Intro

Fall has finally arrived in Dallas. After an unseasonably warm October, the first cool fronts made it to north Texas and the fish are happy! The lakes are beginning to clear after the yearly turnover stalled last month. The stained conditions made October fishing tough and coupled with a high pressure system that stalled, most of the month was slow fishing.

Water temps are starting to fall back into the 70’s and the cooler temps are making the water clean up. The cleaner water is helping fish to see flies and we should have great fishing the next few weeks. 

Our hot picks for this month are any place with bass. Right now the fish know winter is coming and they’re going into feeding mode. Bass will start schooling in more open water as they corral schools of shad. Expect more action in the afternoons as the cool overnight temps will cause water temps to drop and push bait off the bank. The panfish will also get a late start as they generally stay close to cover in the mornings and start to move around as the sun rises.

November Guide Special

This month we’re offering a special rate for our trips on the lakes of Private Water Fishing. 1/2 day trips are $375 for 1 angler or $450 for two anglers. If you’ve been wanting to find out what it’s like to fish private bass lakes or looking for a quick getaway, reach out to Sean at the shop.

Contact Sean for Availability HERE or give us a call at the shop (214) 219-2500

Saltwater action

If you’re looking to get salty, the Texas and Louisiana coast will be hotspots for redfish the next few months. Cooler temps on the flats will draw in reds and jacks will be corralling bait in the deeper channels and cuts. The Woodlands Plantation in Port Sulpher, LA is an awesome spot to chase reds and enjoy some great food. This spot is so popular that most of the winter is already booked, but there are some dates still available this month. If you’d like some more info or available dates, please reach out to our travel department.

Lake and river reports

Private Water Fishing Properties

Lakes are in great shape and fishing extremely well. Lots of bigger bass being caught as water temps cool and water clears. This is the time of year that flies can be very productive as fish move into shallow water chasing baitfish. Fast moving streamers are working really well on windy days, while topwaters can still be effective on warmer afternoons.

Lake Fork

• 81 Degrees
• - 2.41 feet

Topwater action is good in the mornings, especially around grass. Streamers have been consistent in 4-6 feet of water on points and flats. Look for schooling action as schools of shad move to the back of creeks.

We’ll be offering some Lake Fork trips this fall. Prime time will be October/early November. Contact Sean Polk for availability.

Lake Texoma

• 68 Degrees
• -2.45 feet

There is still some turnover, but it should clear with recent rains and cooler temps. Stripers are good on topwaters at dawn and cloudy days. The gulls have arrived and are showing where the fish are. Bass fishing is picking up and should improve along rocky shorelines and main points.

Cedar Creek

• 72 Degrees
• -3.28 feet

Dock lights are still hot for hybrids, sandies, and largemouth. Expect fishing to stay consistent until December. Birds are showing up and showing schools of fish. Expect good daytime fishing for sandies and hybrids by following the bait.

Gear spotlight

YETI Sidekick

When you’re on the water and need to keep your kit dry, the Yeti Sidekick makes a handy pouch to keep loose items organized and within reach. Built with a tough outer shell and a strong watertight closure, the Sidekick keeps your valuables safe from the elements. Built in velcro straps allow you to attach the Sidekick to Yeti Hopper Coolers and Carryall Totes. The included belt loops make it easy to turn the Sidekick into a hip pack for fishing. 

We love using ours for camera bags and waist packs. The 1 liter size is perfect for a cell phone, wallet, and keys. The 3 liter size holds a small frame camera and an additional lens. It also works well as a waist pack when wading the flats. Stuff a Cliff Bugger barn, some spools of tippet, and your phone and you can leave the skiff behind. 

The 6 liter works as a dry bag for a full frame camera. It can also hold several fly boxes, a beer, split shot, indicators, and anything else you need for a day on a drift boat. 

November Fly Recommendations

This month we’re using shad and panfish imitations for most of our fishing. Carry a a couple of flies with lead eyes and few without weight to fish the top 4 feet of the water. Clousers are always a safe bet, but we really like Gamechangers and Deceiver style flies to achieve a little more realism.

Fly of the Month

Rattlin' Rabbit

This month’s fly is a deadly bass fly that combines everything bass like. It has a long zonker tail, flash, legs, and a rattle. Tied on a 2/0 stinger hook, you’ll likely need an 8 weight to cast it. We like to throw it on a sink tip tight to the bank and the strip and let it sink. It works well fished like a jig or Texas rig. 

You can omit the rattle and drop it down to a 2 or 4 size hook for better castability.

Join us for our next Dallas Tyers Club on November 20 at 6:30 PM.