fall fishing

carl · Post by **carl** » Sat Oct 30, 2004 5:49 pm

A few q's about fishing now. The weather has been mild, in fact it was close to 80 yesterday. Some days it's been cloudy, others, clear skies. Surface water temps have been around 67 degrees. I was assuming that the warm weather would bring them up along the shore line, so I fished some coves and points and found nothing. I found a hole right in the center of an opening to a large cove about a 1/4 mile between two points loaded with large and small fish. They were in 20 to 30' of water. One side of the hole is steep and they were stacked on it. I tried jigs, worms, drop shots, no luck. I didn't have a carolina rig with me, or blade baits. Have they already gone deep for the winter? Any tips on how to work this honey hole? I would think turnover, even in a deep reservoir wouldn't be a factor yet. Any help would be appreciated, Carl.

carl · Post by **carl** » Sun Oct 31, 2004 5:14 pm

The forecast for this week is for some rain and cooling temps, highs in the 60's, lows in the 30s. Might effect some of the advice I expect. Thanks, Carl.

dansfishntales · Post by **dansfishntales** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 12:20 am

Carl,
Try crankbaits. I've been having a lot of success with the Tennessee Shad color at the moment. Also, get over them and vertical jig with a jigging spoon - not the most exciting, but it can produce fish.
Hope this helps.
Best of fishing,
Dan

johnnie crain outdoors · Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:18 am

Carl,
As always Dan is right on target with the crankbaits and spoons.
I don't think that with 67 degree water tempertaure the bass have moved into the fall pattern yet. They are still in their summer pattern, that's why they're so deep. Start looking for shad near the shorelines as the water drops to below or at 60 degrees. Then the fall feed will begin. There probably isn't 2 degrees difference in the 30 plus foot water and the surface. Good fishing won't occur until the water surface water temp. drops sharply. Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jig and pig combo's will produce well a little later. The best is yet to come for you. Go get 'em. Johnnie

carl · Post by **carl** » Tue Nov 02, 2004 5:34 am

Thanks guys, I'll let you know how it goes. Carl

carl · Post by **carl** » Sun Nov 14, 2004 5:26 am

Well guys things haven't changed; I keep finding huge fish off shore. They are always in 20-30 feet. They are sitting on the bottom on structure about 200 feet directly in front of a cove, but still in the main lake. I don't see any swarms of bait fish. The water is clear, sligtly stained, 57 degres. Nothing I did would elicit a bite, "using your suggestions" although Dan I've been unable to find a brown crank. These fish are driving me nuts; I'm afraid next time out "Monday" I'm gonna use live bait. The coves are almost devoid of fish, nothing. What are they waiting for X-Mass?

johnnie crain outdoors · Sun Nov 14, 2004 10:34 pm

Carl, you have a very perplexing problem, but it will solve itself soon. The fish are simply waiting for the right water temperature to trigger the fall feed. The surface temp may be 57 degrees, but it may well be over sixty at 30 feet. You most likely won't ccatch any fish on a crankbait in 20-30 feet of water, that's just too deep for most folks to fish a crank. It can be done, but is a lot of work. Carolina rigs, spoons and jigs are ,ore effective at that depth. I suggest eliminating that cove for now, search out water more condusive to spinnerbaiting or crankbaiting. There has to be some good areas to fish that are between eight and eleven feet deep with some cover. When conditions dictate, the fish will abandon the drop-off and move into the cove, it's simply too early where your at. With that surface temp., I'd even try some slow moving buzzbaits or Zara Spooks. Keep at it, they will hit. Johnnie