Lake Jackson Fishing Report October 2015

Jackson: Temp: High 70s. Clarity: Slightly stained main lake, stained up South and Yellow rivers.

The fishing is finally starting to pick up at Jackson as the water temperature begins to drop. It is in the high 70s now but could be in the 60s by the end of the month with cooler temps and rainfall. The shad should start moving up into the pockets and creeks as the water cools and the bass will be close behind. I would suggest starting on tapering and/or rocky points close to these long coves and pockets and working your way back. Concentrate on docks and blowdowns once you move into the pockets, especially as the month progresses. Begin your morning with Pop-Rs, Spooks and buzzbaits. Work them on the shallow flat points around the seawalls, and then make multiple casts around cover in the pockets. On overcast days, look for spots schooling on top around bait in the same areas, and you may catch some linesides mixed in. Flipping jigs around the cover or worms on SpotStickers can work as well.  My go to baits once the fish move into the pockets are 1/4-oz. double willowleaf spinnerbaits, Bandit 200 crankbaits and Shad Raps. The fish are often scattered in the coves and pockets later in the month chasing these schools of bait, and any of these will work on these roaming fish. Stick with shad patterns if the water is clear or chartreuse if stained. On sunny days, look for fish schooled up in the middle of these pockets, and fish with a drop shot or a 1/2-oz. jigging spoon, especially toward November as the water gets cool.