Toledo Bend and Rayburn bass settle into the fall feed

What's biting

What's next

Expect the fall bite to hold as nights keep cooling. Tactical Bassin points to bass chasing baitfish this time of year, and recommends adding a blade to a swimbait for flash and vibration. A jerkbait is another fall option the same source covers in depth. Gauge readings from 72°F to 77°F suggest water is still warm enough for fish to roam shallow and feed through the day, so plan on mornings and late afternoons in creek mouths and coves where baitfish gather.

The First Quarter moon puts decent light in the evening hours. Fish tend to feed on the move around moon-up periods, so an evening session is worth planning. If a front pushes through and drops temperatures further, bass typically follow baitfish deeper into creeks and coves, so keep covering water with moving baits before slowing down.

Context

Mid-October is typically the heart of the fall transition for East Texas reservoirs. Surface water is still in the 70s, but cooling nights start pulling baitfish toward the backs of creeks, and bass follow. Fall is often described as a favorite stretch of the year for bass anglers, second only to spring, because fish are catchable on a wide range of lures. Hunting season pulls many anglers off the water this month, so lake pressure can ease on weekdays.