| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn bass are gradually moving from winter depths to staging areas near spawning flats, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are beginning to feed more aggressively to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warmer afternoons
| - Secondary points and channel swings adjacent to spawning flats in 5-9 ft depth
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation, especially near deeper water access
- Dock areas providing both cover and quick access to deeper water
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation and over flats
- Spinnerbaits along dock edges and points during cloudy conditions
- Shakey Heads worked slowly on secondary points and staging areas
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallower with warming trends
- Crawfish becoming more active in rocky areas and around docks
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 52-62 | - Pre-spawn crappies are transitioning from deeper winter areas to shallower spawning zones, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are congregating in staging areas near spawning flats, becoming increasingly active as water temperatures rise
| - Protected coves with scattered weed clumps in 5-8 feet of water
- Docks adjacent to spawning flats, especially those with deeper water access
- Weed edges near shallow flats that warm quickly
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
- Bobbers
| - Small minnows concentrating in warming shallow areas
- Young-of-year baitfish schooling near structure
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, following warming trends
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, particularly during warmer periods
- Moving along transition areas between deep winter haunts and shallow spawning zones
| - Rocky points adjacent to deeper water, especially those leading into spawning bays
- Rip rap areas that warm quickly on sunny days
- Channel swings with rock structure in 8-15 foot depth range
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky structure
- Ned Rigs worked methodically on points and transitions
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in transition areas
- Bottom-dwelling prey like gobies and small perch
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Fish transitioning to spawning areas, with males starting to create and guard nests in protected shallow areas
- Females staging in slightly deeper water near spawning flats, moving up during warmer periods
- Increased activity during warmer parts of the day, especially in sheltered coves and areas protected from wind
| - Protected shallow coves with firm bottom and scattered vegetation
- Dock areas in 2-4 feet of water, especially those near spawning flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Soft Jerkbaits
- Shakey Heads
| - Bluegill beginning to move shallow
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Crappies are moving into shallow spawning areas (2-6 feet) as water temperatures rise, particularly around protected coves and shallow flats with cover
- Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage slightly deeper, moving in periodically to spawn
- Most active feeding occurs during dawn and dusk, with increased daytime activity during the spawn
| - Protected shallow coves with scattered weed clumps, especially near deeper water access
- Docks in 4-6 feet of water, particularly those near spawning flats
- Weed edges in 5-8 feet of water where pre-spawn females stage
| - Crappie Dock Shooting
- Bobbers
- Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
| - Small Minnows
- Young of Year Baitfish
- Small Aquatic Insects
| - Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass moving into shallow spawning areas near rocky shorelines and rip rap, actively defending nesting sites
- Males staging in pre-spawn areas in 3-6 ft, with females holding slightly deeper in 6-9 ft near spawning flats
| - Rocky shorelines and rip rap areas in 2-6 ft for active spawners
- Adjacent deeper points in 6-9 ft where pre-spawn fish stage
- Protected bays with gravel or rock bottom for nesting sites
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Ned Rigs fished with subtle movements near staging areas
- Soft Jerkbaits for targeting pre-spawn fish on points
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in warming shallows
- Young of year perch in protected bays
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding but still relating heavily to shallow cover
- Fish are showing typical post-spawn behavior with some cruising in shallow water and others holding tight to cover like docks
| - Shallow docks in 3-6 foot range, especially on the west end of the lake
- Shallow banks with dock and vegetation combinations
- Points and transitions near spawning flats
| - Structure Jigs skipped under docks
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) with creature baits around shallow cover
- Wacky Rigs worked slowly for cruising fish
| - Crawfish - primary forage based on recent reports
- Bluegill - beginning to become more active in shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies are recovering from spawning and beginning to transition to deeper water, actively feeding to regain energy
- Fish are moving between shallow cover and nearby deeper water, with most active feeding during early morning and evening hours
| - Weed edges in 5-8 feet of water, particularly where they intersect with deeper water access
- Shaded dock areas adjacent to deeper water
- Protected coves with scattered weed clumps
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling) with light jigs around weed edges
- Crappie Dock Shooting for fish holding under docks
- Hover/Mid-Strolling along weed edges and between docks
| - Small minnows gathering around weed edges
- Young-of-year baitfish beginning to school
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 65-72 | - Active feeding post-spawn, using rocky structures and transitions for recovery and feeding stations
- Moving between shallow and moderate depths (3-9 ft) as they transition from spawning to early summer patterns
| - Rocky points and rip-rap areas in 3-6 foot depth range
- Transition areas where rock structure meets submerged vegetation
- Main lake points with access to deeper water
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock transitions
- Tubes dragged and hopped on rocky points
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses near vegetation edges
| - Crayfish emerging in rocky areas
- Small baitfish schools near structure
- Young of the year panfish near vegetation edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
