| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass are actively seeking spawning areas in shallow flats and beginning their spawning ritual, exhibiting aggressive territorial behavior
- Fish are moving from deeper pre-spawn staging areas to shallow spawning flats, particularly active during warmer parts of the day
| - Shallow shoreline flats with submerged vegetation, particularly in protected areas where beds are present
- Secondary points and protected bays adjacent to spawning flats
- Areas with emerging vegetation in 3-8 foot depth range
| - Hard Topwater (Walking) worked over spawning flats, especially during warmer periods
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked through submerged vegetation
- Spinnerbaits parallel to shoreline flats during cloudy conditions
| - Minnows in shallow water near spawning areas
- Juvenile panfish emerging in vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Metallic Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Actively staging in pre-spawn areas, moving from winter deep water to warmer shallows
- Feeding more aggressively as water temperatures rise, especially during afternoon hours
- Congregating in schools near emerging vegetation and protected shallow flats
| - Protected shallow flats with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas near ledges between deep and shallow water
- Sheltered coves with darker bottom composition for warmth
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended near emerging vegetation
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly along depth transitions
- Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae emerging with warming water
- Young-of-year baitfish and minnows
- Small crustaceans active in vegetation
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected bays with vegetation, actively defending nesting sites
- Males are aggressively patrolling and defending nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning activities
| - Protected shallow bays with submerged vegetation in 2-4 feet of water
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays serving as staging areas
- Hard bottom areas near vegetation in 1-6 feet of water
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Hard Topwater (Popping) for aggressive bed-guarding fish
- Swim Jigs worked through shallow vegetation
| - Bluegill and small panfish in spawning areas
- Minnows relating to emerging vegetation
- Alewife schools in staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Bluegills moving into shallow protected areas (2-6 feet) to establish spawning beds and defend territory
- Males becoming increasingly aggressive and territorial around nesting sites, while females stage in slightly deeper adjacent areas
| - Protected shallow flats with firm bottom composition, especially in areas with emerging vegetation
- Secondary points and coves near spawning flats where females stage
- Shallow bays with gradual slopes and submerged vegetation
| - Bobbers with small jigs suspended 2-4 feet deep near spawning beds
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') with light tackle around bedding areas
- Finesse Hair Jigs worked slowly through staging areas
| - Small insects and larvae around emerging vegetation
- Small minnows in shallow flats
- Aquatic invertebrates in weed beds
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper structure, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish establishing summer patterns, moving between shallow and mid-depth areas depending on time of day and weather conditions
| - Secondary points and ledges adjacent to spawning bays
- Submerged weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked along depth transitions
- Swim Jigs worked through emerging vegetation
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
| - Minnows schooling along weed edges and points
- Alewife concentrating near depth changes
- Young of year panfish emerging in vegetation
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-72 | - Bluegills transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding in and around vegetation
- Fish beginning to establish deeper holding patterns but still making frequent trips to shallow feeding zones
- Most active during morning and evening hours, seeking shade during bright midday periods
| - Weed edges and pockets in 8-12 foot depth range
- Secondary points near spawning bays
- Submerged vegetation in 6-10 foot depth range
| - Bobbers with light jigs suspended at various depths
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly through vegetation
- Live Bait Rigs with small leeches or worms
| - Small aquatic insects and larvae
- Young-of-year baitfish
- Small crustaceans in vegetation
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
