Late Fall Patterns In The Northeast

[JunkYard814]

I have never had time available to fish in the fall, especially the late fall so it's a relatively new experience for me. I read a lot about fall patterns, but I get the feeling that they're geared for the southern states where it mostly in the upper 50's and low 60's for a majority of the month.

I'm going out a little later today and trying my luck fishing from the shore of the pond. I was thinking of either deadsticking a jerkbait or slow crawling a worm or tube. Any other advice you guys have for me I'd appreciate very much. I'm fishing in north Jersey, the temperature looks to be in the mid to upper 40's. I expect the water to be in the low 40's.

[Nitrofreak]

Late fall around here includes primary points and humps where there is deep channel access, they are either staging just off those deep drops or have already made it to their deep water haunts, NJ is just North of Va, we have seen some cooler weather but I think you have been cooler than us, if surface temps are in the 40's I would be looking deep channels, if they are warmer chances may be that they are still on those humps and deeper primary points especially if they have some good cover close by, plastics and rattle traps were working in 40 foot range this past weekend here in deep creekbeds where there was a strong vertical drop.

[fishking247]

jerkbaits and grubs are my favorite for cold water

[bassguytom]

I'm in Pa and when the water gets into the 40's it was 47 on Saturday we use jerkbaits and blade baits. We have been having success with a suspending jointed shap rap. This bait will dive to 8 to 15 feet and stay there. We crank it down and stop. All of my bites are when the bait is still. Seems like the smaller baits work better in cold water also. I landed 8 on Saturday cranking down ledges and letting it sit there. Hard for me but productive if you have the patience. Hope this helps.

[thehooligan]

Im in south jersey and its been super slow. Its feels like there never was a fall bite and skipped right into winter mode. Last year the bite was hot till christmas, i was catching bass and pickerel on topwater till december. Ive been out a few times a week and have been getting the skunk. Ive been trout fishing just to catch some fish, lol.

And ive tried everything, lipless cranks, spinnerbaits, topwater, dropshot, cranks, jerkbaits. I just bought some finesse jigs, gonna try them and possibly tubes. I know some guys around here have been using crappie jigs under bobbers and doing pretty well with crappie and bass...

[JunkYard814]

So I went out yesterday and it was pretty d**n cold. Switched between the jerkbait and the tube for about an hour and a half. I caught one pickeral and no bass. Looks like I may be packing it up for spring earlier than I expected.

[Clint C.]

When the water gets in the 40's I like to go with hair jigs.

[Dylcook91]

Im in south jersey and its been super slow. Its feels like there never was a fall bite and skipped right into winter mode. Last year the bite was hot till christmas, i was catching bass and pickerel on topwater till december. Ive been out a few times a week and have been getting the skunk. Ive been trout fishing just to catch some fish, lol.

I've been saying the same about the fall bite...I never saw it. The last time I got one was the day after Sandy hit, It was a small dink on a big spinnerbait. I start with a spinner then fish slow with a jig and trailer, but overall the water seems dead.

[thehooligan]

Im not much of a jig fishermen, but i just picked up some 5/32 keitech finesse jigs that look pretty d**n good.

[Dylcook91]

Yeah I don't fish jigs much either, just seems a lot of fishermen have luck with them in cold weather so I figured I'd follow suit. The water I fish is set up perfect for jig fishing, as there are a bunch of submerged trees...so far, not working so well hahaha. Let me know how you make out with them.

[backwater4]

Silver Buddies, hair jigs, spinnerbaits and a jig. When the water hits the 40's here in ny and ct deep structure is the deal. Humps, foundations, etc in 15-30 ft. Look for bait and fish with the depth finder and vertical fish. If they're still in shallower, that's where the jig and spinnerbait take over.

[nhbassin]

Focus more on presentation of your lures rather than what type of lure to use. Yes, jerkbaits, jigs and spoons are the most popular in cold water, but you have to make sure to slow your retreival way down. If that doesn't work, slow down more. Its hard to fish too slow once the water is in the mid-low 40's

[SAC2]

dont give up yet fellas! bass are still biting, just gotta catch em feeding. paying attention to moon phases this time of year seems to have a bigger affect on my success more so than it does in the summer. i have been catching fish on drop shots and jerkbaits within the last week heading out today hoping to wrangle in a few.

[Nashua Nev]

Novemeber 24 up here in the cold NH water with my buddy Joe. N

[Dylcook91]

Nice fish!!! What did you get them on?