| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 42-66 | - Fish are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding but remaining close to deep water access. Recent reports show them stacking in bank eddies and holding on mid-river ledges.
- Feeding activity increases with warming water temperatures, particularly evident in the 42-50°F range as shown in recent reports, with most aggressive feeding occurring during warmer parts of the day.
| - Ledges in 6-8 feet of water with access to deeper water, particularly in river channel areas
- Current breaks behind rocks and boulders, especially in areas where sun exposure warms the water faster
- Bank eddies where current seams create prime feeding zones
| - Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') worked just fast enough to maintain bottom contact, as evidenced by multiple successful reports
- Hard Jerkbaits with a slower, suspending presentation, which has proven effective in recent catches
- Ned Rigs drifted naturally with the current, lifting occasionally to trigger strikes
| - Crawfish, which are the primary forage based on multiple recent catches and lake profile analysis
- Minnows, as indicated by successful jerkbait patterns in recent reports
- Shad, particularly in river channel sections
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
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| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 52-65 | - Pre-spawn catfish becoming more active with warming temperatures, moving from deep winter haunts to transitional areas near spawning flats
- Feeding activity increasing, particularly during warmer afternoons, with fish targeting crawfish and baitfish schools near structure
| - Channel edges and ledges adjacent to shallow flats, especially where wood cover is present
- Current breaks near deeper pockets where baitfish congregate
- Rocky areas with crawfish populations, particularly those near depth changes
| - Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along channel edges and structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') near current breaks and wood cover
- Carolina Rigs dragged through rocky areas where crawfish are present
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy and becoming more active
- Schooling baitfish concentrating near structure and current breaks
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 52-65 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning into spawning areas, actively guarding nests in rocky areas and responding to threats to their spawning sites
- Fish are utilizing current breaks and eddies behind boulders as staging and feeding zones, showing aggressive territorial behavior
| - Boulder fields and rock piles in 4-6 feet of water near deeper water access
- Back eddies and current breaks behind rock structure
- River channel edges with rocky substrate
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) slow rolled through current breaks
- Ned Rigs worked around spawning areas
- Swim Jigs with craw or baitfish trailers
- Spinnerbaits slow rolled through current
| - Crawfish emerging in rocky areas
- Shad moving through current breaks
- Small baitfish in channel edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 65-75 | - Catfish are actively seeking warmer, shallow waters for spawning, particularly around rocky or woody structure where they can create and guard nests
- Increased feeding activity during pre-spawn, with fish moving between deeper holding areas and shallow feeding zones, especially during dawn and dusk
| - Rocky or hard-bottom areas near shoreline with laydowns and woody structure in 3-8 feet of water
- Channel edges and ledges adjacent to spawning flats
- Current breaks near deeper pockets, especially where baitfish congregate
| - Live Bait Rigs positioned near spawning areas and structure
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked around laydowns and woody cover
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near current breaks and channel edges
| - Crawfish emerging in warming waters
- Schooling baitfish in transition areas
- Bottom-dwelling insects and larvae
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 61-64 | - Actively feeding in current breaks and around rocky structure in 4-7ft depths, showing aggressive response to bottom-bouncing presentations
- Establishing post-spawn feeding patterns with preference for ambush points near depth transitions
| - Rock ledges and boulder fields in 4-7ft depth range
- Current breaks and eddies behind large boulders
- Laydowns near rocky structure
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly across current breaks
- Ned Rigs worked around rocky structure
- Drop Shot targeting specific boulder edges and transitions
| - Crawfish actively moving on rocky bottom
- Small minnows in current breaks
- Juvenile sunfish in protected areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-72 | - Post-spawn catfish actively feeding to recover energy, utilizing current breaks and structure edges as ambush points
- Fish moving between deeper daytime holding areas and shallower feeding zones during dawn/dusk periods
| - Deep channel edges near woody structure and laydowns
- Current breaks with rocky/hard bottom areas
- Deeper pockets adjacent to shoreline structure
| - Live Bait Rigs positioned near structure edges and current breaks
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') along channel edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around laydowns and woody cover
| - Crawfish emerging and active on hard bottom areas
- Schooling baitfish in transition areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
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