Fall Weather Morning/Afternoon Bite?

[Seth Clarkson]

I had a pretty poor day. 3 bass total and all tiny. We started back in the pockets and maybe that was our mistake. It was too windy for us to stand in the main lake as the day went on so may have missed our window. Threw a buzzbait, whopper plopper, spook, spinnerbait, chatterbait, swimbait, dark sleeper, Texas rig beaver, and a tube. Most all of what we fished were not steep banks due to the wind, but we did try docks, interior points, trees, gravel, lots of different areas. I think it was the fact that we missed the steep banks, but not sure. Saw water temps between 66 and 69 and saw a decent amount of bait fishing the lower end up to the dam, just didn't get it put together. Here's 1 of the 3 caught for giggles. 

[m&m]

Seth, we’ve all had days like that. 

Mike

[Seth Clarkson]

14 minutes ago, m&m said:

Seth, we’ve all had days like that. 

Mike

Thanks Mike, not sure why but I just seem to do much better on Bull Shoals (by comparison anyway not by most standards). May have something to do with water clarity I guess, otherwise you would think the timing and location would even out. 

[Royal Blue]

2 hours ago, Seth Clarkson said:

Thanks Mike, not sure why but I just seem to do much better on Bull Shoals (by comparison anyway not by most standards). May have something to do with water clarity I guess, otherwise you would think the timing and location would even out. 

What part of the lake are you fishing?

[Seth Clarkson]

52 minutes ago, Royal Blue said:

What part of the lake are you fishing?

This time was at the dam and lower, but more times than not I usually fish Cape Fair and up into James which I know the water clarity up there is more like Bull. I typically do better up there than by the dam, but still not as well as I do at Bull.  

[Royal Blue]

1 hour ago, Seth Clarkson said:

This time was at the dam and lower, but more times than not I usually fish Cape Fair and up into James which I know the water clarity up there is more like Bull. I typically do better up there than by the dam, but still not as well as I do at Bull.  

They're just two really different animals as far as the fishing pressure goes.  With Bull as high as it's been all year, I haven't fished it hardly at all.  Normal years I'd be there 1-2 times a week and to me, the size of my average fish is a lot bigger.  I think it's because they're just flat out not getting fished for as hard. 

Table Rock for me has fished much more difficultly this year than in years past.  I think it's been hammered.  I have plenty of luck catching keepers, but I'd say the biggest I've had all year on TR was 4 1/2 lbs and it was in March.  Don't let it get you down and cover a ton of water when it's tough.  You'll have more success.

[Fish24/7]

Seth,it might still be the Summer to Fall transition time there idk, Water temps you posted are approaching  prime time, though, always a tough nut to crack because bass can be scattered at so many different depths now imo.

 been catching largemouth flipping in the bushes on Bull .Shallow 1-5' on beavers and rodents. Points have been the best spots . I've seen bass cruising so shallow I swear it's barely a foot deep where they are at in the buck brush.  Nice ones too, 2lb + but they are so spooky if they see ya they  freak out. Usually in groups of 5 to 7. Bull largemouth will stay in the bush as  long as they can.

I've been anchoring so I don't bang into the bushes or make noise with the trolling motor. Some bites were literally  right beside the boat and I can see the bottom.

[Royal Blue]

I believe that.  On the upper end they'll stay in the brush all year long sometimes.  

[Quillback]

17 hours ago, Royal Blue said:

 I think it's been hammered.  

Man you aren't kidding, tons of pressure.  

October has always been a funky month for me on this lake, I don't have any answers, except to go out and fish and enjoy the fish I catch, even if I don't catch that many.