Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Pre-spawn bass are transitioning from winter areas to staging areas near spawning flats, actively feeding to build energy reserves
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and moving shallower as water temperatures rise, particularly during afternoon hours
| - Shallow flats adjacent to deeper water, especially near emerging vegetation
- Secondary points and rock piles in 6-7 foot depths leading to spawning areas
- Protected coves with gradual slopes, particularly on the north side of the lake
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked through emerging vegetation
- Bladed Jigs around shallow rock piles and transition areas
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly over staging areas
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in shallow vegetation
- Small shad schools in staging areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn smallmouth bass are actively moving into shallower areas and feeding heavily on baitfish near submerged vegetation as water temperatures rise
- Fish are becoming more aggressive and willing to chase reaction baits like jerkbaits, particularly during warmer parts of the day
| - Submerged vegetation adjacent to deeper water, especially where it intersects with rocky areas
- Rocky points and shorelines that warm quickly in spring sun
- Secondary points and shallow flats near pre-spawn staging areas
| - Hard Jerkbaits worked with a slow to medium-fast retrieve, incorporating frequent pauses
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked slowly near vegetation edges
- Blade Baits worked along transitional areas between shallow and deeper water
| - Bluegill congregating near emerging vegetation
- Shad schools moving into warmer shallow areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Metallic Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 52-65 | - Staging in pre-spawn areas near shallow flats with vegetation, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Moving between deeper winter holdover areas and shallow feeding zones as temperatures fluctuate
- Showing increased aggression and feeding activity during warming trends, particularly in afternoon hours
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-4 foot depths
- Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
- Docks near shallow flats providing overhead cover
| - Live Bait Rigs with small minnows or worms suspended 1-2 feet off bottom
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly around rock piles
- Bobbers with small jigs near emerging vegetation
| - Small shad and minnows
- Aquatic insects emerging with warming water
- Small crustaceans around rock structures
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 52-65 | - Moving from deeper wintering areas to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods, utilizing current breaks and structure edges as transition routes
| - Rocky areas near the dam with current breaks in 8-15 feet of water
- Shallow bays with emerging vegetation in 3-4 feet of water
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays with gradual slopes
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut bait or whole shad positioned near structure
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly along rocky transitions
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near current breaks
| - Shad moving into shallower water
- Bluegill in emerging vegetation
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates in rocky areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Vibrant Craw Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, actively moving into shallow protected areas to establish and guard nests. Males will be extremely territorial and aggressive in defending these areas.
- Fish are most active during warmer parts of the day, particularly in shallow areas where the water warms fastest
| - Protected shallow flats near the dam, especially in 2-4 foot depths where recent catches have been reported
- Shallow coves with vegetation (reeds, cat tails) that provide spawning habitat
- Protected areas between docks where gradual slopes create ideal spawning conditions
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') - matching recent success reports and ideal for covering water to find active fish
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) - excellent for targeting visible bed fish and working through shallow cover
- Wacky Rigs - effective for spawning bass, especially when pitched to visible beds or likely spawning areas
| - Shad - primary forage based on recent fishing reports
- Bluegill - abundant in the shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish - becoming active in shallow rocky areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Craw Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Actively moving into shallow rocky areas and flats (3-4 feet) for spawning, with males guarding nests
- Pre-spawn feeding heavily near submerged vegetation edges and transitional areas before moving to spawning sites
| - Rocky flats and pockets in 3-4 foot depth range with hard bottom
- Vegetation edges adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected areas between docks offering spawning habitat
| - Tubes worked slowly along rocky areas and potential nest sites
- Soft Jerkbaits near vegetation edges for pre-spawn fish
- Ned Rigs for precise presentations to spotted fish
| - Crawfish emerging in warming shallows
