Texas bass settle into the fall feeding pattern

What's biting

What's next

Expect the bite to improve as nights cool and baitfish continue migrating toward creek mouths and coves. Tactical Bassin points to jerkbaits and bladed swimbaits as strong fall choices when bass are chasing shad, and notes that adding an underspin blade gives extra flash and vibration. If a front moves through, bass typically stack up on bait, so watch for surface activity and birds.

Plan around low-light windows at dawn and dusk, when baitfish are most exposed. With the moon waxing gibbous, expect decent feeding activity into the evening hours. Fish the shallow ends of creeks first, then slide deeper if the schools move out. Check local forecasts for wind, since a steady breeze often helps the bite on moving baits.

Context

Late October is typically the start of a long fall and winter run for Texas bass. Wired 2 Fish notes that southern states fish open water comfortably all winter, and that the productive season really starts brewing in fall. Water temperatures in the mid-70s are on the warm side for the season, so expect a gradual shift rather than a sudden switch. Fish are typically following bait into creek channels and shallow cover, a pattern that tends to hold through November as temperatures keep dropping.