Cooling temps push Seminole bass to grass edges and creek mouths

What anglers are reporting The last solid report was mid-October, when cooling water had bass schooling and hitting topwater baits as they chased shad. Since then, we have had a stretch of warm weather, but a cold front pushing through today is going to change the landscape and get fish moving into their late-fall patterns.

This week's outlook With highs dropping from the 80s into the low 70s and overnight lows in the 50s, expect water temperatures to fall into the upper 60s. This cooling trend will pull more threadfin and gizzard shad into the river channels and Spring Creek. Bass will follow, setting up on the deeper hydrilla edges and grass points to ambush bait. The topwater bite should still be in play, especially on warmer afternoons, but moving baits will become your primary search tools.

Where to start Focus on the mouths of creeks and the main river channel swings in the Chattahoochee and Flint arms. Look for points in the hydrilla and eelgrass where bait is flickering. Spring Creek is always a draw this time of year for its clearer water and healthy grass lines. If the post-front bluebird skies push fish down, target the deeper edges of the grass mats or punch the thicker cover.

Bait box

• Walking topwater baits (bone or chrome)
• White or shad-pattern swim jigs (3/8 oz)
• Willow leaf spinnerbaits (white/chartreuse)
• Lipless crankbaits (chrome/blue)
• Heavy punch rigs with creature baits (green pumpkin)

This weekend Saturday brings post-front conditions with highs in the low 70s, clear skies, and a moderate north wind. The bite might start slow, so keep a punch rig handy for fish tucked tight into the hydrilla. By Sunday, the wind lays down and temperatures stabilize, which should open up the swim jig and spinnerbait bite along the grass edges. Keep an eye on the weather for next week, as a stronger front is lined up for Thursday.