Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 50-52 | - Spotted bass are staging for the spawn, holding near transition areas between winter and spawning locations
- Fish are becoming more active but still require slow presentations due to cool water temperatures (50-52°F)
- Bass are relating heavily to available structure, particularly docks and any remaining brush or fallen trees
| - Docks and marinas where fish are staging for spawn
- Fallen trees and brush piles in pre-spawn transition areas
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around structure
- Shakey Heads fished methodically near docks
- Small Soft Body Swimbaits retrieved slowly along transition areas
| - Shad (primary forage base per lake profile)
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 51-65 | - Actively staging in pre-spawn areas, following shad schools and becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
- Moving from winter deep-water areas to shallower transition zones, particularly active during wind-generated current
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning areas
- Secondary points in major creek arms
- Brush piles in 15-25 foot depth range near channel swings
| - Umbrella Rigs worked through transitional depths
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points
- Bladed Jigs around shallow structure
| - Shad schools transitioning to shallower water
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 51-62 | - Transitioning from winter depths to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Following daily temperature changes - moving shallow on sunny afternoons and retreating to slightly deeper water during cold fronts
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning coves
- Brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning flats
- Docks with deep water access near spawning areas
| - Bladed Jigs worked slowly around cover
- Lipless Crankbaits across transitional areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along points
| - Shad schools staging in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Moving into shallower spawning areas as water temperatures rise, staging near structure adjacent to future spawning locations
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for upcoming spawn, with increased activity during warming trends
- Showing preference for areas with morning sun exposure, becoming more active as waters warm throughout the day
| - Shallow coves with hard bottom adjacent to deeper water
- Protected areas between docks with morning sun exposure
- Brush piles and laydowns in 4-8 feet of water
| - Live Bait Rigs with small worms or crickets suspended under bobbers
- Inline Spinners worked slowly near cover
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved steadily along dock edges
| - Emerging aquatic insects
- Small crustaceans
- Juvenile shad
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 58-68 | - Spotted bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from winter depths to spawning areas near rocky banks and protected pockets
- Males actively guarding nests in shallow areas while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning phases
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased feeding activity during pre-spawn
| - Rocky banks and points in protected pockets with nearby deep water access
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
- Shallow brush piles and laydowns near spawning flats
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly around rocky banks and spawning areas
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') parallel to spawning banks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover near spawning areas
- Bladed Jigs worked through staging areas
| - Shad schools gathering in spawning pockets
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Striped Bass | 58-68 | - Staging near spawning areas in pre-spawn, moving into shallow tributary areas and coves during peak spawn
- Actively feeding during early morning and evening hours, becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise
- Schooling behavior becomes more individualistic as fish focus on spawning activities
| - Main lake points adjacent to spawning coves
- Shallow tributary areas with good current flow
- Secondary points with access to deeper water
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along point transitions
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to shoreline structure
- Bladed Jigs around shallow cover
| - Pre-spawn shad schools
- Small baitfish in tributary areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass are actively spawning in shallow protected areas, focused on nest building and protection in 2-6 foot depths. Males are highly territorial and aggressive around nesting sites.
- Fish move between staging areas and spawning flats throughout the day, with most active periods during warmer afternoons
| - Protected shallow coves and pockets with firm bottom composition, especially near docks providing additional cover
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays, particularly those with brush piles serving as staging areas
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, offering quick escape routes and staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and dock areas with precise presentations
- Bladed Jigs worked around staging areas and along the edges of spawning flats
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around beds and staging points to trigger defensive strikes
| - Shad schools moving into spawning areas
- Bluegill beginning to move shallow
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively moving into shallow spawning areas (1-4 feet), particularly around protected coves and shoreline areas with firm bottom
- Males aggressively guarding nests and striking at threats, while females stage slightly deeper near spawning colonies
| - Protected coves with gravel or sandy bottom near shoreline
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks with stable bottom composition
- Areas with laydowns and brush piles in 2-6 feet of water
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep
- Inline Spinners worked slowly through spawning areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or crickets
| - Insects and larvae near shallow areas
- Small crustaceans around vegetation and cover
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Spotted Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn spotted bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are moving between shallow and mid-depth zones, following shad schools and utilizing dock edges as ambush points
| - Secondary points and rocky banks adjacent to spawning pockets
- Dock edges with access to deeper water
- Brush piles in 8-15 feet of water near channel swings
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to dock lines and points
- Shakey Heads worked slowly around brush piles and rocky transitions
- Spinnerbaits retrieved steadily along dock edges and through shad schools
| - Shad schools moving into post-spawn staging areas
- Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow pockets
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to recover energy, following baitfish schools and utilizing wind-driven currents on points for ambush opportunities
- Fish are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper main lake structures, showing aggressive feeding behavior during favorable conditions
| - Main lake points with wind-generated current, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Secondary points near spawning bays where fish stage during post-spawn transition
- Deep water docks serving as staging areas between shallow and deep water movements
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') with varied retrieve and sporadic twitches
- Bladed Jigs worked through the upper-middle water column
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) mimicking shad schools
| - Shad schools beginning their post-winter movements
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations, using brush piles and docks as stop-over points
- Fish are actively feeding to recover energy from spawn, showing preference for reaction baits around ambush points
| - Brush piles near bridge structures or points
- Dock areas with adjacent brush or cover
- Secondary points with deep water access
| - Bladed Jigs worked around brush and dock edges
- Spinnerbaits parallel to transitional structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for imitating shad
| - Shad schools around brush piles and points
- Bluegill beginning to spawn in protected pockets
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting insects and small crustaceans around shallow to mid-depth cover
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper resting zones near structure
| - Brush piles and laydowns in 4-8 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats
- Dock edges with shade, especially those near deeper water access
- Secondary points with natural structure leading to deeper water
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near cover
- Inline Spinners worked slowly around structure edges
- Crappie Dock Shooting with small soft plastics
| - Insects, particularly mayflies and small beetles
- Small crustaceans and larvae
- Tiny shad fry beginning to emerge
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|