| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-58 | - Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn transition, actively feeding but susceptible to cold fronts and water temperature changes
- Fish are moving between staging areas and shallow feeding zones, responding strongly to baitfish and crawfish forage
| - Rocky points adjacent to deeper water - primary staging areas
- Stumps and woody cover in pre-spawn transition zones
- River channel edges where fish can quickly adjust to depth changes
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly along depth transitions
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') with erratic retrieves
- Bladed Jigs for stained water conditions
| - Perch - primary forage based on recent reports
- Crawfish - becoming more active in warming waters
- Small baitfish in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 45-72 | - Fish are in pre-spawn mode, actively feeding while moving from winter locations to spawning areas. Water temps ranging from mid-40s to low 70s show a progressive warming trend triggering increased activity.
- Fish are utilizing points and islands as transition areas, with increased feeding activity noted when temperatures reach 50s-60s.
| - Points and islands serving as staging areas between deep winter haunts and spawning flats
- Docks and laydowns in protected areas providing cover during temperature transitions
- Stump flats offering structure and ambush points during pre-spawn feeding
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses, especially effective in 52-54 degree range
- Shakey Heads worked slowly when temperatures spike into upper 60s
- Swim Jigs crawled slowly across stump flats in cooler conditions
- Spinnerbaits around points and islands during active feeding periods
| - Perch - primary forage based on multiple fishing reports and successful bait patterns
- Bluegill - becoming more active as waters warm, particularly around docks
- Minnows - present around points and islands
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish are actively spawning with water temperatures in the 60s, with some already on beds (62-68°F reported)
- Pre-spawn to spawn transition period with fish moving between staging areas and bedding sites
- Aggressive defensive behavior around beds, while non-bedding fish actively feeding on crawfish
| - Rocky points near potential spawning flats, as confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Protected shallow bays with firm bottom for spawning
- Transition areas between deep water and spawning flats
| - Finesse Jigs - proven effective in recent reports, especially with TRD Ned bait
- Hover strolling with soft plastics, specifically mentioned as productive
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) - reported as consistently producing
| - Crawfish - primary forage mentioned in recent reports
- Small baitfish in spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-65 | - Largemouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) near hard bottom and cover
- Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby drop-offs
- Increased aggression and territorial behavior around spawning sites
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom near lily pad fields
- Shallow areas adjacent to docks with gravel or sandy bottom
- Secondary points leading into spawning pockets
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to bedding fish
- Soft Jerkbaits for pre-spawn staging fish
- Shakey Heads for working spawning flats
| - Bluegill moving shallow to spawn
- Small perch in spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are highly aggressive and feeding actively in shallow water, often hunting in groups as evidenced by multiple fish being caught simultaneously
- Fish are primarily oriented to the surface and upper water column, showing increased willingness to chase fast-moving prey
| - Rocky points with access to deeper water, particularly those with active bluegill populations
- Shallow flats adjacent to points where bluegill are spawning
- Secondary points with mixed rock and wood cover
| - Hard Topwater (Prop) - aggressive, splashing presentations triggering reaction strikes
- Hard Topwater (Walking) - for covering water between prime areas
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) - mimicking bluegill when fish won't commit to topwater
| - Bluegill - primary forage based on recent reports and seasonal patterns
- Young of year baitfish - becoming more active in warming waters
- Crawfish - active in rocky areas during warmer days
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 68-75 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively guarding fry in shallow areas, particularly around cover like docks and laydowns
- Fish are becoming more aggressive feeders, willing to strike topwater baits and showing territorial behavior
| - Docks and pontoon boats with adjacent spawning flats
- Matted grass areas in shallow water
- Laydowns and woody cover near spawning areas
| - Frogs/Toads worked over matted grass
- Wacky Rigs around docks and laydowns
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover
| - Bluegill in shallow areas around docks
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
