Late fall patterns hold steady before weekend cold front

What anglers are reporting The last solid report from the lake was late September, when the fall transition was just getting started and fish were moving between rocky points and deeper structure. Since then, the water has cooled significantly. We are now in a true late-fall pattern, with bass pushing shad toward the remaining green weed lines and deeper docks.

This week's outlook Air temperatures have been stable with highs near 70 and lows in the upper 40s, which should put water temperatures in the upper 50s to low 60s. This is prime time for the shad migration. Bass will be feeding heavily before the winter chill sets in. Expect them to use the tules and offshore grass edges to ambush bait schools. The bite should be aggressive during low light and steady through the day if you stay on the bait.

Where to start Focus on the deeper edges of the tules and the outside lines of offshore grass in the Upper Arm. If the grass is dying off, shift your attention to rocky points and deeper boat docks in the Lower and Oaks Arms. Use your electronics to find the bait balls. If you see shad flickering near the surface, keep a swimbait or ripbait ready. When the sun gets high, slow down and drag a jig around the rock piles or dock pilings.

Bait box

• Jerkbaits in shad or hitch patterns for working over grass and along tule edges
• Medium diving crankbaits in shad or craw colors to deflect off rocky points
• Swimbaits in the five to seven inch range slow-rolled near deeper docks
• Football jigs in brown and purple for dragging around deep rock and pilings
• Drop shot rigs with finesse worms for when the bite slows down midday

This weekend A significant cold front arrives Saturday, dropping daytime highs into the mid-50s and bringing rain through Sunday. Friday will offer a strong pre-front feeding window. Once the temperature drops on Saturday, the bite will tighten up. Fish fast and cover water on Friday, then slow down and drag jigs or drop shots around deep rock and docks through the weekend rain.