How to Fish Upper South Long Lake: Best Patterns & Techniques | Omnia Fishing

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Upper South Long Lake

Published: Nov 1, 2018Updated: May 28, 2025

Table of Contents

Spring Fishing Patterns on Upper South Long Lake

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 depths to staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning Fish are becoming more aggressive but still maintaining deeper holding patterns due to the stained water conditions	Deeper weed edges in 10-12 foot range adjacent to potential spawning flats Secondary points and channel swings leading to spawning bays Deeper structure with quick access to shallower spawning areas	Lipless Crankbaits worked along deeper weed edges Bladed Jigs with slow, steady retrieves through transition areas Texas Rigs (Worming) worked methodically along structure	Bluegill concentrations near deep weed edges Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	58-68	Largemouth bass transitioning into spawning phase, actively seeking protected spawning areas in 3-6 foot depths, particularly near weed edges Males actively guarding nests while females stage in slightly deeper water (8-12 feet) near weed edges between spawning periods	Protected shallow areas near weed edges in 3-6 foot depths with firm bottom Secondary points and pockets near deeper weed edges in 10-12 foot range Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper staging areas	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around visible spawning areas and shallow cover Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning areas and staging points Spinnerbaits along weed edges for actively feeding pre/post spawn fish	Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas Small baitfish relating to weed edges Crawfish becoming more active in warming water	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	76-78	Post-spawn bass have transitioned from shallow spawning areas to deeper weed edges, forming active feeding schools in 10-12 foot depth range Fish are showing both aggressive and passive feeding behaviors, with schools actively feeding on bluegill near their spawning areas	Outside weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, particularly where defined edges meet clean bottom Areas near deep bluegill spawning beds in 10 foot depth range Deeper sections of submerged vegetation where schools are holding	Texas Rigs (Worming) - power fishing along weed edges Ned Rigs - finesse presentation for pressured or neutral fish Drop Shot - effective for targeting suspended fish near weed edges	Bluegill - primary forage with active spawning beds in 10ft Shad - secondary forage mentioned in reports	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns

Summer Fishing Patterns

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Summer	Largemouth Bass	72-82	Actively feeding along deep weed edges (10-12 feet) during early morning and evening hours, seeking cooler, oxygenated water Suspending near dense vegetation during midday, moving deeper when temperatures peak Targeting bluegill populations around their spawning areas as primary forage	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot depth range Areas near bluegill spawning beds in 10-foot depth Dense vegetation mats providing shade and ambush points	Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around thick vegetation and weed edges Drop Shot along deeper weed edges when fish are less aggressive Swim Jigs early morning and evening through vegetation gaps	Spawning Bluegills Young of Year Baitfish in weed growth	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors

Fall Fishing Guide for Upper South Long Lake

Season	Species	Water Temp	Behavioral Patterns	Key Locations	Best Techniques	Forage Types	Bait Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	52-68	Bass are transitioning to deeper weed edges and actively feeding on baitfish, following cooling water temperatures Fish are becoming more concentrated around remaining vegetation, particularly in areas with good baitfish presence	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation is still healthy Secondary points with submerged vegetation Deeper pockets within grass beds that provide ambush points	Grass Jigs with slow presentations, particularly micro and mini sizes Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) worked methodically through vegetation Ned Rigs along weed edges for pressured fish	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation Young of year baitfish schooling near grass edges	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

Key Seasonal Structures in Upper South Long Lake

Season	Species	Primary Structure	Secondary Structure
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Deeper weed edges in 10-12 foot range adjacent to potential spawning flats	Secondary points and channel swings leading to spawning bays
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Protected shallow areas near weed edges in 3-6 foot depths with firm bottom	Secondary points and pockets near deeper weed edges in 10-12 foot range
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Outside weed edges in 10-12 feet of water, particularly where defined edges meet clean bottom	Areas near deep bluegill spawning beds in 10 foot depth range
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot depth range	Areas near bluegill spawning beds in 10-foot depth
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range where vegetation is still healthy	Secondary points with submerged vegetation

Primary Forage by Season

Season	Species	Primary Forage	Secondary Forage
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrations near deep weed edges	Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating in spawning areas	Small baitfish relating to weed edges
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill - primary forage with active spawning beds in 10ft	Shad - secondary forage mentioned in reports
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Spawning Bluegills	Young of Year Baitfish in weed growth
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Bluegill concentrating near remaining vegetation	Young of year baitfish schooling near grass edges

Bait Colors by Season for Upper South Long Lake

Season	Species	Bait Colors
Spring (Pre-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Vibrant Craw Colors Dark Neutrals Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Spring (Post-Spawn)	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Bold Striped Patterns
Summer	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors Purple Colors
Fall	Largemouth Bass	Dark Neutrals Vibrant Craw Colors

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