| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving from winter deep-water areas to shallower transitional areas, particularly on sunny days
- Becoming more aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased feeding activity during warming trends
| - Secondary points leading into spawning bays with emerging vegetation
- Shallow protected coves with warming water, especially those with laydowns or docks
- Transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning flats
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked over emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs around cover and vegetation edges
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly in transitional areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth will stage near spawning areas, transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallow flats
- Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, but movements are deliberate and influenced by water temperature
- With moderate water clarity (4.3m Secchi), fish are actively sight-feeding during daylight hours
| - Rock-to-sand transition areas in 8-15 foot depth range
- Protected coves with boulder fields, especially on north-facing shorelines
- Clean spots adjacent to emerging weed growth in 4-8 foot depths
| - Tubes worked slowly along rock transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged through staging areas
- Blade Baits for actively feeding fish in slightly deeper water
| - Crayfish emerging from winter habitat
- Small bluegills in emerging vegetation
- Young-of-year perch in sandy transitions
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Pre-spawn fish actively moving into shallow bays and coves, seeking warmer water and spawning locations
- Males building and guarding nests in protected areas near shore, while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas
- Feeding activity increases as fish prepare for spawning, with aggressive territorial behavior around nest sites
| - Protected shallow bays and coves with firm bottom composition
- Areas adjacent to emerging weed growth in 2-6 foot depths
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and emerging vegetation
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') along spawning flat approaches
- Wacky Rigs for sight fishing and slow presentations to bedding fish
| - Bluegill concentrating in shallow spawning areas
- Small baitfish moving shallow with warming water
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-8 feet) near rocky or firm-bottom areas, especially where scattered grass provides cover
- Males are actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure (8-15 feet) before and after spawning
- Fish are increasingly aggressive in defending territory and responding to sight-based threats
| - Hard-bottom areas with scattered grass in 2-8 foot depth range, especially near points and coves
- Rocky areas with boulders that provide warming effect and nest protection
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper water where females stage
| - Tubes worked slowly around spawning areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations for pressured fish
- Soft Jerkbaits for targeting staging females on deeper structure
| - Bluegills moving into similar spawning areas
- Small crayfish becoming more active in warming water
- Various minnow species in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, primarily targeting bluegill and other panfish in shallow to mid-depth areas
- Fish are transitioning between spawning areas and early summer patterns, utilizing weed edges and nearby deeper structure as rest and ambush points
| - Weed edges adjacent to spawning flats in 5-12 feet of water
- Secondary points with mixed vegetation and hard structure
- Dock areas with nearby deep water access
| - Soft Jerkbaits - worked with erratic action to mimic injured baitfish
- Texas Rigs (Worming) - worked slowly through vegetation edges
- Spinnerbaits - particularly effective during overcast conditions or near cover
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow weed areas
- Young of the year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Establishing feeding zones near shallow rock-weed transitions, particularly during morning and evening periods
- Moving between shallow and moderate depths (4-15 feet) based on light conditions and temperature changes
| - Rocky points adjacent to spawning bays
- Clean spots within scattered grass beds in 4-10 foot range
- Transition areas between rocks and submerged vegetation
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock-weed transitions
- Soft Jerkbaits with twitching retrieve near grass edges
- Drop Shot with subtle movements in deeper spots during midday
| - Bluegills concentrating near weed edges
- Crayfish emerging in rocky areas
- Small baitfish schooling in transition areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
