| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - In pre-spawn, largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to warming shallow waters, staging near spawning areas but not yet on beds
- Fish are actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warmer afternoons
| - Secondary points and channel swings leading into spawning coves
- Shallow docks in 5-10 feet, especially those near deeper water access
- Cabbage weed edges where new growth is starting
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near structure
- Shakey Heads worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Bladed Jigs around emerging vegetation
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near shoreline structure, particularly around protected coves and points
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure (8-12 feet)
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around spawning sites, especially near cabbage patches and dock areas
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom near deeper water access
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks in 2-6 feet of water
- Cabbage weed patches in 5-10 feet providing spawning habitat
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to visible beds and cover
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas and dock posts
- Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn females on staging areas
| - Bluegill concentrating in similar spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
- Small baitfish moving into warmer shoreline areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy near docks and vegetation
- Fish are establishing predictable daily movements between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper recovery zones
| - Docks adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with 5-10 feet of water
- Cabbage weed patches in 5-10 foot depth range
- Points dropping into 18 feet of water, particularly those near spawning bays
| - Finesse Jigs worked slowly around dock posts and edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around dock structures
- Shakey Heads worked along deeper edges and points
| - Bluegill concentrated around docks and vegetation
- Crawfish active in warming shallows near rocky areas
| - Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
