The forecast for the next 10 days is calling for more bellow average daytime high temps here in central MN. Water temps have been holding right around 70 degrees the past few days. I have a feeling the bass will be getting into Fall patterns early this year. What do you think? What are you seeing?
Absolutely, I think it’s just starting. Last couple weeks the largemouth on a particular lake were in the pads or the edges. Predictable consistent pattern. Caught a bunch with water temps that were holding at 72-74. Was back yesterday, same lake and pattern as ever but with water temp at 70. Fished like an entirely different lake. They’re moving for sure. I’m sure other species are too —
OK FryDog62 the fall pattern has started because bass were in the pads and edges-where were they for the summer pattern?
OK FryDog62 the fall pattern has started because <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>bass were in the pads and edges-where were they for the summer pattern?
They were in the pads or on the weed edge for 2 months straight – and the two places I have found them on this week have been under docks (way way back in the long dark shadows) and on deeper structure 15-30 fow.
I had fish vacate a pad edge about a week and a half ago after that first significant rain we had. To bad for me, they were quality fish that had been there since late July if not longer.
A guy I met recently has a Martin house and said the telltale sign is the day usually in mid-August when the angle of the sun changes to a certain point and the birds just vanish and go South.
We all have different signs I guess but makes sense to have a variety of poles and lures ready in the boat this time of year — adapt or get skunked!!
The transition has certainly started. Still finding fish shallow but the numbers are in the transition areas. Mid depth weeds and breaks near deep water.
Yeah, I’ve noticed this too. The bass move to the weedline and go berserk on cranks, swimbaits, and jerkbaits. The senko bite has completely turned off as they look for high protein food.
Absolutely killed it on crankbaits this weekend. One of the best 3 day stretches I’ve ever had. Squarebill cranks are the ticket. I sat on the first break line on the lake, sat in about 12 ft of water casting into 8-10 with weeds coming up to about 5 ft below the surface. Ran the cranks through the weeds and held on. Topped off by my PB smallmouth.
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I don’t think they are in fall feeding mode quite yet. I really struggled to get bites the past couple of days and read a couple reports on Facebook saying the same. It’s to bad because conditions were ideal tonight, but they just didn’t want topwater.
The Pike bite has really picked up, whatever that means! Think the cooling temps fire them up a little before the bass. Bass also seem to be going some. Had a spinnerbait bite on Sunday. Shallow green water, with some weeds here and there. Nothing on the docks like normal.
I don’t think they are in fall feeding mode quite yet. I really struggled to get bites the past couple of days and read a couple reports on Facebook saying the same. It’s to bad because conditions were ideal tonight, but they just didn’t want topwater.
Topwater hasn’t been clicking for me either. I’ve been out a lot early mornings when I thought it was ideal too, but nothing. Moved to the weed lines near deep water and the fish were there every time.
we are starting to plan one more trip for the year.
with work and sports schedules we wont be able to go until the 1st/2nd week in october.
this would be the latest we have ever went fishing in the year. does anyone have any pointers for this time of year? thanks!
My fall go to is a jerkbait over the top of weedlines next to drop offs. Also don’t forget about the early morning/evening topwater bite. I’ve had some great fall mornings/evenings twitching a spook across the top.
I like to fish the remaining green weeds. I cover ground with Lipless and Squarebill cranks. Chatterbaits too. Then let the fish tell you if you have to slow down from there.
If you know the lake, think of the areas that had fairly thick weeds in 5-10ft of water, now they should be a little thinner and fishable. Depths may vary I guess.
Good luck.
Cool stuff. I will definitely look for green weeds. I was expecting most of them to be brown by then
Do you guys ever fish docks that late (October)?
I love to fish docks into November. On days the sun is shining focus on shade. I tend to go slow, fishing small tubes on a light jig.
Fishing definitely picked up for me over the past couple of days.
On Sunday I did some late afternoon fishing. Fishing was slower and fish were scattered. Nothing over 2lbs, think they were a bit chilly since it was the first cool day in a while.
Saturday wasn’t too bad before the front.
Deep cranks in 15-20ft on the deep weed edges have been producing for me the last week. Trying to get this spybaiting technique down but hasn’t paid off yet.
Last weekend on Rainy Lake was brutal weather – 30 degree temp drop, 3 inches of rain, lightning, 20+ mph winds. “Hurricane Dudley Doo-Right.” Tried everything and nothing seemingly worked.
Finally tried Whopper Ploppers on the calm side of islands/points over boulder piles. Some of the most ferocious blow ups and bites I’ve ever experienced. Caught some dandies…then it started raining again, and blowing harder..
But at least found what the Fall pattern was in southern Canada for awhile.
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