In Fall, the kids go to school. Fish, on the
other hand, simply school up. And that
can make for excellent fishing for several
species.
Now is the time when largemouth bass
visit the shallow water to bulk up for the
cold season, making hollow-body frogs an
excellent starter after Labor Day passes.
As the temperatures continue to drop,
largemouth head deeper. Follow the bite by
locating mid-depth, still-green weeds and
other cover. Spinnerbaits, shallow crankbaits
and jerk baits can cover water. When you do
connect, thoroughly fish the locations with
slow-sinking plastic stick worms, like Senkos,
as multiple bass may be using the areas. Be
patient, and be quiet, to avoid spooking the
fish.
Further cooling means deeper breaklines
and green weeds will soon become home for
bass. Jigs and tubes are excellent bottom baits
for deeper water as fall reaches out. Rapala’s
Deep Husky Jerk and other suspending
crankbaits can get attention, especially as sun
warms the surface. Live bait, like minnows
and crawlers, are another option.
Largemouth may winter close to summer
homes. Smallmouth are different. River fish
migrate from feeder streams to main rivers
and lakes when water hits 60 degrees, eventually finding 15- to 20-foot homes. River fish
feed shallower early. Deep crankbaits are prime search tools; try brown craw or brighter
Firetiger patterns. Don’t be afraid to visit the same fish-holding areas every day, as different
groups may use the same stops from year-to-year before moving deeper.
Water temperatures in the low 50s mean bottom baits. Grubs, bucktail jigs and tubes are
key. Plastic flukes and swing-jigs with a smaller creature type plastic trailer can score. Go
as light as possible to maintain bottom contact. With swing-jigs, reel slowly over bottom to
stay out of snags.
Don’t overlook panfish come fall, either. Crappies are schooling, and they’ll use mainriver
current breaks as well as deeper backwaters and oxbows out of the current. Go with
just a light jig and fathead minnow, or a slip bobber set up, which is good in the currentfree
areas. On one outing, we found crappie suspended deep near bottom and in tree
branches just four feet down. It made for a banner day!
Bluegill often get overlooked once they spawn. They can provide good fall action in
channels and sloughs off the main river. A light action rod, six-pound test line and a slip
bobber rig with a small crawler piece or worm on a number six Eagle Claw Aberdeen hook
and sinker is all you need.
Now’s the time to be on the water. Fall can produce excellent action on game fish, as well
as the opportunity to take home a nice mess of fish for eating. Mark your calendar.
