| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-60 | - Bass are transitioning from winter deep water areas to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish become more active during warming trends, moving up to shallower flats on sunny days and retreating to deeper adjacent areas during cold fronts
- Feeding activity increases significantly as water temperatures climb, with fish showing aggressive pursuit of prey in staging areas
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays, especially those with mixed rock and vegetation in 6-12 foot depth
- Deep weed edges in 17-20 foot range near shallow spawning flats
- Rocky shorelines and points that warm quickly on sunny days
| - Lipless Crankbaits worked along transition areas between deep and shallow water
- Bladed Jigs slow-rolled through emerging vegetation
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses in clear water conditions
| - Bluegill moving shallow as water warms
- Crawfish becoming more active on rocky areas
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn staging areas
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Crappie | 48-58 | - Moving from winter deep water areas to transitional staging areas near spawning flats
- Actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning, with increased activity during warmer afternoons
- Congregating in large schools in pre-spawn staging areas, particularly near drop-offs adjacent to spawning areas
| - Protected coves with gradual slopes leading to spawning flats
- Drop-offs adjacent to shallow spawning areas (8-15 ft)
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation near deeper water
| - Crappie Spider Rigging
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Live Bait Rigs
| - Small minnows moving into warming shallows
- Young bluegill in and around emerging vegetation
- Micro invertebrates becoming active in warming water
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-58 | - Smallmouth bass are transitioning from winter depths to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are moving along migration routes from deep wintering areas to shallow spawning locations, pausing at transition areas
- Feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish particularly active during afternoon hours when water temperatures peak
| - Boulder fields in 8-15 foot depth range, especially those adjacent to deeper wintering areas
- Secondary points with rock or gravel leading into spawning bays
- Steep shoreline transitions where deep water meets shallow rocky areas
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along boulder fields and rock transitions
- Blade Baits worked with slow, vertical presentations near deep-to-shallow transition areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
| - Crayfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Bluegill in slightly deeper breaks
- Small baitfish relating to boulder fields
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Males moving shallow to establish spawning beds in protected areas, while females stage on nearby drop-offs
- Highly territorial behavior around nesting sites, with aggressive responses to perceived threats
- Pre-spawn feeding activity increases during warming trends, with fish targeting high-protein forage
| - Protected bays and coves with firm bottom composition for spawning
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats
- Deep weedline edges at 17-20 feet where pre-spawn females stage
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting visible beds and shallow cover
- Soft Jerkbaits worked slowly along staging areas
- Ned Rigs for finesse presentation to spooky shallow fish
| - Bluegill gathering in shallow spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Crappie | 58-68 | - Moving into shallow bays and protected areas seeking warmer water temperatures for spawning
- Males staging and creating beds in areas with firm bottom composition, while females stage slightly deeper
- Actively feeding during pre-spawn, becoming more focused on spawning activities as water temperatures rise
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom and sparse vegetation
- Shallow coves near deeper water access
- Areas adjacent to emerging weed growth in 3-8 feet of water
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Bobbers
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
| - Bluegill fry and small juvenile bluegills
- Small minnows congregating in warming shallows
- Emerging aquatic insects
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Pink Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass are moving into spawning areas, particularly around boulder fields and rocky shorelines in 2-8 feet of water
- Males are actively guarding nesting sites while females stage on nearby deeper structure between spawning activities
- Fish are aggressive and territorial during this period, particularly when protecting nests
| - Boulder fields in 2-8 feet of water, especially those adjacent to deeper water
- Protected rocky bays with gravel or small rock bottom
- Secondary points with rock or boulder structure leading into spawning bays
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around boulder fields and spawning areas
- Tubes dragged and hopped through rocky areas
- Drop Shot with small profile baits for sight fishing spawning bass
| - Crayfish emerging from winter hibernation
- Small bluegills around shallow structure
- Small baitfish moving into warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn bass are transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish are primarily utilizing depths between 5-15 feet, relating to emerging weed growth and moving between shallow and deeper water
| - Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays with emerging vegetation
- Developing weed edges in 8-12 foot depth range
- Hard bottom areas near deep water access
| - Soft Jerkbaits worked with erratic retrieves parallel to developing weed edges
- Texas Rigs (Worming) through scattered vegetation
- Spinnerbaits around points and emerging grass
| - Bluegill beginning to concentrate near developing weed growth
- Crawfish active on hard bottom areas
- Small baitfish relating to emerging vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Crappie | 62-72 | - Post-spawn crappies transitioning from shallow spawning areas to early summer patterns, actively feeding to recover energy
- Fish gradually moving toward deeper structure but still relating to shoreline areas and shallow cover during prime feeding periods
| - Shallow weed edges in 6-12 feet adjacent to spawning areas
- Secondary points with submerged vegetation
- Protected coves with emerging weed growth
| - Crappie Sniping (Casting/Single Poling)
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9')
| - Small bluegills and juvenile panfish
- Emerging insect larvae
- Small minnows gathering around new weed growth
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
- Purple Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth are actively feeding to recover energy, focusing on bluegill populations around boulder fields and shallow structure
- Fish are establishing early summer patterns, moving between shallow feeding areas and slightly deeper rest areas
| - Boulder fields in 5-15 foot depth range
- Rocky points adjacent to spawning bays
- Transition areas between shallow flats and deeper water
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly around boulders and rocky structure
- Drop Shot with small profile baits
- Tubes dragged along boulder fields
| - Bluegill
- Small crayfish emerging in rocky areas
| - Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
