Quote Originally Posted by Owskiwoski View Post
I need some tips. How are the bass reacting to these cold mornings? Are they aggressive or does the bite pick up later in the day? I know there is some rain and a cold front coming. Will the bass move up with the rising water or get lock jaw with the cold front?
This time of year the water temps are more important than air temps. It can be 20 degrees outside but the water can be mid 60's or above. In the fall fish move shallow following the shad and baitfish. They stage on points on the creeks primary and secondary and will eventually follow the shad back in the backs of the creeks seeking the warmer water as winter approaches. It can be a guessing game as to where the fish are in their transition period this time of year so start main lake points and work your way back, again all pending water temps. Most bass are now looking up to feed so topwaters early and late in the day will get you some good fish especially if baitfish are present and high in the water column. When the sun gets high this bite will tail off and fish will go down but usually not far. Go to windy banks if wind is present and fish spinnerbaits and cranks. Don't fish below the fish, in other words keep your baits fairly high, they will come up and get it. If the water is slick and no wind present fish small plastics and swim jigs back to the boat. Also the jerkbaits, soft and hard can be lethal this time of year. Experimentation is the key but be ready for those jumps that can occur at any time of day with a top walker you can throw a mile as Kentuckies, largemouth, and brown bass will herd baitfish to the top and smash them at any given time so be ready, always be looking around and keep your ears tuned in. Of course a potent cold front with east winds and high pressure can ruin everything I just said but hey that's just fishing. Good luck and be safe.