Shallow Fall Bite

[Maximum12]

I'm looking for info on the fall bass bite in shallow, weedy lakes.

There are a couple of lakes near my house in St. Paul that hold nice bass. The lakes are under 100 acres, generally bowl shaped with little structure, lots of shoreline weeds, 12-15 feet deep max. I've had good days during the spring in summer, but a lot less success in the fall when the bass either scatter or crawl up into the trees to avoid me.

General info on tactics for these shallow lakes would be appreciated!

[sami0115]

fall should be the best time of the year! the best fall fishing happens when the water temps drop 10 to 15 degrees below what the normal summertime temps are. that is when the bass should make their move into the shallows to feed. i have had the best success with spinnerbaits, buzz baits and jigs. what also seems to work is frog type lures or making your spinnerbait, buzzbait or jig look like a frog. i have been told that the frogs migrate into the lake in the fall to hibernate in the mud/sand. the bass seem to go crazy for them.

[Maximum12]

Sami, my scum frog is one of my favorite lures...not only fun to fish, but fun to watch, too.

Where would you jig on a shallow lake? I don't jig for bass much.

[locolocal]

Maxi-
Jigs aren't only for deep water. I love to work jigs around docks too.

As far as your particular scenario, I've caught lots of bass on the "outside weed edge" which was only 4-6 feet of water.

Target those outside weed edges (if there truely is no other off-shore structure) you mentioned. You should be able to throw just about anything at that cover and get fish. Especially now that they're strapping on the feedbag.

[This message has been edited by locolocal (edited 09-29-2004).]

[Deitz Dittrich]

You kind of joked about fish carawling up in the trees to avoid you... in the fall, bass will seek out any wood on the shoreline. If you have wood from fallen trees, FISH THEM!!!!

in your lake I would try to find areas where there are green weeds... Green weeds being the key. There should be a lot of weeds dying right about now.. finding the live wees that are still kicking out O2 is what is best. Also if you can find some that are near deep or in your case relitively deep... them would be best. Cast spinnerbaits or shallow cranks to try and find a fish then slow down and fish that area real well.. there are probably more around!

[delmuts]

as far as shallow cover goes; if you see it fish it! down trees or logs, rocks, boat docks, weeds, even just shallow banks with no structure can hold feeding bass. my $.02 del

[cheektowaga]

Just got back to metro from up north bass fishing. Did real well, 8 fish over 18 inches all in shallows to 8 foot deep max. Crankbaits (not easy to fish shallow but very productive) and spinners, fish were holding near trees and in shallow weedlines.