prime time for me in years past usually has been the last week of Feb, 1st week of March, if/when the water first begins to warm into the upper 40s, low 50s, and preferably stained enough you can't see a crankbait past 1-2 feet. Spinnerbaits work well also, and jerkbaits if the water is clearer. I've caught lots of nice smallmouth during those times right against the banks in 2 to 5 feet of water.

Don't shy away from fishing murky water with less than 1 ft visibility. I had one of my better days with 8-10 big smallmouth there one time, when you couldn't see a bright red crankbait 3 inches under the water. I had a boat ease over to me and ask how I was doing that day, and I know he felt I was lying when I told him what I had caught. He said "IN THIS MUDDY WATER??"