Stable fall weather keeps the shad bite steady on Havasu

What anglers are reporting The last solid report was over a month ago, but the steady weather and seasonal trends give us a clear picture of what to expect right now.

This week's outlook With daytime highs holding in the low 80s and nights in the 60s, expect water temperatures to be hovering around the upper 60s to low 70s. This stable, warm fall weather should keep the shad active and moving along the river channel and into the coves. Look for both largemouth and smallmouth to be pushing bait toward the surface early and late in the day, with stripers joining the mix when the shad schools get tight.

Where to start Focus your early mornings on rocky points and chunk rock banks where the river channel swings close. Keep an eye out for surface activity. As the sun gets up, transition to the artificial habitat units in 15 to 25 feet of water, or work the tule edges in the Bill Williams arm if you are targeting largemouth.

Bait box

• Walking topwater baits in bone or clear
• Medium-diving crankbaits in shad patterns
• Suspending jerkbaits in translucent shad
• Drop-shot rigs with natural shad or craw worms
• Small swimbaits on a ball head

This weekend The weekend forecast shows steady temperatures and light winds. Without a front to shake things up, the bite should remain consistent. Get out early for the topwater window, then rely on your electronics to find bait balls and artificial structure as the day warms up.