| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Staging near spawning areas but still actively feeding, moving between winter deep water and pre-spawn transition areas
- Following daily temperature changes, moving shallower during warm afternoons and deeper during cold fronts
| - Rock piles and gravel areas adjacent to deeper wintering areas in 10-15 FOW
- Main lake points with gradual slopes leading to spawning bays
- Drop-offs on the east side transitioning from 10 to 15 feet
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses over rocky structure
- Tubes dragged slowly along bottom near rock piles
- Ned Rigs worked methodically through transition areas
| - Shad and small baitfish transitioning from deep to shallow water
- Crayfish becoming more active on rock piles as water warms
- Small bottom-dwelling prey fish near transition areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from winter deep water to shallower spawning areas, primarily focusing on rocky substrate in 4-12 feet of water
- Males are actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure, making frequent moves between deeper and shallow water
- Aggressive territorial behavior near nesting sites, with fish more likely to strike out of defense rather than feeding
| - Rock piles and gravel flats in 4-8 feet of water, especially on the east side drop-off area
- Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel substrate adjacent to deeper water
- Protected rocky shorelines with reduced wind exposure
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky bottom, especially effective for bed fishing
- Ned Rigs dragged through potential spawning areas
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for finicky fish
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish relating to spawning areas
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively feeding to recover energy, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to deeper summer haunts
- Fish are aggressively pursuing baitfish and crayfish in 8-15 foot zones, especially during morning and evening periods
| - Rock piles and transition areas in 10-15 foot depths, especially on the east side drop-off
- Secondary points with mixed rock and gravel substrate
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water access
| - Drop Shot with slow, subtle movements near rock piles
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with aggressive twitches followed by long pauses
- Tubes dragged and hopped along rocky transitions
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools (perch and shiners)
- Juvenile yellow perch along weed edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
