Fall bass fishing blues

carl · Post by **carl** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 4:03 pm

I primarily fish for bass, belong to a b.a.s.s. fed. club and and am on the water on average three days a week. Conventional wisdom says spring and fall are the best times to fish. Well, for me that's partly true, late winter and early spring is when I catch numbers and lunkers. Summer fishing is hit or miss for me; this year I got a couple of big ones and keepers, but with fall arriving...here's the problem, there seems to be no difference between summer and fall fishing. I have asked angler after angler about this so called fall bonanza, and every one I talk to just shrugs and says it's the same with them. I live in Southern IL., and fish highly pressured lakes with clear to moderately stained water. So I'm looking for tips on how to fish this season, what lures, colors, ect. Is there anyway to guage when the fall bite has arrived; I've kind of assumed water temps are important. Any advice/info would be greatly appreciated. Carl

johnnie crain outdoors · Wed Sep 17, 2003 4:37 pm

Carl, good question.
Fall fishing generally begins when the water temperatures dip into the mid to low 60's. The shorter day light hours and dropping temps prompt the bass onto feeding. Fall bass will feed on crawfish whenever possible or attcak schools of shad. In the fall, I fish crankbaits a lot, especially when the water is above 60 degrees. I fish rock points and bluffs and parallel the banks making long casts with deep diving baits. I want a bait that dives to 12 feet or even more. Medium to slow retrieve. After temps fall below 60 I still will use crankbaits if the fish repsond, if not I use a jig and pig in brown. I fish the jig anywhere from two to twenty feet deep, depending on local conditions. I have taken crankbait bass in 38 degree water, so don't give up on them too soon. Try to fish mid-day,& early afternoons, the fish are more active then, early and late just doesn't cut it. I am a big fan of fall fishing and prefer it over any other time of year. Keep in mind, that in fall most quality fish want a larger offering. All the past years bait fish have grown. The fish expend as little energy as possible and prefer to eat one large minnow or crawfish over chasing several smaller prey. Fish the stained water when possible it stays a shade warmer longer. Fish till the water reaches about 40 degrees, then it may be over. Jigging spoons fished vertically will work in water to fifty feet deep, but it's tedious work, fishing schools of suspened bait fish a long way from the bank. Will cover that more if you'd like. Johnnie Crain, Iowa pro staff.

postcard · Post by **postcard** » Mon Sep 22, 2003 12:28 pm

I find that when the trees have turned and the conditions are right, fall can be astounding. This is when I try new baits to see if the dang things can catch multiple fish, because god knows, they were worthless all year.

Fish are more affected by major cold fronts, especially those with cold downpours and wind, and result in lockjaw for a few days after. I find that semi-cloudy days and a warm front bring bass out into deeper water, up on shallow flats and to the pad edges. Dying pads accomplish the same thing - less 02. If the water is falling due to less rain, better yet to concentrate fish.

Like John says, bigger and faster is allowed.
Buzzbaits and willow leaf spinnerbaits get their attention in the shallow weedy areas.
Crankbaits (Killer B and Rat L Traps) get chased for the first time in months. Carolina rigged 7" creature baits and lizards are bit like no tomorrow. Even large in-line spinners take their fair share.

Smallies begin their peak and turnoff sooner than LM in my local river. Topwater is superb in 4' or less - ALL DAY!

Pond fishing really excels, especially with j&P thrown under overhanging trees and worked down a sloping bank.

Of course all of your search lures (tubes and 4" grubs) are readily inhaled. Senkos are still good, but as with any t-rigged worm, slow and good for tough days. Wacky rigged, they seem do better in fall.

The key is to fish, fish, fish, until you hit a bonanza.

FrankM

johnnie crain outdoors · Tue Sep 23, 2003 4:48 am

Carl,
hope you read Franks post it's a good one. I believe all he said. Thanks for the question. Johnnie

catt951 · Post by **catt951** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 12:35 pm

Yall are right on target!
1. Fall/Spring is affected cold fronts
2. Winter/Summer it's warm fronts
3. Fall/Spring fish before the front
4. Winter/Summer during the front
5. Cloudy over cast days with a hint of rain in the air.

MMT · Post by **MMT** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 2:24 pm

In fall if you are targeting vegetation, make sure you opt to fish the green weeds. These will hold baitfish and give off oxygen thus in turn hold bass as well. The dying brown weeds actually suck up oxygen and will not hold bait or bass most of the time. Target creek channels!

carl · Post by **carl** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 7:51 pm

Thanks one and all for the advice, tight lines. carl