| Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Bass are moving from winter depths to transitional staging areas, becoming more active as water temperatures rise
- Fish are seeking warmth in protected shallow areas but will retreat to deeper water during cold fronts
- Feeding activity increases gradually, with fish targeting both crawfish and early baitfish movements
| - Protected shallow bays with emerging cabbage growth in 4-7 foot range
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning flats in 5-10 foot range
- Deep weed edges in 10-12 foot range serving as cold front retreat areas
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly along transitions and emerging vegetation
- Ned Rigs with subtle presentations in clear water conditions
- Soft Jerkbaits worked with long pauses to imitate struggling baitfish
| - Crawfish emerging from winter dormancy
- Small baitfish schools in pre-spawn patterns
- Young of year perch in deeper vegetation
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
|
| Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 55-65 | - Largemouth bass are in pre-spawn to spawning mode, moving from deeper cabbage flats to shallow protected areas for nest building
- Males are aggressively guarding nests while females move between spawning areas and nearby deeper vegetation
| - Protected shallow bays with firm bottom near cabbage flats
- Secondary points leading into spawning bays
- Outside edges of sparse cabbage in 7-12 foot range serving as staging areas
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip)
- Wacky Rigs
- Shakey Heads
| - Small panfish and juvenile perch in spawning areas
- Minnows relating to emerging vegetation
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Green Colors
- Light Neutral Colors
|
| Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Post-spawn largemouth bass are beginning to actively feed again, moving from spawning areas to early summer feeding locations
- Fish are establishing patterns around the deep cabbage weed edges, using them as primary feeding zones in the clear water
| - Outside edges of cabbage weed beds in 7-12 foot range
- Secondary points near spawning bays with emerging vegetation
- Transition areas between spawning flats and deeper feeding areas
| - Drop Shot with small profile baits for clear water finesse presentation
- Ned Rigs worked slowly along weed edges
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for actively feeding fish
| - Small minnows gathering around emerging weed growth
- Young of the year panfish beginning to emerge
- Crayfish becoming more active in warming waters
| - Natural Shad Colors
- Green Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
