Why Fall Delivers
The Second-Best Season
Fall is the South Bay's most underrated fishing season. Summer crowds are gone, the heat breaks, water temperatures drop back into the comfortable 60–70°F range, and every species that spent summer hiding in the depths comes back to the shallows to feed aggressively before winter. This is the feed-up bite — fish gorging on shad, bluegill, and crawfish before the cold slows their metabolism.
Bass fishing in fall can be spectacular. Fish that were lethargic in the summer heat become opportunistic hunters. Reaction baits — crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and chatterbaits retrieved parallel to shore — excel because bass are willing to chase. Watch for surface activity: schooling bass busting bait near the surface is a fall phenomenon that makes for heart-pounding fishing.
Note for Coyote Lake anglers: the boat ramp closes in mid-October. Plan your boating trips for early September and October to maximize time on the water before the seasonal closure.
Fall Tactics
What's Working
Parallel to shore, deflecting off rocks and structure. Medium-diving crankbaits in shad and crawfish colors are deadly.
A proven fall bait. Slow roll or fast retrieve near weed edges and rocky banks. Willow or Colorado blade depending on clarity.
Excellent search bait. Cover water quickly and trigger reaction strikes from aggressive fall bass.
Watch the surface for schooling bass chasing shad. Cast a topwater or swimbait into the middle of the boil immediately.
Fall crappie move shallower again. Small jigs near brush piles and coves produce excellent numbers in September–October.
Catfish remain active through October. Night bite is still productive on warm evenings. Get it in before temperatures drop.
Best Spots in Fall
Where to Go
Target Species
What to Fish For
