Fall shad push into creeks as heavy rain approaches

What anglers are reporting The last solid report was late February, so we are relying on seasonal patterns and current weather. With recent rains and mild fall temperatures, water clarity should be slightly stained, especially near the creek mouths.

This week's outlook Fall feeding behavior should be in full swing. Threadfin and gizzard shad push toward the backs of Bull Creek and Bee Creek this time of year. Bass will follow them, setting up on the outside edges of watermilfoil and pondweed beds to ambush bait. If the LCRA is generating water through Mansfield Dam, expect fish to position tightly on the up-current side of grass points and dock corners.

Where to start Focus on the grass lines and docks between the 360 bridge and Tom Miller Dam. Look for healthy green milfoil edges in five to twelve feet of water. Early in the morning, work the grass flats and creek mouths. As the sun gets higher, shift to skipping the shaded sections of boat docks or dragging the limestone bluff walls where current sweeps past.

Bait box

• White or shad pattern bladed jig for ripping through milfoil tops
• Walking topwater bait for early morning schooling action near creek mouths
• White swim jig to work through thicker pondweed beds
• Texas-rigged creature bait in green pumpkin for pitching to dock posts

This weekend Saturday offers a strong pre-front window with south winds and highs in the upper 70s, which should trigger an active bite over the grass. Sunday brings a significant weather change with nearly three inches of rain forecast and dropping temperatures. If you fish Sunday, prepare for heavy runoff and target the deeper edges of the grass or the bluff walls where the water might remain slightly more stable.