Stable fall weather pushes Rayburn bass into the creeks

What anglers are reporting The last solid reports out of Rayburn were from late February, so we are relying on seasonal patterns and current weather to break down the lake right now. Without recent chatter on water levels or clarity, the focus shifts entirely to the fall transition.

This week's outlook We are deep into the fall feed. With daytime highs holding steady in the mid-70s and nights in the 50s, expect water temperatures to be hovering around the upper 60s to low 70s. This stable, mild weather means the shad push into the creeks should be in full swing. Bass will be scattered but actively feeding, following the bait migration off the main lake and into the drains.

Where to start Focus your search on the creeks and secondary points. Look for the clean outside edges of hydrilla flats and grass points near channel swings. If you are fishing the upper third above the Highway 147 bridge, target standing timber and laydowns where shad might be schooling. Keep your electronics on to find the bait. If you find the shad, the bass will be close by.

Bait box

• Squarebill crankbaits (shad patterns for shallow wood)
• Spinnerbaits (white with willow blades for grass edges)
• Lipless crankbaits (chrome and blue for ripping hydrilla)
• Chatterbaits (white or green pumpkin)
• Texas-rigged creature baits (pitching to isolated cover)

This weekend The weekend forecast looks very stable, with highs in the mid-70s and light winds out of the south and southeast. Without a front to shut down the bite, expect a consistent feeding window throughout the day. Cover water quickly with moving baits to locate active schools, then slow down with a Texas rig if you find a concentration of fish holding tight to grass edges or wood.