Bass Fishing Report - February 12, 2026

12 Feb

Bass Fishing Report - February 12, 2026

Bass Forecast

Bass Fishing Tips , Bass Fishing …

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Bass Fishing Report: February 12 - 16, 2026

If you’re on the West Coast or anywhere across the South, you’re in luck! Seasonably warm temps and an early‑week new moon are lining up to make this weekend’s bass bite noticeably better. You might need a rain jacket, but at least this front isn’t a true “Norther.”

Scroll down, check out the Seasonal Pattern Heat Map, and you’ll see it for yourself: Pre‑Spawn season is marching north by the day. By Saturday, the dividing line between “Winter” and “Pre‑Spawn” patterns cuts almost straight across the country.

HOT TIP: In some regions, the very first waves of spawning activity will begin. That doesn’t mean beds everywhere, it means males are starting to scout and clear spots, and big females may be sliding shallower than you expect. That’s your cue to keep a close eye on the three active bass seasons inside your Bass Forecast mobile app. If “Spawn” is detected but the bite isn’t there, flip to “Pre‑Spawn” patterns… and if that still doesn’t unlock them, check “Post‑Spawn” for backup options.

Now scroll down to see what’s happening in your region and dial in your weekend plan or open your BassForecast app’s Seasonal Patterns for all 10 days of bass fishing game plans.

Quick links to your specific regional fishing forecast below

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Your Regional Bass Fishing Report

Quick links to your specific regional fishing forecast below

Pacific Northwest

(Washington, Oregon, Idaho)

Bite: TOUGH → GOOD

Pattern: WINTER

A slight warm‑up and a new moon are giving PNW anglers a rare mid‑winter window. If you can find a lake that isn’t locked up with ice, the bite should be noticeably better than what February usually gives you. If your waters are iced over check out our ice-fishing for bass top tips article.

Start by working drop‑offs, main‑lake basins, creek channels, and deeper points with suspending jerkbaits, deep‑diving crankbaits, and umbrella rigs to pull active fish up. After that first pass, slow down and grind the same areas with Carolina rigs and Ned rigs to pick off the stubborn ones.

If nothing is rising or reacting, shift to spybaits, drop shots, jigs, or jigging spoons to reach fish holding deeper or glued to the bottom. And if you’re running forward‑facing sonar, Hover and Mid‑Strolling are deadly for targeting individual fish.

Southwest

(California, Arizona, Nevada, West Texas, New Mexico)

Bite: FAIR → GOOD

Pattern: PRE-SPAWN→ SPAWN (NV and NM – WINTER)

If you can dodge the heavy rain, you’re in prime position to find bedding bass with the new moon pushing fish shallow. If they’re not on beds yet, they’re close. Keep an eye on all three Bass Forecast seasons in your app. If “Spawn” isn’t producing, switch to Pre‑Spawn, and if that’s dead, try Post‑Spawn to match fish sliding out.

Pre‑Spawn

Baits: Soft jerkbait/stickbait, lipless crank, spybait, Ned rig
Locations: Migration routes, secondary points, transition banks, flats near spawning areas

Spawn

Baits: Jig, shaky head, craw/tube, wacky rig, soft jerkbait/stickbait
Locations: Shallow flats, secondary points, transition banks, nearby flats

Post‑Spawn

Baits: Soft jerkbait/stickbait, suspending jerkbait, worm/creature, drop shot, wacky rig
Locations: Routes leaving spawning areas, points, docks

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Southeast

(Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, East Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky)

Bite: FAIR → GOOD

Pattern: PRE-SPAWN → WINTER

Most of the Southeast is on a solid Pre-Spawn pattern, In some areas, spawning activity will begin. This does not mean that you will see beds everywhere. It just means that males will be starting to scout areas and make beds and big females may be shallower than your think. So, check your Bass Forecast Mobile app daily to monitor the 3 bass seasons in play. If “Spawn” is detected and you are having no luck on that pattern, Select “Pre-Spawn” to see those baits and locations…and if that does not work, select “Post-Spawn” patterns.

Pre‑Spawn

Baits: Soft jerkbait/stickbait, lipless crank, spybait, Ned rig
Locations: Migration routes, secondary points, transition banks, flats near spawning areas

Spawn

Baits: Jig, shaky head, craw/tube, wacky rig, soft jerkbait/stickbait
Locations: Shallow flats, secondary points, transition banks, nearby flat

Rocky Mountains

(Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Utah)

Bite: TOUGH

Pattern: WINTER

Click here for Ice-fishing for bass top tips

Great Plains

(Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Texas Panhandle, South Dakota, North Dakota)

Bite: TOUGH

Pattern: WINTER

Click here for Ice-fishing for bass top tips

Midwest

(Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota)

Bite: TOUGH to FAIR

Pattern: WINTER

With Temperatures creeping up in the southern portions of the Midwest, you may find some early Pre-Spawn fish this weekend. If you can find a lake that has not iced over to fish, then dress warm and hit the water this weekend and fish drop-offs, main lake basins, creek channels and deeper points with suspending jerkbaits, deep diving crankbaits and umbrella rigs first, then comb same areas with Carolina rigs and Ned rigs. If fish are not coming up, try a Spybait, Drop Shot, Jig or Jigging Spoon.

Click here for Ice-fishing for bass top tips

Northeast

(New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, New England)

Bite: TOUGH

Pattern: WINTER

If you love a challenge, dressing up for the cold and ice fishing more than watching football, by all means dress warm and gear up for the challenge with ice-fishing for bass top tips.

Click here for Ice-fishing for bass top tips

Curious about the Bass Forecast Ratings and Adapted Pattern® recommendations for the weekend?

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