🎣 Active Patterns & Hot Species

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• Black Bass (Largemouth, Smallmouth, Spotted): The transition to fall has bass actively chasing baitfish. On bright, clear days, target the deeper channel waters and flat points tapering off into 15-to-40-foot drops using nightcrawlers or split-shot rigs. Smallmouth and spotted bass are responding well to deep vertical bites and spoons, while largemouth are starting to wander into the backs of coves and secondary points as shad move shallow. 

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• Crappie: Numbers are steadily increasing with the cooling water. Your best bet is to target standing timber and deep brush piles in major tributaries like the James River Arm, Long Creek, and Kings River. 

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• Walleye & Trout: Anglers are finding a strong walleye bite along deep gravel drops. Meanwhile, exceptional trophy German brown and rainbow trout (up to 23 inches) are being landed near Scotty's Trout Dock using spoons.

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Navigational Caution:

With current water levels, several shallow rock shoals, gravel bars, and submerged islands are running shallow. Swing wide when rounding main-lake points.