Over the last week we have seen a dramatic change in weather with a huge cold front pushing in which sank the water temperatures from low 70’s all the way down into the low 60’s. A big cold front in the fall can absolutely kill a bite, which we saw this week with a couple brutally tough days with the fishing towards the end of the weekend and yesterday picking back up.
Towards the late part of last week and early this week the fishing has definatly improved. Once the post front clear skies and windless days were gone and we were able to get some good clouds and wind the fish turned back on. The same pattern that we were following pre front is still catching fish post front and actually with a few more quality bites then before. Look for wind blown banks where the shad have been pushed up and ditches running across flats in the creeks to find the bigger concentrations of fish with small crankbaits, small spinnerbaits and a jerkbait, being our top producers. Never rule out the shakey head and a small finesse jig when the conditions get tough. The key to fall fishing is finding the bait and if you are not around the bait, you are not going to catch the fish. The creeks and pockets are full of bait right now and the bass are following right behind them but it won’t be long until the bass will begin to pull back off and start thinking about winter. The fishing on Old Hickory this time of year can be absolutely brutal until you are able to dial in but once you do the numbers as well as the quality will be there.
We also hit the river some this week chasing after some brown fish and caught good numbers as well as quality. It is getting in the smallmouth prime water temperatures and the fishing should only get better. Look for current breaks on the river and flip creature style baits. Crankbaits jerkbaits and spinnerbaits have also been catching fish on the river as well.
The best baits for us this week has been a finesse jig, Missile Baits Fuse shakey head, Missile Baits Baby D-Bomb rigged on a shakey head, small crankbait, jerkbait and small spinnerbait.