March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year. Whether your excitement comes from college hoops matchups, tournament upsets and buzzer-beaters, or hook-sets into monster largemouth bass, this particular month is a prelude to spring. Both occupy my entire month in entertaining fashion. In Midwestern locations where mild winters are common, and ice melt is mostly nonexistent, March Madness is when serious fishermen get ready for the very best our sport has to offer. Early opportunities for targeting pre-spawn largemouths are available. Trophy class bass awaken from their winter slumber to feed frantically in preparation for the spawn. On the right waters, these pre-spawn fish can provide the fishing of a lifetime. There is a real feeling of anticipation during this time of year that is unmatched at any other time of the year.   Setting the Scene Our recent winter seasons across the Midwest have been mild. The ice belt isn’t what it once was, with early melts and our open water fishing starting earlier than usual. Anglers across Northern Illinois, Iowa, and the southern half of Wisconsin have been able to start their open water fishing seasons ea