If the tip was from MM and he suggested beating the bank with a Senko, I would treat that advice as suspect.
I can't help with fall suggestions as I haven't been down there later in the year than early Sept and haven't done any good at that time of year. Spring & early summer patterns don't carry over in the fall, at least for me. But good luck and if you boat a snakehead, and like eating fish, they are good table fare.