Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 52-62 | - Bass are transitioning from winter patterns to pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Fish are relating heavily to dock structure, making frequent moves between deeper and shallower water based on daily temperature changes
- Feeding activity is increasing with warming trends, with fish showing aggressive reaction strikes on moving baits
| - Docks in transition areas between shallow and deep water
- Wind-blown points and banks with clear migration routes to spawning areas
- Brush piles in 8-16 foot range near spawning flats
| - Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along dock edges and between docks
- Lipless Crankbaits around transition areas and points
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) targeting dock pilings and brush
| - Shad schools in transition areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in warming shallows
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Catfish | 58-68 | - Pre-spawn catfish are becoming more active and starting to move from winter depths to transitional areas, following rising water temperatures
- Fish are establishing feeding patterns near structure and channel edges as they prepare for spawning season
- Actively feeding during dawn and dusk periods, with increased daytime activity as waters warm
| - Channel edges and drop-offs in 8-16 foot range near brush piles
- Areas near docks with access to deeper water
- Shallow flats adjacent to deep water, especially near submerged vegetation
| - Live Bait Rigs with bottom bouncing presentation
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19')
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly along structure
| - Shad concentrations in transitional areas
- Bottom-dwelling creatures near decaying vegetation
- Small sunfish near dock structures
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
|
Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Bass are actively moving into shallow spawning areas, particularly in protected coves and around docks where water warms first
- Males are establishing and guarding nests while females stage nearby, making frequent trips between staging and spawning areas
- Feeding activity is heightened pre-spawn, with aggressive responses to prey near spawning areas
| - Protected shallow coves with lily pads and submerged vegetation
- Dock areas in 2-6 foot depth range
- Secondary points leading into spawning coves
| - Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around shallow cover and docks
- Shallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6') worked along transition areas
- Spinnerbaits in wind-blown areas and around vegetation
| - Shad concentrating in spawning areas
- Crawfish becoming more active in shallow areas
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Spawn) | Catfish | 65-75 | - Catfish are transitioning to spawning behavior, moving from deeper winter areas to shallower flats and shoreline areas (8-15 feet) with suitable nesting sites
- Males becoming territorial around nesting sites, while females stage in nearby deeper water, making feeding more sporadic but aggressive
- Most active during dawn and dusk periods, with increased shallow water activity on overcast days
| - Shallow flats near drop-offs with abundant brush piles in 8-16 ft range
- Areas with submerged vegetation and lily pads where organic matter accumulates
- Protected coves and points with rocky or clay bottom structure
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or nightcrawlers near structure
- Vertical Jigging Shallow (0-9') around brush piles and drop-offs
- Texas Rigs (Worming) dragged slowly through spawning flats
| - Shad concentrations in spawning areas
- Bottom-dwelling invertebrates and crawfish
- Small sunfish and baitfish around vegetation
| - Vibrant Craw Colors
- Bold Striped Patterns
- Chartreuse Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively feeding in shallow to mid-depth zones, with strong activity around vegetation and cover
- Fish showing willingness to chase moving baits and strike topwater in vegetation zones
- Bass relating strongly to shallow cover but will move to slightly deeper water during bright conditions
| - Lily pads and emergent vegetation in shallow water
- Submerged vegetation in 5-10 foot depth range
- Laydowns and woody cover adjacent to spawning areas
| - Frogs/Toads worked through vegetation
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) with medium to slow retrieve
- Hard Body Swimbaits near cover
| - Shad schools in upper water column
- Bluegill in vegetation
| - Bold Striped Patterns
- Vibrant Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Catfish | 65-75 | - Post-spawn catfish are actively feeding to recover energy, moving from spawning areas to deeper structure and channel edges
- Fish are transitioning between shallow and deep water, following shad movements and utilizing brush piles as ambush points
| - Channel edges and drop-offs near spawning flats in 8-16 foot range
- Brush piles and submerged structure along main lake points
- Dock areas with access to deeper water
| - Live Bait Rigs with cut shad or large minnows near structure
- Vertical Jigging Mid Depth (10-19') around brush piles
- Carolina Rigs worked slowly along channel edges
| - Shad schools moving along channel edges
- Bottom-dwelling creatures in decaying vegetation
- Small sunfish around docks and brush
| - Chartreuse Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Bold Striped Patterns
|