Technique to use in October Indiana reservoir?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

**October pattern for Indiana reservoirs? Here’s a practical, all-around approach you can trust when fall turns the water cool and the fish start migrating to ledges and structure.** 🎣

**Primary pattern (bass-focused, but covers walleye edges too): fall transition along points, ledges, and weedlines.** In early fall, bait and suspending fish move to slightly deeper structure. Your best days will come from dialing in a mid-depth presentation and letting action lure do the work.

- **Lure mix for October**: Lipless crankbaits on shallower flats and weed edges, a jerkbait for active fish near shallow cover, and a segmented swimbait or drop-shot for finesse bites when fish are finicky. If you’re targeting walleye, have a jigging presentation ready on mid-depth shelves.
- **Key depths to scout**: 6–12 feet on points and creek channels that feed into flats; also check weedlines and submerged timber around mid-late fall transition. If the water is clearer, stay shallower; if it’s murkier or windier, push deeper to find the warmer, bait-rich zones.
- **Tactics by bite window**:
  - Early morning/late afternoon: work a fast, rhythmic lipless crank or a small squarebill across points and along weed edges. Pause to let the lure fall, then rip it again to trigger reaction bites.
  - Midday/overcast days (like our current weather snapshot: 59.5°F, Cloudy, light wind): switch to a mid-depth presentation. A jerkbait or a segmented swimbait slowly rolled along the strike zone can coax suspended fish out of cover.
  - When you find active fish: switch to a slower lure like a drop-shot or a small swimbait using a light line-lead setup to coax finicky bites.

**Gear setup (easy to adapt):**
- Rods: 7’0”–7’6” medium-heavy for lipless/jerkbait; a second rod, 7’0” or 7’2” medium for swimbaits or drop-shot.
- Reels/line: 15–20 lb fluorocarbon leader with 20–50 lb braid on the main line for clean retrieves and to handle cover; adjust to target species and wind.
- Terminal tackle: lipless crankbaits (3/8–1/2 oz), jerkbaits (8–12 ft dives), 4–5 inch swimbaits, small drop-shot hooks, and light jigheads for finesse presentations.

**Suggested approach by scenario**
- If you’re after bass: start shallow on early points with lipless crankbait, then transition to a half-ounce lipless or a 110-style jerkbait as you scan deeper structure. If fish go quiet, drop to 8–12 ft with a swimbait or drop-shot near brush.
- If walleyes are present: use a mid-depth jigging rig or a slow-rolling swimbait near ledges or timber edges around 10–20 ft and jigging spoons on deeper humps when the sun pops out.
- If bluegill/covet fish are active: keep a shallow swimbait near weedlines and timber—these clusters often hold the bass or predators feeding on them.

**Weather note (early fall context):** Cloudy, cooler days slow topwater but boost mid-depth patterns. Your current weather data shows 59.5°F and cloudy with light wind, which favors mid-depth, reaction/relaxed retrieves rather than bright-sun topwater. If a warm front arrives, you can bounce between shallow topwater and mid-depth to maximize bites.

**Extra value: quick learning videos**
- [TOP 6 Baits for EARLY Fall (Surface, Mid-Depth, Bottom)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WxwBHUVx24)
- [Simple Two-Step Technique To Catch Walleye](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQHR-NCmjrM)
- [Start FINDING Bass FASTER Than Your Friends (Bass Fishing Tips)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfZycIEH8g8)
- [How to find catfish in a lake or reservoir - where to fish for catfish](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCI1wXH7KBw)

**Product ideas (great Lures to click into your October setup):**
- FONMANG 126Pcs Fishing Lures – versatile kit for fall patterns [Amazon]([https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTH8MXB4?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTH8MXB4?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1))
- TRUSCEND Easy Catch Swimmax – mid-depth, noisy swimbait for more bites [Amazon]([https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GP1DL4K?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1))
- Berkley Shallow Money Badger – versatile depth control for fall structure work [Amazon]([https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDVLDT74?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDVLDT74?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1))
- TRUSCEND Top Water Lures – great for shallow early fall topwater bursts when sun breaks through [Amazon]([https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1))

**Encouragement:** October in Indiana reservoirs is a catch-up month with a lot of water to cover. Stay patient, mix patterns, and let the water tell you where the fish hide. With a solid mid-depth game and a few adjustments as the weather shifts, you’ll find reliable bites and have a blast this fall. Tight lines and good luck out there! 🐟

Bass Fishing Questions

More Questions

Question is whjat type of fish are caught in south jersey

Where are good places to go fishing in Westchester, NY?

What is the best bluegill bait?

What are the best rods for bass?

What fishes are in Isola di Albarella, Fiordi di Diamante

What is the best rig for trout?

What are the best baits for creek bass fishing?

Should I use 30 or 40 lb fluorocarbon leader with my 30 lb braid mainline?

🎣 Oceanside