How to Fish Tar River Reservoir: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Tar River Reservoir

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: Jun 1, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Tar River Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	52-62	Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves Fish are staging near spawning areas but still relating heavily to cover like laydowns, as evidenced by recent fishing reports Bass showing increased aggressive feeding behavior with warming trends, particularly around structure	Laydowns and fallen timber in pre-spawn staging areas, as confirmed by recent fishing success Secondary points leading into spawning coves, particularly those with emerging vegetation Protected shallow coves with developing vegetation growth, ideal for pre-spawn staging	Shakey Heads, proven effective in recent reports for working laydowns Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations around cover Bladed Jigs for covering water between structure	Shad, which lake inferences indicate as primary forage Crawfish becoming active with spring warming	Purple Colors Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	52-62	Moving from winter deep-water sanctuaries to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to prepare for spawn Beginning to school less tightly, with smaller groups breaking off to investigate shallow warming areas Becoming more aggressive in feeding as water temperatures rise, particularly during stable weather patterns	Secondary points and creek channel bends adjacent to spawning flats Brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning areas Dock posts and pilings, especially those near deeper water	Crappie Spider Rigging Crappie Dock Shooting Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')	Adult and juvenile shad schooling in creek channels Small baitfish gathering in warming shallow areas	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Bass are moving shallow (2-6 feet) seeking warmer water and spawning areas, particularly around emerging bank grass and protected coves Males actively guarding nests while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning waves	Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation and stable bottom composition Secondary points leading into spawning bays Shallow docks adjacent to spawning flats	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and visible beds Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly around staging areas Spinnerbaits on windy banks and between spawning pockets	Shad moving into spawning areas Bluegill becoming more active in shallow zones	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	58-68	Crappie are moving into shallow water (2-8 feet) to stage for spawning, particularly around brush, vegetation, and dock pilings Males are establishing and guarding nesting areas while females stage slightly deeper until ready to spawn Aggressive feeding patterns during pre-spawn, becoming more territorial during actual spawn	Protected shallow coves with brush piles and emerging vegetation Dock areas in 4-8 feet of water, especially those near creek channels Shallow flats adjacent to creek channels with submerged vegetation	Crappie Dock Shooting Bobbers Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)	Young-of-year shad starting to emerge Small bluegill and other sunfish fry Various aquatic insects and larvae	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	65-75	Post-spawn bass are actively feeding to recover energy, splitting time between shallow cover and nearby deeper water Fish are showing aggressive surface feeding behavior during overcast conditions, particularly when shad are present Bass are relating heavily to emerging vegetation edges, making short movements to ambush prey	Emerging grass lines and vegetation edges in 3-6 foot range Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those near vegetation Wind-blown points and flats with baitfish activity	Hard Topwater (Walking) worked aggressively during cloudy conditions Swim Jigs worked along grass edges and through scattered vegetation Bladed Jigs around docks and vegetation transitions Wacky Rigs worked slowly near grass edges	Shad schooling in upper water column Bluegill in and around vegetation Minnows around dock areas	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	65-75	Post-spawn crappie transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, becoming more active and aggressive in feeding Fish beginning to school and suspend near structure, particularly around submerged vegetation and dock edges	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 feet of water Dock edges and corners with access to deeper water Brush piles adjacent to creek channels in 12-20 feet	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) Crappie Dock Shooting Crappie Spider Rigging	Young-of-year shad beginning to school Small bluegill and sunfish fry Various aquatic insects near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-85	Largemouth bass are establishing summer patterns, primarily relating to submerged vegetation edges and dock structures in 6-15 foot depths Fish are most active during early morning and evening hours, moving shallower to feed on shad schools around vegetation During midday heat, bass retreat to deeper dock areas and thick vegetation mats for shade	Dock areas with deep water access, especially those near vegetation edges Submerged vegetation edges in 6-12 foot range Wind-blown points with vegetation or structure	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around docks and heavy vegetation Swim Jigs along vegetation edges during active feeding periods Soft Body Swimbaits (Large) for targeting shad-feeding bass Frogs/Toads over matted vegetation during morning hours	Shad schools concentrated around vegetation edges Bluegill relating to dock structures Crawfish active in rocky areas near vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	72-85	Crappie are suspending near submerged vegetation and dock structures, actively feeding during early morning and evening hours Fish are utilizing shade during bright midday periods, tucking tight to cover and becoming more selective feeders	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 feet of water Dock structures with good depth and shade Creek channel bends with adjacent vegetation	Crappie Dock Shooting Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')	Young-of-year shad congregating around vegetation Small bluegill and sunfish around dock structures Aquatic insects in and around vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Tar River Reservoir

