Fall transition pushes bass to shallow wood and gravel points

What anglers are reporting Late October reports showed water temperatures around 64 degrees with clear conditions and the lake near winter pool at 354.7 feet. The bite was fair, with fish taking topwaters, suspending jerkbaits, and spinnerbaits around shallow stickups. Anglers also found smallmouth and largemouth by running crankbaits and lipless baits over gravel points, riprap, and main-lake sandbars where shad were schooling.

This week's outlook Following recent cold fronts and overnight lows in the 30s, expect water temperatures to have fallen into the upper 50s. The lake is at winter pool, making flats extremely shallow and channel markers critical. Bass should be feeding on threadfin and gizzard shad pushing into the creeks. A massive front arrives Thursday with heavy rain, a 20-degree temperature drop, and north winds near 30 mph. The pre-front feeding window on Tuesday and Wednesday should be intense.

Where to start Focus on secondary creek channels and the last standing cover in the bays. Bass will use creek channel drops as highways to ambush shad. Target gravel points, riprap banks, and roadbeds near creek mouths. If TVA is pulling water, check main-river ledges and shell beds where current positions the fish.

Bait box

• Suspending jerkbaits for clear water
• Square-bill crankbaits for shallow wood
• Spinnerbaits for windy points
• Lipless crankbaits over gravel and sandbars
• Flipping jigs for deep stake beds

This weekend Saturday and Sunday offer the most stable conditions of the week, with highs near 60 and light winds. The bite will likely start slow in the morning chill, so wait for the sun to warm the shallow wood and rock before committing to reaction baits. Plan your week around the severe weather arriving Thursday.