Spring Fishing in the South: Best Spots & Top Tactics

Spring is a time of renewal, and for anglers across the South, it’s also the start of some of the best fishing of the year. Warming waters trigger spawning activity, making fish more aggressive and accessible. Whether you’re after trophy bass, slabs of crappie, or monster catfish, springtime offers unparalleled opportunities.

The South is vast and diverse, so breaking it down by region makes it easier to plan your next fishing adventure. Let’s dive into the best spring fishing opportunities across the southern states and the tactics that will help you land more fish.

Southeastern States: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina

The southeastern states are home to some of the most famous fishing waters in the country.

Florida: The Bass Capital of the World

When spring arrives, Florida’s largemouth bass enter their peak spawning season. Top lakes like Lake Okeechobee, the St. Johns River, and Rodman Reservoir produce trophy-sized fish as they move into the shallows to spawn. Target bass using soft plastic lizards, creature baits, and live wild shiners for the best results.

Other Key Florida Species: Speckled perch (crappie) in Lake Kissimmee, bluegill in the Everglades, and saltwater species like redfish and snook along the Gulf Coast.

Georgia & The Carolinas: Prime Reservoirs & Rivers

Georgia and the Carolinas are known for their world-class reservoirs. Lake Lanier, Clarks Hill Lake, and Santee Cooper are excellent for bass, crappie, and striped bass during the spring. As water temperatures rise, fish move into shallower spawning grounds, making them easier to target with crankbaits, jigs, and live bait.

Best Tactics:

Use jerkbaits and crankbaits for pre-spawn bass.
Drift live bait for trophy stripers on Lake Murray.
Find crappie near submerged brush piles using small jigs and minnows.

Deep South States: Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana

The Deep South is a paradise for anglers looking for variety, with an abundance of lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries.

Alabama’s Bass & Crappie Hotspots

Alabama’s Lake Guntersville is one of the top destinations for spring bass fishing. The combination of hydrilla beds, ledges, and backwater areas make it ideal for targeting big largemouth. For crappie, Weiss Lake is known as the “Crappie Capital of the World.”

Mississippi’s Monster Catfish & Slabs of Crappie

The Mississippi River and its oxbow lakes produce some of the biggest catfish in the country. Anglers use cut bait, live bream, or stink baits to hook into blues and flatheads exceeding 50 pounds. Meanwhile, lakes like Sardis and Grenada offer phenomenal crappie action.

Louisiana’s Legendary Fishing Waters

Spring is peak time for bass in the Atchafalaya Basin and Toledo Bend. Speckled trout and redfish also become more active in coastal marshes, providing incredible inshore action.

Best Tactics:

Flip soft plastics into cypress trees for bass in Louisiana bayous.
Use cut bait to attract giant Mississippi River blue catfish.
Cast topwater baits early in the morning for explosive strikes.

Texas & Oklahoma: Reservoir Giants & Red River Monsters

Texas: Big Bass & Blue Catfish

Texas is home to some of the best bass fisheries in the country. Lakes like Sam Rayburn, Falcon, and Fork are prime spots in the spring. Trophy bass are caught around submerged timber and brush piles using spinnerbaits, Texas-rigged plastics, and swimbaits.

For catfish anglers, the Trinity River produces massive blue catfish, while Lake Tawakoni is known for consistent big fish action.

Oklahoma: Springtime Slabs & Striped Bass

Oklahoma’s Grand Lake and Lake Eufaula shine in the spring for crappie anglers. White bass and striped bass runs are also in full swing on the Arkansas River system, with fish stacking up below dams.

Best Tactics:

Slow-roll spinnerbaits for prespawn bass in Texas lakes.
Use live shad to target massive blue catfish in the Red River.
Troll crankbaits for striped bass in Oklahoma’s reservoirs.

Spring Fishing Gear & Bait Recommendations

Bass Fishing: Soft plastics, jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits for targeting pre-spawn and spawning fish.
Crappie Fishing: Small jigs, minnows, and slip bobbers for suspended fish near brush piles.
Catfish Fishing: Cut bait, live bream, and stink baits for targeting big blues and flatheads.
Striped Bass Fishing: Live shad, artificial swimbaits, and trolling crankbaits in open water.

Final Thoughts: Make the Most of Spring Fishing in the South

Spring fishing in the South is a prime opportunity to catch some of the biggest fish of the year. Whether you’re bass fishing in Florida, chasing crappie in Mississippi, or battling catfish in Texas, understanding seasonal movements and using the right tactics will put you on more fish.

No matter where you fish, spring is the perfect time to get on the water and take advantage of aggressive fish, rising water temperatures, and spawning activity. So grab your gear, hit your favorite fishing spot, and make this spring your best season yet!