Early November Fishing

Not planning on deer hunting this year but will be in camp and fishing instead, central Minnesota area, do other people fish this time of year?..never see too many people on the lakes…figuring trolling deep for wallys…maybe suspended crappies?

I find that the walleyes move up shallow at dark this time of year…I’d look for inside weeds or any fresh water sources or choke points for baitfish like channels. Also, any wind blown shore or points would be good to search for eyes. Crank baits are my main go to but I also like big plastics, pitching jig and minnow, or rippin raps.

I think crappies should be suspended but they could be shallow in the weeds. I’d find out where guys find them during early ice on those lakes and start there.

Nothing better than being on the water with no one else and slaying fish.

Trolling stick baits at night as shallow as you can. Freaking can’t wait!!

Attachments:

1. 

   27521.jpeg
   

2. 

   IMG_20171103_192751856.jpg
   

Shallow trolling here as well, I wait till it starts getting dark out,3-7 fow pulling shallow running shad raps on planer boards to get them away from the boat a little bit.

Aaron, some nights my hottest rods are right in the prop wash in 3′ water. I have my main trimmed up otherwise she’d be hitting rocks. Pretty unreal. Theory is the prop wash kicks up all the baitfish hiding on bottom and fish take advantage.

It’s the best time to fish. Most people are hunting and the pleasure boaters are off the lake. I prefer to cast over troll and go after musky. This time of the year I will be tossing big jerk baits and when the water gets down to 55 and lower I will start trolling suckers.

@nhamm I agree, one lake I fish you will almost catch more fish in the prop wash but the musky seem to like it as well (not that they are not fun to catch), it is a busier lake so I don’t think they mind the motor noise. On another lake I fish they don’t seem to like the motor noise and I have my best luck further away from the boat

So your saying go shallow…..good to know, looking forward to not all the pleasure boaters..not that there’s anything wrong with that…

For the lakes I fish predominantly, yes shallow water has a terrific bite. Inside weedlines after sundown are where its at. If it is cloudy or the water is choppy then the bite will start earlier. But some of my best fishing this time of year has also happened in 17-25 fow as well. Also I have been trolling these waters up shallow throughout the summer this year and have had great success as well so it is not just a fall thing for where I fish.

Will be my first year pulling planers in the shallows at night, u put reflective tape on those or what?

nhamm wrote:

Will be my first year pulling planers in the shallows at night, u put reflective tape on those or what?

Most important is to set your drag/clicker so that any additional tension will cause it to go off. You can also add the reflective tape or attach a glow stick to the flag.

I will be going for big, deep, coldwater bass, along with muskie and crappie. Crappies are really fun late fall early winter before the lakes freeze over. You can find some big schools.

Steep breaks, deep during the day and shallow at night. Find food, find fish.