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	58-72	Bass actively feeding on large schools of shad, often suspended near structure or ambushing from grass edges Fish transitioning between shallow and mid-depth zones, using docks and vegetation as primary ambush points Increased activity during low-light periods with surface feeding activity visible in evenings	Dock areas with shade lines and suspended bait, especially those near deeper water Edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 foot depth range Laydowns with wind exposure, particularly those with visible bait presence	Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked at varying depths around bait schools Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') parallel to grass edges and dock lines Swim Jigs around dock pilings with both swimming and vertical presentations	Shad schools concentrated around structure and vegetation edges Baitfish suspended under docks and near vegetation	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Crappie	58-72	Crappie are actively chasing shad balls in the pelagic zone, often suspending under bait schools during fall migration patterns Fish are transitioning from summer patterns to winter holding areas, following baitfish movements along creek channels	Creek channel edges where shad schools are congregating Deep water adjacent to submerged vegetation Suspended areas near dock structures where bait balls are present	Crappie Long Lining (Pulling/Trolling) with small jigs through suspended bait schools Hover/Mid-Strolling around creek channel edges Crappie Spider Rigging to target various depth ranges where fish are suspended	Shad schools in active migration Small baitfish relating to remaining vegetation	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors

Winter & Ice Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	44-50	Largemouth bass are holding in deeper winter locations but remaining active due to relatively warm water temperatures (44-50°F), particularly responding to current areas and wind-blown locations Fish are suspending near the bottom in deep coves, especially when shad schools are present, and utilizing flooded cover in creek arms when water levels are high	Deep coves with suspended shad schools, particularly on wind-blown sides Flooded brush and trees in creek arms, especially on the downside of current River channel bends adjacent to deep coves	Spinnerbaits worked through suspended fish in deep coves Texas Rigs pitched to flooded brush and timber Blade Baits worked vertically in deeper water	Shad schools suspended in deep coves Crawfish in flooded brush areas	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	38-45	Crappie are suspended in deep water near creek channels and brush piles, requiring slow, methodical presentations as fish are less aggressive in cold water Fish are schooling and feeding on dying/stressed shad, with feeding being selective and requiring patient presentations	Creek channels with adjacent brush piles in 10-20 feet of water Deep water ledges near channel bends Suspended over river channels with nearby structure	Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') Trolling Mid Depth (10-19') Damiki Rig	Dying or stressed shad affected by cold water temperatures Suspended shad schools in creek channels	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Tar River Reservoir

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Laydowns and fallen timber in pre-spawn staging areas, as confirmed by recent fishing success	Secondary points leading into spawning coves, particularly those with emerging vegetation
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Secondary points and creek channel bends adjacent to spawning flats	Brush piles in 8-15 foot depth range near spawning areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow coves with emerging vegetation and stable bottom composition	Secondary points leading into spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Protected shallow coves with brush piles and emerging vegetation	Dock areas in 4-8 feet of water, especially those near creek channels
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Emerging grass lines and vegetation edges in 3-6 foot range	Docks adjacent to deeper water, especially those near vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 feet of water	Dock edges and corners with access to deeper water
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dock areas with deep water access, especially those near vegetation edges	Submerged vegetation edges in 6-12 foot range
Summer	Crappie	Submerged vegetation edges in 8-15 feet of water	Dock structures with good depth and shade
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dock areas with shade lines and suspended bait, especially those near deeper water	Edges of submerged vegetation in 6-8 foot depth range
Fall	Crappie	Creek channel edges where shad schools are congregating	Deep water adjacent to submerged vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Deep coves with suspended shad schools, particularly on wind-blown sides	Flooded brush and trees in creek arms, especially on the downside of current
Winter	Crappie	Creek channels with adjacent brush piles in 10-20 feet of water	Deep water ledges near channel bends

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad, which lake inferences indicate as primary forage	Crawfish becoming active with spring warming
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Adult and juvenile shad schooling in creek channels	Small baitfish gathering in warming shallow areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad moving into spawning areas	Bluegill becoming more active in shallow zones
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year shad starting to emerge	Small bluegill and other sunfish fry
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Shad schooling in upper water column	Bluegill in and around vegetation
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Young-of-year shad beginning to school	Small bluegill and sunfish fry
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated around vegetation edges	Bluegill relating to dock structures
Summer	Crappie	Young-of-year shad congregating around vegetation	Small bluegill and sunfish around dock structures
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools concentrated around structure and vegetation edges	Baitfish suspended under docks and near vegetation
Fall	Crappie	Shad schools in active migration	Small baitfish relating to remaining vegetation
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Shad schools suspended in deep coves	Crawfish in flooded brush areas
Winter	Crappie	Dying or stressed shad affected by cold water temperatures	Suspended shad schools in creek channels

Bait Colors by Season for Tar River Reservoir

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Purple Colors Natural Craw Colors Natural Shad Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Baitfish Colors Dark Neutrals Chartreuse Colors
Spring (Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Light Neutral Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Dark Neutrals Natural Baitfish Colors
Summer	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Chartreuse Colors Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors
Fall	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Natural Baitfish Colors Chartreuse Colors
Winter	Largemouth Bass	Natural Shad Colors Chartreuse Colors Dark Neutrals
Winter	Crappie	Natural Shad Colors Light Neutral Colors Chartreuse Colors

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