Hill Country bass settle into the fall transition

What's biting

What's next

Expect the cooling trend to keep pushing baitfish toward creek arms and secondary points. Bass that follow them should stay willing to chase, so moving baits like jerkbaits, paddle tails on an underspin or a bladed swim jig, per Tactical Bassin and Fishing the Midwest, are worth leading with. Cold fronts are the main swing factor. The first few days after one typically tighten the bite and slide fish a little deeper, then it rebounds as the water settles.

Plan the best windows around dawn and the last two hours of daylight, when baitfish are most active near cover. The waxing gibbous moon gives some evening light, so a late bite is worth staying for. Flow at gauge 08158000 is 252 cfs, which suggests moving water downstream of the lakes, while gauge 08155500 is barely running at 19 cfs. Check conditions at your ramp before launching.

Context

Late October is on schedule for the Texas fall transition. Surface water that held in the upper 70s through summer is easing into the low 70s, which is when largemouth typically leave deep summer haunts and follow shad into the shallows. Wired 2 Fish points out that the Deep South, parts of Texas included, fishes open water comfortably all winter, so this stretch is the start of a long productive season rather than a short fall flurry. Fishing pressure usually drops as hunting season opens, which often leaves more room on the water midweek.