| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Bass are beginning to move from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are relating heavily to transitional structure between deep winter areas and shallow spawning zones, with increased feeding activity during warming trends
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats
- Docks with deep water access near potential spawning areas
- Grass lines and water willow edges in 4-8 foot depths
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging grass
- Bladed Jigs near dock areas and along grass edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in transitional areas
| - Shad schools congregating in pre-spawn areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 58-68 | - Bluegill are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively, especially during mid-day when water temperatures peak
- Concentrating around emerging vegetation and dock structures that provide both cover and feeding opportunities
| - Shallow flats adjacent to deeper wintering areas, especially those with emerging vegetation
- Docks in 4-8 feet of water, particularly those near deeper water access
- Protected coves with water willows and grass lines
| - Live Bait Rigs with small jigs under bobbers, worked slowly around structure
- Micro Crankbaits worked parallel to emerging vegetation lines
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around dock posts and brush
| - Aquatic insects emerging with warming water
- Small zooplankton concentrations near vegetation
- Young-of-year shad beginning to appear in shallows
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Male bass are creating and guarding nests in shallow areas, particularly near cover like docks and water willows
- Females staging in slightly deeper water, moving between pre-spawn and spawning areas
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nesting sites, with increased reaction strikes
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom near vegetation
- Dock areas in 2-4 feet of water, especially those near deeper water access
- Grass lines and water willow edges in protected areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly near staging areas
- Shakey Heads for finesse presentation to spooky fish
| - Shad schools moving into spawning areas
- Bluegill becoming more active in the shallows
- Crawfish emerging in warming waters
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Actively engaging in spawning activities, with males guarding nests in shallow protected areas near structure
- Feeding opportunistically between spawning activities, primarily on insects and zooplankton in the upper water column
| - Protected shallow areas near docks with firm bottom for spawning
- Grass line edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Shallow flats adjacent to emergent water willows
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-3 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and split shots
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly parallel to structure
| - Aquatic insects around vegetation
- Zooplankton in the upper water column
- Small shad fry
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-76 | - Post-spawn bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, still relating heavily to shallow cover but beginning to group up
- Fish showing mixed behavior - some actively feeding around shad, others holding tight to water willows and vegetation
| - Water willow edges and grass lines in 2-6 feet of water
- Points with access to deeper water, especially those near spawning flats
- Shallow flats with drop-off access, particularly those holding bait
| - Neko Rigs worked slowly around vegetation
- Swim Jigs paralleling grass lines and points
- Finesse Jigs pitched to visible cover
| - Shad schools beginning to form in post-spawn areas
- Bluegill moving shallow for their spawn
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 72-84 | - Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily targeting insects and zooplankton around vegetation and dock edges
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper resting zones throughout the day
| - Dock edges and corners with adjacent vegetation in 3-6 feet of water
- Grass lines and water willow edges, especially where they intersect with harder structure
- Shallow flats near deeper water, particularly during morning and evening feeding periods
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep around dock edges and vegetation
- Crappie Dock Shooting for bluegill holding tight under dock structures
- Inline Spinners worked slowly through vegetation edges for actively feeding fish
| - Aquatic insects and larvae around vegetation
- Zooplankton concentrated in the upper water column
- Small crustaceans near dock pilings and vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
