Water Level: 199.65 | Water Temperature: 74.1˚
Weather: 67˚ | Slight Chance Rain Showers | Winds: 7 mph
1. Largemouth Bass: Focus on creek channels and main river points with 4-10 feet depths. Use crankbaits in shad and silver colors, plastic worms, and jig ‘n pig presentations around rocks, stumps, and dying hydrilla beds. Early morning and late evening topwater action is productive in back coves with leaf cover—try Baby Chug Bugs, Zoom Horny Toads, and Pop-Rs.
2. Striped Bass: Fish suspended in 16-20 feet of water along the main river channel. Trolling bucktails and Cordell Hot Spots remains effective. Live bait around the Route 85 Bridge to Gaston Dam also yields good results.
3. Crappie: Excellent action near brushpiles and submerged structures in 12-14 feet of water. Small minnows fished slowly are the preferred bait, especially in back ends of creeks with Eurasian Milfoil.
This week’s slightly cooler temperatures combined with a slight chance of rain and moderate winds are creating favorable conditions for active fish. Focus your efforts on creek channels and submerged structures where baitfish are congregating. The transition into fall is encouraging bass to stage around grass edges and rocks, while stripers remain suspended mid-depth. Crappie anglers should target deeper brushpiles for steady catches. Overall, persistence with multiple bait types and fishing times will pay off—get out and enjoy the varied fall action on Lake Gaston!
