Cooling water and rain push Falcon bass to fall brush

What anglers are reporting The last solid report from late October indicated an outstanding bite for both size and numbers across the lake. Anglers were finding dependable action and quality fish as the fall transition took hold.

This week's outlook A significant weather shift is arriving with several days of rain and a cooling trend pushing daytime highs down into the 70s. Expect water temperatures to drop into the low 70s or upper 60s. This cooling water should pull more bass out of their summer haunts and onto rocky points and flooded brush in 8 to 15 feet of water to feed heavily on shad and tilapia.

Where to start Focus your efforts on the first drop-offs outside of spawning flats and rocky points near the main river channel. Flooded huisache and mesquite brush lines in 8 to 15 feet are prime targets right now. Use heavy braid and stout gear to pull fish out of the thorny cover. If the bite slows, back out to deeper rock piles and old creek channel bends.

Bait box

• Medium to deep-diving crankbaits in shad or tilapia patterns
• Heavy football jigs in green pumpkin or brown
• Big Texas-rigged plastic worms in dark colors
• Spinnerbaits with willow blades for working brush edges
• Swimbaits to cover water along the first drop

This weekend Expect wet conditions with rain continuing through Sunday and northwest winds around 10 mph. The heavy cloud cover and rain should keep bass active and roaming slightly shallower than usual. Take advantage of the low-pressure conditions by covering water with moving baits along the brush lines before a stronger front arrives late next week.