Fall Fishing

With cooler weather approaching, fish of all species are on the move, migrating up the tributaries looking for cooler waters and an abundance of food. Bait fish will head for the back ends of the creeks and the predators will follow. Stripers, hybrids, crappie, catfish and bass, all will follow the bait. For anglers, it’s this time of year when fishing ranks GREAT; it’s the second season of easy shallow water fishing.
Bass fisherman will be implementing a variety of shallow water lures. Topwater, floating worms, lipless crankbaits, spinnerbaits and buzzbaits are some popular favorites. Watch for the presence of baitfish, present your lure in the vicinity of the baitfish, be patient and persistent and you will catch fish.
Crappie will congregate close to some kind of available structure or cover. Fishing shallow 1 to 6 foot deep with minnows and jigs is the ticket for catching crappie. Keep moving until you locate fish, then sit back and enjoy your honey hole.
The stripers and hybrids will generally arrive on the scene when the water gets a little cooler. Some diehard striper anglers will freeline live herring. However, topwater lures, Pro Shadspins and shallow running jerkbaits will produce some good fish.
Bottom line, when the water begins to cool due to the autumn temperatures and fog appears on the water at dawn, get your favorite lures and head up the tributaries that feed your lake and you just might experience the best fishing of the year.