellow Perch
- White Perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-75 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are relating to shallow cover and gradually moving toward main lake points and deeper structure
| - Shallow areas near standing timber in 2-6 ft range with access to deeper water
- Creek arms with submerged vegetation and cover
- Main lake points with transition areas to deeper water
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shallow cover and timber
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves around cover
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly in timber and vegetated areas
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Yellow perch in transition areas near timber
- Small baitfish relating to creek arms and points
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 65-75 | - Post-spawn crappie are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are generally schooling and becoming more structure-oriented, particularly around submerged timber and creek channels
| - Creek channel edges near Barnett's Creek, especially where timber or brush is present
- Marina dock areas with 8-15 feet of water depth
- Submerged timber along old creek channels
| - Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling)
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
| - White and yellow perch fry
- Small baitfish schools
- Aquatic insects
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bluegill and panfish are actively feeding in shallow to moderate depths (2-6 ft), recovering energy and establishing summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing both shallow cover near docks and timber, while making feeding movements to slightly deeper adjacent areas
| - Protected dock areas with adjacent deeper water, especially near Barnett's Creek
- Standing timber in 4-6 foot depth range
- Marina areas with structure and shade
| - Bobbers with small jigs worked around dock posts and timber
- Inline Spinners cast parallel to structure in 2-4 foot depths
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved slowly near cover
| - Small insects and emerging larvae
- Tiny minnows and fry
- Small crustaceans
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Drum | 58-72 | - Moving from winter deep water areas to shallower feeding zones, particularly around creek arms and submerged timber
- Actively feeding during post-spawn recovery, targeting schools of yellow and white perch
- Most active during early morning and late evening, utilizing current breaks and structure edges
| - Creek arm intersections with main lake, focusing on 8-15 foot depth ranges
- Submerged timber areas adjacent to deeper water
- Marina and dock areas where baitfish concentrate
| - Blade Baits worked with a moderate lift-drop retrieve along structure edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) swum near submerged timber
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around baitfish schools
| - Yellow Perch congregating in creek arms
- White Perch schooling near structure
- Small baitfish relating to marina areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
|