| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-76 | - Pre-spawn bass transitioning to spawning behavior at 76°F, actively feeding and staging near shallow vegetation
- Size segregation evident with larger bass (2-3 lbs) holding in thicker cover while smaller bass patrol outer weed edges
| - Emergent vegetation areas (wild rice beds and lily pads) in shallow water
- Outside weed edges at 5-foot depth contour
- Protected shallow bays with developing vegetation
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting thick vegetation
- Bladed Jigs (Chatterbaits) along weed edges
- Ned Rigs worked along outer weed edge
| - Bluegill in shallow vegetation
- Young of year panfish around weed edges
| - Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-78 | - Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, with males creating and guarding nests in shallow protected areas near vegetation and cover
- Fish are transitioning between pre-spawn feeding and spawning behavior, with the 76°F water temperature indicating active spawning is underway
- Males become territorial and aggressive when guarding nests, while females move between deeper staging areas and shallow spawning flats
| - Protected shallow bays with emergent vegetation (rice beds and lily pads)
- Areas where the 5ft weed line intersects with firmer bottom
- Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to spawning bass in vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits for sight fishing and targeting visible beds
- Wacky Rigs for working the edges of vegetation and spawning flats
| - Bluegill gathering in similar shallow spawning areas
- Young of year perch in emerging vegetation
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing the defined weed edges and transitional areas between spawning flats and deeper water
| - Outside weed edges at 5ft depth, particularly where they intersect with any available structure
- Emergent vegetation areas with rice and lily pads in 2-4ft of water
- Any available points or subtle shoreline breaks given the regular shoreline shape
| - Spinnerbaits worked parallel to weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) in and around emergent vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and targeting active fish
| - Bluegill concentrated around vegetation edges
- Young of year baitfish beginning to emerge
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
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