| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Crappies are transitioning from winter areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to move into shallower water (2-6 feet) near spawning areas, particularly around submerged vegetation
- Feeding activity increases during this period as fish prepare for spawning, with most active periods during warmer afternoon hours
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 3-6 feet of water
- Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas between deeper winter holes and spawning flats
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation
- Bobbers with small jigs suspended at 2-4 feet depth
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through vegetation edges
| - Small minnows gathering in warming shallows
- Early season aquatic insects
- Young-of-year panfish
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-62 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter patterns to spawning areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are staging in areas adjacent to potential spawning flats, moving shallower as water temperatures rise
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish being most active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
| - Shallow vegetation edges in 2-4 feet of water that receive afternoon sun
- Protected areas near docks that offer both cover and warmer water
- Transitions between vegetation types where emerging growth meets deeper vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through emerging vegetation
- Lipless Crankbaits parallel to vegetation edges
- Shakey Heads near dock posts and vegetation edges
| - Bluegill congregating in warming shallows
- Green sunfish relating to dock areas
- Small crappie schools moving through vegetation edges
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Bluegill are transitioning from deeper winter areas to shallow warming bays, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively but still maintaining a relatively finesse pattern, especially during cold fronts
| - Shallow, protected areas with emerging vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Transition areas between shoreline and slightly deeper water near docks
- Areas where submerged vegetation is beginning to grow, especially in areas receiving afternoon sun
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through warming areas
- Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and split shots for finesse presentation
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Zooplankton concentrations in warming shallows
- Tiny crustaceans near developing vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies moving into shallow spawning areas (1-3 feet) near vegetation and woody cover as water temperatures rise
- Males establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, making multiple trips to spawning areas
- Aggressive feeding periods during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawn
| - Shallow vegetated areas with firm bottom, particularly in protected areas
- Submerged vegetation edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Any available woody cover in spawning depth ranges
| - Bobbers with light jigs worked slowly around vegetation
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with small plastics
- Live Bait Rigs near spawning areas
| - Small minnows congregating in spawning areas
- Early season aquatic insects
- Small bluegill fry
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass are transitioning into spawning areas, moving from deeper winter areas to shallow flats with vegetation for nest building
- Males actively guarding nests in protected areas while females stage nearby, making multiple trips between deeper staging areas and spawning flats
| - Protected shallow flats with emerging vegetation in 1-3 feet of water
- Edges of submerged vegetation adjacent to spawning flats
- Areas near docks that provide both cover and spawning habitat
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - ideal for precise presentations around vegetation and spawning areas
- Wacky Rigs - effective for both spawning bass and those staging nearby
- Soft Jerkbaits - excellent for targeting pre-spawn females moving between staging and spawning areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Green Sunfish in vegetation edges
- Small juvenile panfish from previous year
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegill are actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around vegetation and protected shoreline areas, with males establishing and guarding nests
- Fish are becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial as spawning activity intensifies, making them more likely to strike at small baits that enter their nesting areas
| - Shallow, protected areas with firm bottom near submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Areas adjacent to docks and shoreline structure where spawning colonies can establish
- Transition zones between sparse and dense vegetation where bluegill stage before spawning
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep, worked slowly through spawning areas
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with micro jigs near visible beds
- Live Bait Rigs with small worms or insects for finicky fish
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging in spring
- Zooplankton concentrations in warming shallows
- Small crustaceans active in vegetation
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish suspending near vegetation edges and utilizing shallow cover during feeding periods
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 3-5 feet of water
- Shallow dock areas providing shade and cover
- Transition areas between spawning flats and slightly deeper water
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around vegetation
- Bobbers with small jigs suspended at 2-4 feet depth
- Crappie Dock Shooting when fish relate to dock structure
| - Small insects and emerging larvae
- Young-of-year baitfish
- Small bluegill fry
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy after spawn
- Fish relating heavily to newly emerging vegetation edges and shallow cover, most active during morning and evening hours
| - Emerging weed edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Shallow docks providing shade and ambush points
- Transition areas between sparse and thick vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through vegetation
- Swim Jigs parallel to weed edges
- Wacky Rigs for finesse presentation in sparse cover
| - Bluegill beginning their spawn
- Young of year panfish
- Green sunfish in vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegill are actively feeding to recover energy, primarily focusing on insects and zooplankton in and around vegetation
- Fish are spreading out from spawning areas but remaining relatively shallow, becoming more structure-oriented
| - Submerged vegetation edges in 2-4 feet of water
- Docks and other man-made structures providing shade
- Transition areas between vegetation and open water
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended 1-3 feet deep
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly through vegetation
- Micro Crankbaits retrieved steadily along vegetation edges
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Zooplankton
- Small crustaceans
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
|
