| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass are in pre-spawn transition, moving from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are holding on main lake points and riprap areas, maintaining contact with bottom structure as reported in tournament catches
| - Main lake points in 7-12 foot range, particularly those adjacent to spawning flats
- Riprap banks with good sun exposure
- Creek mouths and transition areas leading to spawning coves
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along bottom contours
- Shakey Heads worked methodically on hard bottom areas
- Football Jigs dragged on main lake points
| - Shad schools congregating near points and transition areas
- Crawfish becoming active on rocky structures and riprap
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are following predictable migration routes along points and channel edges, becoming increasingly aggressive as water temperatures rise
| - Main lake points with access to deep water and rocky substrate
- Secondary points in major coves with boulder or rip-rap cover
- Deep water channel edges adjacent to potential spawning flats
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses over points
- Tubes dragged on rocky bottom structure
| - Shad schools suspending near points
- Bottom-oriented crawfish becoming more active
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn striped bass are actively pursuing shad schools in transition areas, making aggressive feeding movements as they prepare for spawning
- Fish are moving from winter deep-water areas to staging locations near spawning tributaries and major points
- Stripers are schooling more heavily during this period, often relating to current breaks and structure
| - Main lake points adjacent to deeper water, especially those with current breaks
- Rock piles and rip rap areas in 15-25 foot depth range
- Tributary mouths and associated ledges where pre-spawn staging occurs
| - Umbrella Rigs worked through bait schools and along depth transitions
- Large Hair Jigs (Preacher) worked vertically through suspended fish
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near structure
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn staging areas
- Smaller baitfish utilizing current breaks and structure edges
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are in spawn/pre-spawn mode, actively moving between staging areas and shallow spawning flats, particularly around rocky areas
- Fish showing preference for ambush points near spawning areas, utilizing boulder and rock structures as transition zones
| - Small rocky pockets with nearby deeper water access
- Protected shoreline areas with boulders and submerged vegetation
- Main lake points with mixed rock and vegetation structure
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly around rocky structure
- Finesse Jigs pitched to boulder pockets
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting spawning areas
| - Shad schools in transitional areas
- Crawfish emerging from rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are in spawning mode, establishing nests on hard bottom areas near shoreline structure, particularly around points
- Males are actively guarding nests while females move between spawning areas and nearby deeper water staging areas
| - Rocky main lake points with gradual slopes, especially those near deeper water access
- Boulder-strewn shorelines and rock piles in 2-8 feet of water
- Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel in protected coves
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked parallel to points and rocky shorelines
- Tubes dragged slowly across potential spawning flats
- Ned Rigs worked carefully around visible beds and rocky areas
| - Bluegill concentrating around spawning areas and shallow structure
- Smaller baitfish relating to points and rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Striped Bass | 58-68 | - Actively moving into shallower spawning areas, particularly around rock piles and rip rap where water warms faster
- Males will stage in pre-spawn areas while females move between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones
- Aggressive feeding periods before and after spawning, targeting shad in current breaks and along points
| - Rock piles and rip rap in 5-15 foot depth range with good current flow
- Main lake points adjacent to spawning areas
- Current breaks near deeper water access
| - Umbrella Rigs worked along points and current breaks
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) slow-rolled near spawning areas
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to rip rap
| - Shad schools congregating near spawning areas
- Smaller baitfish gathered in current breaks
- Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing submerged vegetation and rock structures as primary holding areas, making frequent feeding movements to nearby points and ledges
| - Main lake points with access to deeper water, especially those with rock or boulder structure
- Submerged vegetation edges adjacent to spawning flats
- Creek mouth transitions with mixed rock and vegetation
| - Spinnerbaits worked along vegetation edges and through boulder fields
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting newly emerging vegetation
- Shakey Heads worked along rocky points and transitions
| - Crawfish are highly active and a primary food source
- Shad schools beginning to form in creek mouths
- Small bluegill becoming more active near vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer locations
- Fish are utilizing current breaks and points as ambush locations, moving between different depth zones throughout the day
| - Main lake points with rock piles and boulders
- Transitional areas between spawning flats and deeper summer haunts
- Current-influenced rocky structures
| - Drop Shot with finesse presentations around rocky structure
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked parallel to transitional areas
- Tubes worked along rocky points and current breaks
| - Shad schools beginning to concentrate near points
- Bluegill in shallow rocky areas
- Crawfish active in rocky habitats
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Striped Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn striped bass are actively feeding to recover energy, following shad schools in transition areas between spawning grounds and summer haunts
- Fish are showing aggressive behavior, utilizing current breaks and rock structures to ambush prey
- Movement patterns suggest morning and evening feeding peaks near points and ledges, with fish suspending in deeper water during mid-day
| - Main lake points with access to deep water, especially those with current breaks
- Rock piles and boulder fields in 15-25 foot depth range
- Ledges adjacent to spawning flats where fish stage during transition
| - Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') with umbrella rigs and deep diving crankbaits along points and ledges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) worked along depth transitions and current breaks
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') when fish are spotted on electronics near structure
| - Shad schools congregating near points and ledges
- Secondary forage fish utilizing rock structure
- Baitfish concentrations in current breaks
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
