Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 48-58 | - Pre-spawn largemouth bass are transitioning from winter areas to spawning flats, staging on adjacent structure
- Fish are becoming more active with warming temperatures, feeding opportunistically on bluegill in preparation for spawning
| - Boulder fields adjacent to spawning flats
- Secondary points with rock transitions
- Protected coves with emerging vegetation
| - Neko Rigs worked slowly around boulders and transitions
- Shakey Heads near staging areas
- Medium Diving Crankbaits (7'-12') along point transitions
| - Bluegill holding near emerging vegetation and structure
- Perch relating to deeper boulder edges
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
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Spring (Pre-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 48-59 | - Transitioning from winter deep water patterns to shallower pre-spawn staging areas, actively feeding to build energy reserves for spawning
- Most active during warming trends, particularly in afternoons when water temperatures peak
- Moving between wintering areas and spawning sites, utilizing transition zones and staging areas
| - Rock piles and ledges in 8-14 feet adjacent to potential spawning flats
- Main lake points with mixed rock and gravel in 6-12 feet
- Steep shoreline transitions near spawning coves
| - Blade Baits worked slowly along bottom transitions
- Ned Rigs dragged on rocky points and ledges
- Hard Jerkbaits with long pauses over staging areas
| - Bluegill in shallow areas with cover
- Crawfish becoming active in rocky areas
- Small baitfish schools in transition zones
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
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Spring (Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 58-68 | - Largemouth bass are in spawning mode, moving into shallow protected areas to establish nesting sites
- Males are guarding nests while females move between shallow spawning areas and slightly deeper staging areas
- Fish are aggressive and territorial during this period, actively defending their nesting areas
| - Shallow lily pad fields where recent catches have been reported
- Protected coves and bays with stable spawning substrate
- Secondary points adjacent to spawning bays
| - Wacky Rigs worked slowly through spawning areas
- Frogs/Toads over lily pads as confirmed by recent reports
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) for precise presentations to bedding fish
| - Perch, as confirmed by recent fishing reports
- Bluegill, which are common in the vegetated areas
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Green Colors
|
Spring (Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 55-65 | - Smallmouth bass actively spawning in shallow areas, particularly on hard bottom areas like rock or gravel beds
- Males guarding nests aggressively, making them territorial and more likely to strike at threats to the nest
- Pre/post spawn fish staging near deeper water adjacent to spawning flats
| - Shallow rocky or gravel beds in 2-6 feet of water for actively spawning fish
- Rock piles adjacent to spawning flats
- Protected coves with hard bottom composition
| - Shakey Heads worked slowly around spawning beds
- Finesse Jigs pitched to visible beds or rocky structure
- Ned Rigs worked methodically through spawning areas
| - Bluegill in shallow areas around cover
- Smaller baitfish relating to spawning areas
| - Light Neutral Colors
- Natural Craw Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Largemouth Bass | 62-72 | - Post-spawn bass are actively recovering and beginning to feed more aggressively, transitioning from spawning areas to early summer patterns
- Fish are utilizing shoreline vegetation and dock areas as primary feeding zones, making frequent movements between shallow and slightly deeper water
| - Edges of lily pad fields adjacent to slightly deeper water
- Dock areas with access to both shallow and deeper water
- Points and irregular shoreline areas with submerged vegetation
| - Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) worked parallel to vegetation edges
- Texas Rigs (Pitch/Flip) around lily pads and dock posts
- Spinnerbaits worked through scattered vegetation
| - Bluegill beginning to spawn in shallow areas
- Young-of-year perch in slightly deeper vegetation
- Various small baitfish relating to vegetation edges
| - Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
- Purple Colors
|
Spring (Post-Spawn) | Smallmouth Bass | 59-68 | - Post-spawn smallmouth bass are actively recovering and feeding, transitioning from shallow spawning areas to nearby deeper structure
- Fish are establishing summer patterns, frequently relating to rock-to-weed transitions and points where they can ambush prey
| - Rock piles and ledges adjacent to spawning flats (8-14 feet)
- Main lake points with mixed rock and emerging weed growth
- Transition areas between shallow spawning bays and deeper water
| - Ned Rigs worked slowly along rock-to-weed transitions
- Drop Shot with small profile baits near deeper structure
- Soft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium) for covering water and finding active fish
- Tubes dragged along rocky areas
| - Bluegill in shallow areas near cover
- Crayfish emerging in rocky areas
- Small baitfish relating to emerging weed growth
| - Natural Craw Colors
- Natural Baitfish Colors
- Dark Neutrals
|