| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 45-55 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly targeting crawfish and baitfish near transition areas
| - Rocky points and channel swing banks adjacent to spawning flats
- Steep boulder banks in 8-15 foot range near spawning bays
- Deep water access points near future spawning areas in 2-6 foot range
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with long pauses
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along bottom structure
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for pressured fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish groups near transition areas
- Juvenile perch near rocky structure
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawn
- Moving progressively shallower as water temperatures rise, holding on the first break adjacent to spawning areas
| - Protected coves with emerging vegetation near deeper water access
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Laydowns and wood cover in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Jerkbaits worked slowly with long pauses near cover
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow wood and emerging vegetation
- Lipless Crankbaits over transitional flats
| - Panfish concentrations in pre-spawn areas
- Perch in deeper transitional areas
- Crawfish becoming active in warming shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Actively spawning with males making and guarding beds while females move in and out of spawning areas
- Fish are highly visible and territorial, defending nesting sites around boulder areas in shallow water
- Pre/post spawn fish staging on nearby points and breaks, moving between deep and shallow water
| - Protected rocky bays with boulders in 2-6 foot range
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
- Shallow boulder flats with good sun exposure
| - Drop Shot with small finesse baits for bed fishing
- Ned Rigs worked slowly around spawning areas
- Finesse Hair Jigs for searching and locating beds
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish in spawning areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Actively moving into shallow protected bays and coves, seeking warmer water and spawning habitat
- Males staging on pre-spawn areas near spawning flats, females moving in waves from deeper staging areas
- Aggressive territorial behavior around nests once spawning begins
| - Protected shallow bays with hard bottom and scattered laydowns
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Shallow weed edges in 3-8 feet of water near spawning flats
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Soft Jerkbaits
- Shakey Heads
- Wacky Rigs
| - Bluegill and other panfish
- Small perch
- Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are showing increased aggression but remain finesse-sensitive in clear water conditions
| - Boulder fields and rocky areas adjacent to spawning flats in 5-15 foot range
- Points and transition areas leading to deeper water
- Protected rocky bays with mixed depth ranges
| - Finesse Jigs worked slowly around boulders and rocky structure
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses in clear water
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations for pressured fish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter patterns
- Small baitfish in transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are maintaining positions near drop-offs and weed edges for quick access to both shallow and deep water
- Showing aggressive feeding behavior during morning and evening, more reserved during bright midday periods
| - Deep weed edges adjacent to spawning bays (8-15 feet)
- Secondary points with laydowns near spawning pockets
- Protected coves with emerging weed growth (5-12 feet)
| - Texas Rigs (Worming) worked slowly along weed edges
- Soft Jerkbaits with erratic retrieves near cover
- Shakey Heads near laydowns and wood cover
| - Panfish (especially bluegill) around weed edges
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to emerge
- Crawfish active in warmer shallows
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
