Fall transition pushes bass into creeks and grass

Recent on-the-water reports for Chickamauga are very thin right now, with our last solid updates dating back to the summer ledge bite. Back then, anglers were finding fish in fifteen to thirty-five feet of water on main river ledges and points around Shellmound, Harrison Bay, and Upper Soddy Creek using drop shots and wacky-rigged stick worms.<br><br>Since we are now in early November, you can safely leave those deep summer patterns behind and lean on the typical fall transition for this section of the Tennessee River. The seasonal norm for this month involves baitfish migrating heavily into the creeks and remaining hydrilla or milfoil beds. Bass will follow these schools of gizzard and threadfin shad shallow, moving away from the main channel drops. The upper riverine section and the lower sluggish sloughs will both see fish pushing shallower to feed before winter sets in.<br><br>For this weekend, try covering water in the creeks and along grass edges with spinnerbaits, squarebill crankbaits, and topwater lures. Keep moving until you locate the bait, as the bass will not be far behind.