(Sep. 20, 2010 - Lake Palestine, TX)
Fishing in October has always been good in the past years and this year won't be an exception. At this time we are a bit low but fishing is good. I have had several fisherman calling to ask is Lake Palestine safe to run on when it gets down low like it is now, is fishing any good and how do I catch them when it drops like it has been.
My reply to them is yes it is safe to run but you do need to take extra caution in the areas where you have timber showing and be sure you stay in the boat lanes. My reply to fishing is that fishing is good and next to spring time fishing I think that fishing in October can be some of the best fishing of the year.
Bass can be found in many areas of the lake in October. You can find them out on your main lake points, back in your main lake coves and all the way back in your creeks where you have nothing but creek channel to fish. Bass can be caught on several types of lures when fishing these type locations. When fishing back in your creeks you will find timber, grass or weeds and here are a few of my favorite lures to fish. First if I'm fishing early where there is grass I will fish a frog or rat type lure. I will cast it up over the grass and work it back with a slow retrieve and slowing it down even more when the lure gets near a hole in the grass which can be a very likely spot for a big bass to hang out waiting for a bug or frog to fall into. Another way I will fish this type area is to fish a Shimmy Shaker Lure along the outside edges of the grass with a steady retrieve this will really catch some nice bass. Last I will fish a jig n pig along the creek channel itself working the points and brush I find in these areas.
When I fish the main lake points and the main lake pockets I will fish a Texas rigged worm, Shimmy Shaker, Carolina rig or a small crank bait. I will work the shallows early and the deeper water as the day go's on. I will fish slow and this will get me more bites which means more fish.
Now bass are not all that you can find in October, Crappie fishing can be great. You can find the crappie moving back up on brush piles in the 12 to 18 foot range and if you like fishing deep water for them you will find fishing under the 155 bridge to be great. You can find crappie biting one day on jigs and the next day on small minnows but jigs are my favorite way of fishing for crappie. You can find many types of jigs on the market today but the one I call my favorite is the Mr. Minnow by Mister Twister Lures. This jig can be purchased in a variety of colors, but my favorites are the goby green and the white and I always put just a touch of chartreuse on the tails and tip my hook with a crappie nibble.
Now I have mentioned several ways that I fish and locate my fish in October and how I have caught them in the past and now here is what I am doing now to find my bass and crappie.
Bass are good at this time up north where you find the grass mats early and late. The best lures will be the frog type lures and my Shimmy Shakers. As the day go's on you can find bass doing well on your main lake points down south on Carolina rigs and crank baits.
Crappie are doing good under the 155 road way fishing the pilers with white Mr. Minnow jigs down as deep as 24 foot.
Catfish are picking up now on punch baits and chicken liver.
Fish slow and you can be the winner when you go home.
Until next time remember to keep only the fish you can use and release the rest for another day and take a kid fishing when you can and you will be blessed for ever.
