Fall fishing fast approaching

There are signs that fall could arrive earlier than usual this year. Leaves are already showing some color and are falling off the trees earlier than usual.

Wooly caterpillars are on the sidewalks, large groups of birds are on the power wires, and the nights are getting colder. Some folks who pay attention to such things say these are signs that autumn is just around the corner.

After all the heat this summer, some cool weather will be welcomed by many. And, knowing how good fishing can be in the fall, an extended autumn season will be welcomed by anglers. Following are some things to keep in mind for fall fishing success.

First of all, remember that different bodies of water behave differently in the fall. Cold air temperatures cause the surface temps of lakes to get colder than the deeper water, and that causes the different temperature levels of the lakes to mix.

The colder surface water sinks to the bottom of the lake, the warmer, deeper water rises to the surface. This event is called the turnover and it can make fishing tough for a few days. Keep in mind that the turnover will occur on different lakes at different times. One lake could be going through the turnover, while another lake just across the road may have already completed the turnover. In the fall, be willing to be mobile. Move from lake to lake until you find one that has fish willing to eat your bait.

Use larger baits in the fall: Fall fish are hungry and are looking for big meals. A Roach Rig or Fire-ball jig tipped with a four- to six-inch redtail chub is in dangerous territory when it’s near a walleye or a smallmouth bass, and if you’re after largemouth bass, a spinnerbait with a larger than ordinary blade and a bulky trailer is a good way to take a big one.

If walleyes are the target, and you’re using large minnows, you’ll want to avoid crowding the minnows. Lively minnows catch more fish, and the minnows stay most lively in a 1409 Aqua-Life Bait Station. This is a large bait container that is perfect for the larger baits that are so productive in the fall.

The last key to fishing success in the fall is to go whenever you can.

In reality, that’s the key to fishing success year ‘round. Some folks wait for the moon to be just right, or for three days of stable weather, or whatever. Reality is, if you wait for perfect fishing conditions, you won’t be going fishing very often. The more you get your bait in the water, the better your chance to catch something, and in the fall, the better your chance to catch something big.

Whenever you get the chance to go fishing in the fall, keep trying different lakes until you find one that has fish willing to bite, then use a larger bait. If you do, you’ll find fishing success in the fall.

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Tags: outdoors, fishing