| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 42-60 | - Largemouth bass are actively transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends (42°F to 60°F) and moving towards potential spawning flats
- Fish are showing increased feeding activity around bluegill concentrations, particularly near dock areas and submerged vegetation
- Bass are utilizing transitions between deep and shallow water, actively patrolling ledges and drops near spawning flats
| - Docks and seawalls with access to deeper water, especially those adjacent to spawning flats
- Submerged vegetation in 4-6 foot depth range
- Ledges and drops adjacent to shallow spawning areas
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) slow rolled through the middle water column
- Ned Rigs worked slowly around structure
- Bladed Jigs around docks and in shallow bays during warming trends
- Structure Jigs skipped under docks
| - Bluegill - primary forage based on multiple reports
- Young of year baitfish in shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 42-52 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging locations, primarily following rock structure that holds heat
- Fish are becoming more active but still maintaining relatively slow metabolism at 44°F, feeding opportunistically on bluegill near structure transitions
| - Rip rap banks, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Deep edges of flats where they transition to deeper water
- Shallow flats with good sun exposure, particularly during afternoon warming periods
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along transitions
- Ned Rigs worked methodically on flat areas
- Blade Baits worked slowly through deeper edges
| - Bluegill concentrated near rocky structure and vegetation edges
- Small baitfish utilizing the same warming areas as the bass
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 45-60 | - Pre-spawn to spawning transition phase with bass moving from staging areas to spawning flats, highly active around docks and shallow vertical walls
- Aggressive feeding periods during warm fronts, with fish actively patrolling shallow areas searching for bluegill
| - Docks with adjacent vertical walls, especially those near spawning flats
- Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Bladed Jigs worked around dock posts and walls
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock shade lines
- Swim Jigs mimicking bluegill around shallow cover
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow areas
- Small baitfish relating to dock areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 44-62 | - Staging on pre-spawn areas near shallow flats with rock and gravel, making short feeding movements during warmer parts of the day
- Males actively building and guarding nests in protected areas with firm bottom composition, particularly near points and in coves
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased response to intrusion
| - Rock and rip rap areas in 3-8 feet of water that warm quickly
- Protected coves with gravel bottom near deeper water access
- Secondary points with mixed rock and vegetation in 5-12 feet
| - Tubes worked slowly along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations around staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits with long pauses near potential nest sites
| - Bluegill concentrating in warming shallows
- Small crayfish emerging from winter holding areas
- Young of year baitfish in protected areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper structure
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, relating heavily to submerged vegetation in 4-6ft and 10-15ft ranges
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 4-6 foot depth range
- Dock edges with access to deeper water
- Transition zones between shallow flats and deeper water with vegetation
| - Swim Jigs worked through vegetation and along weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) mimicking bluegill
| - Bluegill, especially smaller specimens around docks and vegetation
- Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Moving from spawning areas to early summer feeding locations, actively targeting bluegill and other baitfish near submerged vegetation and rock structure
- Establishing post-spawn recovery patterns with increased feeding activity, particularly during wind-generated current periods
| - Grass edges in 10-15 feet of water adjacent to spawning flats
- Rock structure and rip rap transitioning to deeper water
- Points and breaks with submerged vegetation near main lake basins
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to grass edges
- Drop Shot with finesse presentations along rock transitions
- Tubes worked through rocky areas and points
- Ned Rigs worked slowly on flat areas adjacent to structure
| - Bluegill concentrating around vegetation
- Young of year baitfish beginning to school
- Crayfish active in rocky areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
