OVERVIEW: The much-needed rain and the cooling water temperatures should greatly improve fishing this month. Water temperatures should drop into the mid- to lower 70s.

Largemouth bass: Fishing will be good. Plastic worms, top-water lures, jigs and shakey-head jigs will be good choices of lures. Some fish will start to school. Docks and points will be good places to try your luck.

Smallmouth bass: The best time to fish will be early morning and late day. Best lures will be drop-shot rigs, tubes and top-water lures. Try fishing humps near deep water and rocky points in the mid-section of the main rivers.

Striped bass: Fishing will improve as water temperatures fall. Swim baits, popping plugs, flukes and spoons are the best choice of lures. The best depths will be 25 to 50 feet. Live bait and trolling umbrella rigs also should produce fish. Mid-lake should be the best area to fish.

Crappie: Fishing is fair. Some fish can be caught on live minnows, small jigs and tubes. Best depths are 10 to 20 feet. Try deep near docks and brush piles.

TIP OF THE MONTH: Try using a "Tungsten" weight with your Texas- and Carolina-rigged plastics. These weights are smaller and harder than lead weights.