| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Bass are transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallow staging areas, actively seeking warmer water temperatures in preparation for spawning
- Feeding activity increases as water temperatures rise, with fish becoming more aggressive during afternoon warming periods
| - Northern protected bays and coves that warm first, especially those with dark bottoms
- Transition areas near deeper water with emerging vegetation
- Shallow wood cover and laydowns on sun-exposed banks
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs along transition areas and vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible cover and laydowns
| - Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
- Baitfish schools relating to emerging vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappie are transitioning from deeper winter areas to warmer, shallower waters near spawning sites, staging in 6-12 feet near emerging vegetation and structure
- Fish become increasingly active during warming trends, with peak activity during afternoon hours when water temperatures rise
| - Shallow coves with emerging vegetation, especially on the north side of the lake where water warms faster
- Docks adjacent to deeper water, providing staging areas and cover
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with submerged vegetation
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
| - Small minnows congregating in warming shallows
- Emerging aquatic insects near vegetation
- Young-of-year baitfish schools
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Transitioning from winter depths to shallow pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Most active during warmer parts of the day, particularly around midday when water temperatures peak
- Moving in small groups of 3-5 fish, targeting crawfish and baitfish schools in the 8-13 foot range
| - Rocky points and transition areas adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Hard-bottom areas near deep-water access in 8-13 foot range
- Grass edges with hard bottom transitions, especially those near deeper water
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom transitions and rocky areas
- Blade Baits worked through suspended fish schools
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for selective fish
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky structure
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Suspended baitfish schools in 8-13 foot range
- Small perch near grass edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) with females staging on adjacent deeper structure
- Males actively guarding nests during daylight hours, particularly aggressive during low light periods due to stained water conditions
- Fish utilizing irregular shoreline features and protected bays for spawning locations
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation
- Areas near docks providing shade and protection
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to spawning areas for staging fish
- Swim Jigs through sparse vegetation and around dock areas
| - Crawfish emerging in shallow areas
- Small bluegill and perch in spawning areas
- Baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappie are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near shoreline cover, particularly around docks and submerged vegetation
- Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, staging in pre-spawn areas before moving to nesting sites
- Males will be the first to move shallow and will stay to guard nests, while females move in and out
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 2-8 feet of water
- Dock areas providing overhead cover and stable spawning substrate
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small minnows in shallow areas
- Invertebrates near vegetation
- Small baitfish schools staging near spawning areas
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats, actively searching for optimal spawning locations with hard bottom and protection
- Males becoming increasingly territorial and aggressive, responding well to intrusion-mimicking presentations
- Moving between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning zones based on daily temperature fluctuations
| - Protected rocky or gravel areas in 2-6 foot depth range with nearby deeper water
- Hard-bottom areas adjacent to grass edges in protected bays
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with mixed rock and vegetation
| - Tubes worked slowly along hard bottom transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged through potential spawning areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas
- Young of year panfish in shallow warming bays
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn bass are moving in small groups of 3-5 fish, actively feeding around vegetation edges and showing distinct light-dependent behavior patterns
- Fish are more aggressive during overcast conditions or when wind creates advantageous feeding opportunities along vegetation edges
| - Thick clumps and sharp edges of submerged vegetation in 0-6 foot depth range
- Wind-blown points and vegetation edges where baitfish are concentrated
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with 1/2 oz weight for precise presentations to vegetation
- Spinnerbaits along vegetation edges, especially in wind or overcast conditions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water between vegetation clumps
| - Crawfish actively moving in and around vegetation
- Small baitfish schools relating to vegetation edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, showing increased feeding activity in low-light conditions
| - Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water, especially near submerged vegetation in 8-12 feet
- Dock areas providing shade and cover, particularly those adjacent to deeper water
- Weed edges and points with access to both shallow and deeper water
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
| - Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school
- Small invertebrates near vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Actively feeding in post-spawn recovery phase, targeting crawfish and baitfish in 8-13 foot range
- Moving in small groups of 3-5 fish, relating to grass edges and hard-bottom transitions
- More active during sunny conditions despite low water clarity, suggesting strong feeding periods during bright days
| - Grass edges adjacent to hard bottom transitions in 8-13 foot range
- Rocky points and structures that hold crawfish populations
- Submerged vegetation edges near deeper water access
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along grass edges and hard bottom transitions
- Drop Shot with focused presentations around rocky structure
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky points
| - Crawfish emerging and active on rocky structure
- Baitfish schools suspended in 8-13 foot range
- Small prey fish relating to weed edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
