| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Fish transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active with warming trends
- Males beginning to scout spawning areas while females stage on nearby deeper structure
- Feeding activity increasing as fish prepare for spawn, with emphasis on larger, protein-rich forage
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays in 8-12 feet
- Deep weed edges where remaining winter vegetation meets hard bottom
- Protected northern bays with darker bottom composition for warmth
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves near structure
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallower with warming trends
- Crawfish becoming more active on hard bottom areas
- Small baitfish schools relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-68 | - Males staging on secondary points and moving into spawning bays, while females hold on nearby deeper breaks
- Fish becoming more active and aggressive as water temperatures rise, with increased shallow water activity
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and scattered vegetation
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning areas
- Shallow docks providing overhead cover near spawning areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and bed areas
- Shakey Heads on secondary points and transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for cruising pre-spawn fish
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed aggressively, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing emerging weed growth and moving between shallow recovery areas and deeper feeding zones
| - Emerging weed edges in 8-12 feet of water, especially where cabbage/milfoil is beginning to grow
- Secondary points and flats adjacent to spawning bays
- Docks providing shade and structure during recovery period
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to emerging weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly through transitional areas
- Spinnerbaits around dock posts and shallow cover
| - Bluegill beginning to establish summer patterns in emerging weeds
- Young of the year baitfish becoming more active in shallows
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
