LARGEMOUTH BASS AT LAKE BOWEN
Lake Bowen is not a large lake, but it has a substantial population of quality-sized largemouth bass. Most important regarding this selection is that Lake Bowen had a sensational spring largemouth bass season in 2007. Odds are great the October fishing will be spectacular as well. This pocket-sized lake has excellent shallow-water fishing around the shoreline, and it has some great drops and ledges out in the middle of the lake.

Spartanburg and Greenville anglers are close and this lake, which passes under I-26, is within easy range of many Upstate and Piedmont anglers. It is well worth the trip even if you have to drive a few extra miles.

A variety of lures and techniques typically prove effective during fall bass fishing.

Carolina rigs fished on the humps and ledges in the open water can be deadly. You do not have to be fishing in real deep water to be successful. Sometimes the fish at this time of the year will be relatively shallow.

Deep-diving crankbaits are prime lures on these offshore places as well. In addition, Texas-rigged worms will be good on shallow shoreline objects found throughout the lake.

Early and during the day, topwater lures such as buzzbaits will produce excellent results as well. Swimming minnow lures work on the flats near the drops and are also a good early-morning way to hook up with a hawg largemouth.

Bream fishing, especially with fly rods and popping bugs late in the evening along the shoreline, is a great backup for Lake Bowen.

CRAPPIE AT LAKE WYLIE
Lake Wylie is known as an awesome crappie lake. After the spring and early summer, the crappie fishing pressure drops off noticeably. However, the crappie continue to bite right on through the fall, with some excellent fishing throughout the South Carolina portion of the lake occurring during October.

The most difficult aspect of this fishery for most anglers is keeping up with the fish at this time of the year. As the weather cools, the fish are in a transition mode from summer to winter. They'll be staging along the creek ledges, drops and points where they have brush and other woody cover. The productive depths may vary a bit from one spot to another. In addition, you'll often find a good number of fish in relatively shallow water. You can literally work the docks, visible brush, stumps and tree tops with a long pole and float and take numbers of good crappie.

The most consistent fishing, however, will generally be along the deeper areas, where the fish have cover and a bottom contour change to which they can relate.

Tight-lining minnows or fishing minnows with a cork is a tried-and-true method for these fish. Also, trolling with jigs and grubs will produce excellent results as well.

A great backup species at Lake Wylie is the sensational channel catfish action. Cut bait drifted on the flats near deep water can produce plenty of catfish action.

SPECKLED TROUT AT THE COAST
The speckled trout fishing really cranks up again during the fall months and October is usually a prime time for these fish. The fish are present in big numbers and hefty sizes and the excellent fishing typically continues right on through November as well.

The trout will be holding in the tidal creeks near holes of slightly deeper water or other identifiable bottom structure. Most anglers will either use live bait under a float or will cast jigs and grubs.

One consistent place to find the fish is where small creeks enter the larger creek where you run the boat. On a falling tide, the water comes out of the grass and out the smaller creeks. This is an ideal congregation point for the trout to stage until the tide becomes high enough a few hours later to go back up the creeks.

If you're casting jigs, cast toward the shoreline above the target. Work the jig slowly along, just ticking the bottom occasionally as it drifts down the creek with the current. Typically, the trout bite will be subtle, but you'll feel it. Set the hook and hold on; these fish are good battlers on light tackle.

If you're using live bait, cast above the target and allow the bait (shrimp are plentiful and make great bait at this time of the year) to drift along the edge of the waterway, near the grass.

A great backup for this pick is fishing for spottail bass (redfish). The same baits and tackle can be effective and sometimes you'll catch the two species together. Usually, you'll need to work the flats at low tide for the best redfish action.

These seven trips are proven winners for outstanding fall fishing. Pick one or more close to you, or head to the coast from anywhere in the state. Any one of these seven will likely be your lucky number.