Shad push into creeks as fall patterns take hold on Grand

What anglers are reporting

We do not have fresh reports from the water this week, but the fall transition is well underway across the lake. The recent inch of rain and cooling nights have set up a classic autumn bite, with water temperatures steadily dropping into the seasonal sweet spot.

This week's outlook

Expect bass to be following threadfin and gizzard shad as they migrate up into the creeks. The warming trend early in the week will keep fish active and feeding shallow. A front pushes through on Thursday, dropping daytime highs into the 50s and bringing stiff north winds. This will likely push bass tighter to cover and slow the reaction bite down for a day or two before conditions stabilize over the weekend.

Where to start

Look for active fish on secondary rock and gravel points leading into major creeks like Honey, Duck, and Drowning Creek. Docks are always a dominant pattern here, so focus on skipping baits to shade lines, brush piles, and cable posts in 5 to 15 feet of water. When the wind picks up, especially ahead of the front on Wednesday, transition to wind-blown rocky points and riprap to intercept feeding fish.

Bait box

• Squarebill crankbaits in natural shad patterns
• Heavy willow-leaf spinnerbaits for windy rocky points
• Flipping jigs in green pumpkin or brown
• Soft plastic creature baits for skipping under docks
• Suspending jerkbaits for deeper dock ends

This weekend

Friday brings post-front bluebird conditions and a chilly morning, so expect a tighter bite. Slow down and drag jigs around deeper dock ends or channel-swing bluffs in 15 to 20 feet. By Sunday, a warming trend and south wind should fire up the shallow reaction bite again, making it a good time to cover water in the backs of coves with a squarebill or spinnerbait.