Warming trend keeps fall shad bite active on Havasu

What anglers are reporting Fresh reports have been hard to come by over the last few weeks, but we are moving right into the classic fall feed. With water temperatures cooling from their summer peak, both largemouth and smallmouth are shifting their focus to shad.

This week's outlook We have a warming trend pushing daytime highs back into the low to mid-80s, with stable, dry conditions. This should keep the water temperatures hovering around the upper 60s to low 70s. Expect bass and stripers to be actively pushing bait toward the surface early and late in the day. The midday bite will likely require slowing down and fishing deeper structure.

Where to start Look for surface activity along the main river channel edges and primary rocky points first thing in the morning. As the sun gets high, transition to the artificial habitat units in 15 to 25 feet of water, or target the deeper chunk-rock banks. If you are after largemouth, check the tule edges and flooded brush in the Bill Williams arm.

Bait box

• Walking topwater baits (bone or clear) for schooling fish
• Medium-diving crankbaits (threadfin shad patterns) for rocky points
• Drop-shot rigs with 4-inch straight-tail worms (natural shad or craw) on 6-pound fluorocarbon
• Suspending jerkbaits for working over submerged brush and habitat

This weekend Saturday brings a stiff north wind around 18 mph, which will make the open water in the south basin choppy. Use the wind to your advantage on wind-blown points with moving baits, or tuck into protected coves. Sunday looks much calmer and warmer, making it a great day to hunt for boils or pick apart the artificial habitat.