10-19-2017, 08:59 PM
This year has been kind of weird. I've struggled to get both numbers and size, and usually fall is my favorite time to go.
The weather has been quite unsettled and it seems to be slowing things down. Also a lot of places have a lot more water this time of year than usual because of the huge snow pack last winter. It has the fish spread out and harder to find. I'm hoping this warming trend will continue on through the next couple of weeks so I can get out for a couple more bass trips.
I much prefer clear water when temps get down into the 50s and lower. Suspending jerkbaits and small swimbaits like a 4" Keitech Swing Impact or Easy Shiner on a 3/16 or 1/8 oz ball head are my go to baits in clear, cold, water along with a drop shot. Often times in the fall, once you do find the fish, you can find a lot in a small area. A fish finder is invaluable this time of year. I've also been doing quite well fishing bluegill colored jigs along deep break lines in the fall.
In the years when the fish are more active in the fall, I've had days where they just hammer a lipless crank or jerkbait fished quickly, even in water down in the upper 40s. It really does seem to vary from year to year and lake to lake.
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The weather has been quite unsettled and it seems to be slowing things down. Also a lot of places have a lot more water this time of year than usual because of the huge snow pack last winter. It has the fish spread out and harder to find. I'm hoping this warming trend will continue on through the next couple of weeks so I can get out for a couple more bass trips.
I much prefer clear water when temps get down into the 50s and lower. Suspending jerkbaits and small swimbaits like a 4" Keitech Swing Impact or Easy Shiner on a 3/16 or 1/8 oz ball head are my go to baits in clear, cold, water along with a drop shot. Often times in the fall, once you do find the fish, you can find a lot in a small area. A fish finder is invaluable this time of year. I've also been doing quite well fishing bluegill colored jigs along deep break lines in the fall.
In the years when the fish are more active in the fall, I've had days where they just hammer a lipless crank or jerkbait fished quickly, even in water down in the upper 40s. It really does seem to vary from year to year and lake to lake.
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