Oct. 4 fishing report from Derrick Franks of the Striper Snatcher Guide Service:

“Lake Pleasant had a significant series of fall-like weather the last few days. That, coupled with the Waddell Dam adding water daily into the lake, has caused a shift in fishing patterns. The fish are progressively moving north each day, and has them graduating into shallower water. The cooler water temp has triggered a ridiculous amount of threadfin Shad to be high in the water column. This is an ideal time to catch some live bait, as they can be seen in the mornings in most of the northern coves. Since my start in this daily guiding, I've seen a big progression in white bass, largemouth bass and even some big crappie. To catch a crappie in Lake Pleasant, find the shad and fish trees nearby in 20-25 feet of water. For more information contact me at www.stripersnatcher.com”

Try a dropshot rig in 40-60 feet of water, in the northern coves or by the dam, with No. 6 hooks and cut anchovies (chum with pieces of anchovies as well).

Look for the hit-and-miss top-water action to pick up as water temperatures cool. This time last year, there was some top-water action in the river around the no-wake buoys. are hitting top-water lures or white flukes.

October can be the best time of the year to fish for stripers and white bass as water temperatures cool and these bass species feed on things like shad and crawdads.

A key to a good top-water biteis getting on the water for striper boils at first light -- if you have lights, try being on the water just before first light. Throw top-water lures, jerkbaits, white flukes, or flies. Once the sun comes up, fish cut anchovies in 40-60 feet of water for stripers and, for a hit-and-miss largemouth bass bite, go to dropshots and Texas-rigged plastic worms. The top-water striper bite should continue to improve until the first cold snap.

Shore anglers can try cutting up anchovies near the 10-lane boat ramp for stripers. Try free-lining the bait on 8-pound test line(chumming pieces of anchovies and hooking a portion of the tail and body.)

(Lake elevation 1,656 feet, 53 % full).