Fall shallow????

[ikeslayer]

i was recently reading on bass resource a poll where most fisherman say to fish shallow in the Fall. That is fine that i know that but simply why. Why are the fish moving shallow? And do they sit there til ice up? ike

[Fluker]

I think the more accurate statement is that fish will be where the food is, especially for northern lakes. They know winter is a comin' and they are feeding up for the long ice over. As temps lower, the bait fish start mocing shallow and the bass follow.

With that being said, I still claim to be a VERY average fall fisherman, so I sure don't have it all figured out. Finally got the post spawn thing figured out this year, so now it's time to get fall figured out. Sure hope some of them babies stay out deep on Minnewasks in a couple weeks. Any tips for a guy who's heading up for the first time?

Fluker

[Coach Dog]

I'm no fall expert by any means, but have had some good luck in the warmer part of the day (afternoon) catching bass in shallower water, mainly in October. More of my luck has been in the 6-10 foot water, not super shallow. I think the water temps fluctuate more in the fall and when it warms, that's when the bass seam to get real active during the day.

[RK]

Hiya -

I think it has a lot to do with water temeprature and weed growth. Even by late August, a lot of the shallow-growing weeds, especially the 'other weeds' (there are three kinds of weeds - cabbage, coontail and the 'other weeds.' )start to die back. That turns what had been pretty thickly choked weed flats into a maze of lanes and pockets. Weeds die off at different rates, so you have clumps of green coontail surrounded by relatively clean water. All the minnows and YOY bluegills and perch that have been using the thick mats for cover all summer suddenly have a lot fewer places to hide. For cruise and flush feeders like bass, it's a great environment to forage in.

The other thing is certianly day to day water temp differences. Fall's a really critical time for spring spawning fish - a lot of their egg development actually occurs before winter when their systems basically go into maintenence mode. So slightly warmer water in the afternoons is a significant bioenergetic advantage. Plus I just think the sun on their back feels good and makes them happy...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[EBass]

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Plus I just think the sun on their back feels good and makes them happy...

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LOL - it feels good on me

Dam it I'm going fishin tonight

[Griggs]

I believe that logic today. Went out this morning, and it was the coldest night since May. Air temp was 46 this morning and water temp was 62-64 and I got NADA. I would have been frustrated had it not been so ridiculous, I couldn't get anything to bite.

I believe the evening bite is going to be better then the day bite on days like this; let the day warm the water a bit...

[RK]

Hiya -

Griggs - I walked outside to get the paper this morning and thought to myself "glad I'm not fishing this morning..." Not something I say too often. These early fall cold fronts can be brutal. All the summer patterns pretty much go out the window at once...heh.

Most productive time of day in the fall is 11-4 or so for me. Great time if year for a walleye/bass combo platter. Fish walleyes in the morning and evening, and bass mid-day.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[Fever]

I agree Robb. I think the most productive times are the early to late afternoons after the shallows have had a chance for the sun to warm them a degree or three. The fish really do seem to put the feed bags on if you can find them. I've had a few exeptional days where you find them schooling on the first break near shallows and it is fish after fish and they are agressively slamming agressive approaches like lipless cranks. I'm getting anxious just thinking about it.... too bad I have Master's class tonight and won't get home till 9:30pm... Maybe this weekend though....

[EBass]

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Most productive time of day in the fall is 11-4

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Oh sure 11-4 and I won't be on the water until 5 - sheesh

I think I'm going shallow and staying shallow. Well we'll see. I still have 35 mins left - arrr

[Central Bassman]

Hey RK, Do you think Fall is a great time to fish mats because they can hold heat?? I know alot of the weeds die off but some/most will float somewhere and make a mat.

[Muddog]

As water temp fall the females start to make eggs and need to eat more.

In the mid summer the water temp in the shallows go up into the 80s and the oxygen levels start to drop. Big Bas drop in the cooler water. Well the shallows are cooler now, so the Big Bass are back. It is just about that easy. Plus the frogs are moving into the lakes.