A couple people dropped out of a trip that was to take us to Kentucky lake for a weekend bass trip in October so it's been narrowed down to just me and another guy. Which of these Midwest lakes would be best for a 3rd weekend of October trip for some good bass fishing?

Truman

Stockton

Table Rock

Bull Shoals

Lake of the Ozarks

Kentucky/Barkley

Which would you choose?

Lake of the Ozarks would be my top pick, the bass should be feeding on a buffet of shad by then to prepare for the winter.

I would stay away from Truman - I just fished a tournament their with 132 boats in it and the winning weight was 14.13lbs...tough tough bite. If this tournament was on LOTO winning weight would have most likely been over 20lbs.

Just my 2 cents.

All the lakes should be hot in mid to late October. I would also add Grand lake, it's an awesome fall fishery as well.

I would opt for Kentucky/Barkley. It's a terrific fishery and the K/B lake combination allows you to move out of the wind if necessary.

I'd go to Lake of the Ozarks. Most of the big boats should be gone and some of the best fishing I've experienced out there has been in October. Never personally fished Kentucky or Barkley but I imagine they don't have the pro circuit stop out there almost every year for nothing.

I fish Table Rock quite a bit and it's good, but can be a bit crowded. Out of your choices I'd fish Bull Shoals, it's fairly remote, not a lot of pressure, and this spring the Bassmaster guys that fished the Elite series tourney there were amazed by the number of bass in that lake.

They can all be good. I'll make the case for Lake of the Ozarks based upon weather factors, lodging, and food. During the week last week, I saw just two other boats fishing. Had miles of it to myself. You often can choose any style of angling in late fall. On this lake with its numerous twists and turns and deep coves, the wind can't tear you up like KY Lake. Way more places to stay, shop, and eat also.

Often a great topwater bite, flipping dock bite, shallow crank bite, spinnerbait bite and even the crappie and white bass are often started by then also. On the darker, windier days fish more aggressively with buzz/spinnerbaits on the banks esp. with chunk rock and windier points, and on the calmer/sunnier days fish the docks in the coves with jigs, I'm often down there, so hit me up for a report before you come down. Good luck.