The hybrid bite has been on fire lately — and it’s all about the live bait. Most mornings have kicked off fast, with big, hard-pulling hybrids crushing shad over humps and mid-lake structure. Once you find them, the action doesn’t take long to get chaotic — doubles, triples, bent rods, and happy clients. The live-bait pattern has been steady through late morning, especially when we’ve got a little breeze and some current moving. Stay mobile and don’t be afraid to hop spot to spot — the fish are grouped tight, and when you find the right pile, it’s game on. Then comes the best part of the day… that last hour before sunset. When the sun starts to drop, it’s time to put the bait away and pick up a rod with a lure. The hybrids have been pushing shallow onto flats chasing shad, and the evening lure bite has been fantastic. Swimbaits, topwaters, and small spoons have all been producing, especially when birds start to show you the way. If you’ve been waiting for that fall hybrid bite — it’s here. Mornings are made for bait; evenings are made for artificials. It doesn’t get much better than this.