- Bluegill in vegetation edges
- Shad in slightly deeper transitional areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 62-75 | - Bluegill are actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly around vegetation and protected bays
- Males are establishing and guarding nesting colonies in 2-4 foot depths, becoming increasingly aggressive
- Feeding activity increases in pre-spawn, with fish targeting both insects and small baitfish near structure
| - Shallow flats with vegetation in 3-4 foot depths
- Protected bays with lily pads and submerged vegetation
- Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
- Dock areas providing shade and protection
| - Live Bait Rigs with small hooks and light line for spawning colonies
- Bobbers with suspended baits near vegetation edges
- Micro Crankbaits worked slowly around rock piles
- Inline Spinners cast near shallow structure
| - Small insects and larvae around vegetation
- Young-of-year shad in shallow areas
- Crustaceans near rock structures
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Pink Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 68-75 | - Male catfish are actively seeking warm, shallow spawning areas near rocky structure and undercut banks
- Females stage in slightly deeper water near spawning areas, moving in to spawn when water temperatures are optimal
| - Rocky areas and ledges in 3-4 feet of water, especially near shoreline structure
- Areas near the dam with hard bottom and cavities for nest building
- Protected coves with gradual slopes and abundant structure
| - Live Bait Rigs with weighted slip bobbers to present baits just off the bottom
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') near identified spawning areas
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow structure and potential spawning cavities
| - Bluegill concentrating in the shallows
- Shad moving into spawning areas
- Insects and crawfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Active feeding in shallow water (3-4 feet) near emerging vegetation and transition areas
- Moving between spawning flats and early summer feeding areas, utilizing drop-offs as travel routes
- Showing preference for structure-oriented feeding, targeting crawfish and bluegill near cover
| - Shallow flats with emerging vegetation (reeds, cattails, lily pads) in 3-4 feet of water
- Drop-offs and ledges in 6-7 foot range adjacent to spawning areas
- Rock piles and hard structure near shallow water
| - Spinnerbaits worked at medium speed along vegetation edges
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along drop-offs and bottom transitions
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) around rock piles and structure
| - Crawfish - primary forage based on multiple recent catches
- Bluegill - actively being targeted by bass near structure
- Other small baitfish utilizing shallow vegetation
| - Chartreuse
- Green Pumpkin
- White
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, moving between shallow and mid-depth areas following baitfish schools
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, transitioning from spawning areas to main lake structure while remaining aggressive
| - Rock piles and drop-offs in 6-7 foot range adjacent to spawning flats
- Shallow flats with mixed vegetation in 3-4 feet of water
- Dock areas providing shade and ambush points for feeding
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked along drop-offs and through baitfish schools
- Drop Shot rigged with finesse baits around rock piles and dock posts
- Spinnerbaits worked parallel to shoreline structure and through vegetation
| - Shad schools suspending near drop-offs
- Bluegills in shallow vegetation
- Crawfish active on rocky bottom areas
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Panfish / Bluegill | 65-75 | - Post-spawn bluegill transitioning from spawning areas to early summer feeding patterns, actively feeding throughout the day around structure
- Showing preference for shad and small baitfish in addition to typical insect forage, suggesting aggressive feeding behavior
| - Rock piles in 3-6 foot depth range
- Shallow flats with emerging vegetation
- Docks adjacent to deeper water
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')
- Bobbers
- Inline Spinners
| - Shad
- Aquatic Insects
- Small Crustaceans
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Chartreuse Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-72 | - Post-spawn catfish are becoming more active and establishing feeding patterns near structure, particularly during low-light periods
- Fish are transitioning from deeper wintering areas to shallower feeding zones, especially around docks and vegetated areas
- Increased activity levels as water temperatures rise, with fish actively feeding on insects and small forage fish
| - Dock areas, especially those near depth changes or with good shade coverage
- Rocky areas and ledges adjacent to shallow feeding flats
- Areas with emergent vegetation like lily pads and cattails
- Dam area with current breaks and deeper water
| - Bobbers with live bait or cut bait, particularly effective during active feeding periods
- Live Bait Rigs worked slowly along structure edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) for working through vegetation and around dock pilings
| - Insects, particularly abundant in spring
- Bluegill and other small panfish
- Shad moving into shallower water
| - Dark Neutrals
- Chartreuse Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|