Fall shad migration drives the bite ahead of Thursday's cold front

What anglers are reporting There have been no solid reports from the water over the last few weeks, but the fall transition is in full swing. Water temperatures should be hovering in the low 60s, and cooling nights are pushing shad further back into the major creek arms.

This week's outlook Expect bass to be actively feeding on those migrating shad schools. With a cold front arriving Thursday, the early part of the week offers a prime pre-front feeding window. Look for largemouth in the stained upper arms like the James and Kings, while smallmouth and spotted bass will be roaming gravel points and chunk rock banks on the clearer lower end.

Where to start Focus on secondary points, channel swings, and the backs of creeks where bait is present. Keep an eye on your electronics to locate shad balls. Early mornings should yield a topwater bite on long points, transitioning to a jig or spoon bite around brush piles and standing timber as the sun gets high.

Bait box

• Walking topwater baits (bone or clear)
• White spinnerbaits (willow blades for clear water)
• Jigging spoons (silver, 1/2 to 3/4 oz)
• Finesse jigs (crawfish patterns, 3/8 oz)
• Ned rigs (green pumpkin, 6- to 8-pound fluorocarbon)

This weekend Thursday brings a significant temperature drop and northwest winds, which will likely slow the bite by Friday and Saturday. Post-front, expect bluebird skies and tighter fish. Downsize your presentations to Ned rigs or drop shots, and target deeper brush piles or bluff walls where bass retreat to stabilize. By Sunday, a warming trend with south winds should get the fish moving again.