I have a tourney coming up this weekend. The weather has been warm the last couple of days in the high 70s to low 80s. Water temps in the mid to upper 60s. There is a big storm coming up the east coast & expecting water levels to rise a lot. Then the temps to drop into the high 50's on Sunday (tourney day).

How would approach these conditions? What structure or cover should I target? :-/

(I'm in Massachusetts)

small baits, slowly... in fact slower than slowly is what I say.

1. Deep offshore structure

2. Didn't say what types of cover are available

3. Lure choices: Texas Rig, Carolina Rig, Jig-N-Craw, Deep Cranks, Drop-Shot, or Jigging Spoons

There's pads, docks, fallen trees.

There's pads, docks, fallen trees.

Learn about what is outside over your shoulder away from shore; rock piles, ditches, channels, under water structure where the bass tend to locate during severe weather fronts.

WRB

Downsize, fish slow, deep waters, I also like dark colors not a lot of flash.

I fished yesterday in this band of rain that's moving up the coast, we had over 4" here & it's headed straight for you.

As with most rain events this large, 9.5 times out of 10, there are clearing skies and substantial winds behind it.

Fortunately, there isn't any real cold weather behind this one. If your water temps are now in the hi 60's like they are here, they'll probably be close to that this weekend, there won't be any noticable change.

These early fall fronts don't  affect the fish as much as the fronts that come later in the fall with the 15 degree temp. drops.

If it were me, the last place I'd want to be if it's windy is fishing deep water offshore structure. I'd be fishing shallow, and in the thickest vegetation or blowdowns I could find.

The water is still plenty warm. I'd still be throwin plenty of spinnerbaits & buzzbaits. Even after a front passes thru, there's always going to be some rule defying fish that will stay shallow.

It's been hot & dry around these parts all summer, lake levels are low. A good 5" of rain, some water color and a little frontal activity are just what I've been looking for to

mix things up a bit.

So, ain't no need to panic, run out to the middle of the lake

with your marker buoys, or have to break out any weenie baits. Just fish like you usually do with a little more emphasis on shallow thick cover.

good luck

Awesome !

Thanks for the help!