Smallmouth will be more active first since they are more of a cold water fish. When the water temp. gets to 56 to 64 degress the largemouth will start sponging , in anywere from 10 foot and in , smallies alittle colder and sometimes deeper depending on water clarety. You can catch both all year round just go slow moving bait when water is cold . When going out in the spring and the water is cool fish dirty water ( it warms up faster ) rock piles , concrete walls or any other object that will gather heat to warm the water faster. Jigs , stickbaits , worms and crankbaits are good , then as water warms use spinnerbaits and lipeless crankbaits. Top water starts around 56 degrees. This is just a starting point for you , remember bass don't always play by the rules so you can catch one on anything anytime of the year !! P.S. Bass season is open all year round in New York for catch and release till regular season opens. Alway check regulations because some lake are closed except regular season and open early ( Lake Erie ) for special season.