Fall fishing

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Pro Staff,
How do you compare fall fishing to spring and summer fishing? Do you prefer either? Do you change baits or locations drastically? Any tips for newcomers who may be fishing for the first time in the fall? Thanks, Johnnie

[catt951]

Since I live in the south I can fish year round. Summer & Fall offer both numbers of fish as well as size. Most anglers are crazy about pre-spawn & spawn for large fish. I for one catch larger fish in the dead of winter. Although the number of bites may be only 10 to 12 on a good day, there is no need to measure em they will be keepers. From late fall through late winter I cast a Jig-N-Craw working it slowly much like you would a Texas Rig. My biggest stringers have all came during this time frame.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Catt, thanks for the info. I like fall best because like you said, most of the fish are larger and there are fewer boats, plus, I love the fall foliage. We have drastic weather changes in Iowa-direct from summer to fall - to winter-in a very short time frame, but those first few days of cold nights and warm afterrnoons can be great. I do use larger baits in the fall, until it gets really cold, mostly crankbaits, then jigs. Johnnie

[catt951]

I just returned from a trip to North Central Ohio & must admit the country was beauitful. The temperture here has finally started to get that cool fall feeling. Temperature here is in the mid to upper 80's during the day & mid to upper 70's at night. I'm still night fishing but by next month I'll switch to days. I catch alot of numbers on Texas Rigged worms or craw worms. But for size I fish a 3/8 oz. jig with a craw worm or plastic chunk. The areas fished are creek channels in shallow covers & Main lake points. My absolute favorite is from December to late February, this is strictly jig fishing time. You'll be lucky to get a dozen bites but they'll be hawgs. Bass do not feed as othen during the winter but when they do the larger ones will have all the major angles of attack on a piece of structure and will take advantage of all meals offered.

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Catt, you're right about them cold water hawgs. I guess I'd rather catch numbers of fish over size, but I've never turned down a big fish yet, jigs are big bass killers. Thanks, Johnnie

[mrbass]

Here in NC I fish mostly year around,
I like the spring here for larger bass but the fall time schooling bass are awsome i like to introduce new people to bass fishing during this time because you can spend more time catching bass in stead of searching for them. I LOVE SCHOOLING BASS

[carl]

OK the bass are still not in a frenzy feeding. little bass are bust'n the surface, but little else. the water is in the sixties. I worked the sunny bank with not much results, except little guys. On my way back to the launch I stopped and drifted into this little cove, which was now shaded. Through a citrus crank bait on a beaver pile; got a reaction strike which missed. Drifted in the cove and saw 18"s just sitting on the bottom; through and jiggedpork. Iwatched them just look and swim away. What's going on? This week the air& water temtp are supposed to drop dramaticly. should I keep fishing deep structure and small coves? Spinner bait blades, when to use copper and when to use silver? Skirts, what color and when? thanks, carl

[johnnie crain outdoors]

Carl,
I like to use copper blades in the fall. I think that crawfish are the main food supply in fall and perhaps that is why the copper blades work best. Copper blades are far less likely to spook shallow bass, not as flashy. I'd stick with the deeper water areas you have been fishing, although some coves do produce numbers of bass if the shad are there. I like the deep water best for quality fish and will generally use very deep diving crankbaits in shad, bass or bluegill patterns.
Just returned from Lake Norfork in Mo. Bass were tearing up surface shad, good ole Zara Spook worked great, caught some larger fish on spinnerbaits fished below the shad and even a few on crankbaits crashed through the schools. Good fun! No fish caught on spoons though, they wanted only over-sized baits.

[carl]

thanks Johnie

[brendanc]

Carl,

A general rule of thumb is "if you can see the bass, the bass can see you". Fan casting weightless soft plastics can be your best friend when fish are spooky. (Regardless of the time of year) I like the "do nothing" approach. Make long casts ahead of the boat and just let the bait fall on slack line to the bottom and then leave it there for 10-15 seconds. Then reel it in and do it again. Those spooky are a sucker for a slow falling bait.

In the late fall and early spring, shallow bass will take advantage of dark spots on the lake bottom and also dark objects like stumps, logs and boulders. If you have seen fish shallow, this tactic will definitely put a few fish in the boat...

Good luck...