Lake Russell Fishing Report October 2013

Russell: Level: 1 foot below full pool. Temp: 78 degrees. Clarity: Clear in most areas, slightly stained in some of the creeks.

Bass: Tournament angler Kerry Partain reports, “The lake seems to be turning over in some areas, but that shouldn’t last long this year because the thermocline never really set up with the cooler water temps. With the cooler mornings, the baitfish are on the move, and you can catch a bunch of smaller spots shallow on a variety of baits. There is some schooling activity in a lot of the timber and in the bigger pockets in the creeks. If you see fish busting the top, you can throw smaller topwater baits, crankbaits or Zoom Super Flukes and catch them. The bigger fish still seem to be out a little deeper in brush and rocks from 15 to 30 feet deep, so keep an eye on your electronics as you fish for the schooling fish. If you see fish suspended or on the bottom in the deeper water, you can catch them on a drop shot or shaky head. You can still catch fish on the Carolina rig in the brush and rocks if you find an area with a big concentration of bass. As the weather continues to cool, I expect the fishing to really pick up as the bass move into the creeks. It will be hard to beat a crankbait as the baitfish transition shallow. The schooling activity should be wide open the next couple of weeks.”