Late Fall Tips Needed

[chmeyers]

Im here in the Hampton Roads area of VA, we have been pretty lucky so far this year. We haven't seen a lot of cold weather yet. Although its starting to get chilly now. This has created a struggle for me. This time of year of, what time of day do fish eat. I seem to have most success around sunrise and sunset. Struggle during the day to get a bite. I do all my fishing from shore primarily small ponds and one good size public lake park. Ive been throwing a texas rigged senko weighted and weightless, some dual tail grubs and seem to get bites with those. Everyone has told me to fish slow, but at times i feel like I'm going to slow. I have had zero success with jigs and spinner baits, slight success with poppers in the AM. I have been getting LGM at about 1-2 LB but I want bigger. I don't need a world record, but a good rod bender would be nice. Throw me some tips..

 

 

Thanks 

[jbw252]

Search the forums here for blade baits, then give them a try.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

I'm going to venture out on a limb and guess that it's not late fall yet down there in the fishing sense. Up here in DC, water temperatures are hovering in the high 50's, which I consider early-mid fall. Once the water temp falls below 55 things will slow down a bit. You're a ways south of here, and judging by the weather down there over the last month you're a little behind us with the cool down. This year has been tricky though, as the slow onset of autumn is contrary to the reduced daylight hours. Fish react to many environmental factors, not just water temp. But water temp is a big one.

My guess is that you should be throwing lures that imitate bait fish and fish them higher in the water column. Possibly with a faster cadence than what you're currently doing. Think swimbaits, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, shallow/mid crankbaits, etc. Maybe even topwaters early and late in the day, and when there are overcast conditions. Fish are probably still up shallow. Try to locate bait fish and throw something that imitates them, or something that evokes a reaction strike from the bass.

I'm not really into power fishing myself. At this time of year I like to throw jerkbaits and work them quickly, or swim a regular old 3-4" grub on a ball head jig. I most likely won't break out the blade baits for another couple of weeks (last year it was several weeks earlier.) Blade baits really excel once water is below 50, but also when it's in the mid 50's and you're facing frontal conditions that slow down the bite. They'll catch fish all year, but anything warmer than that and there's a better tool for the job. I'm guessing it's already that time up in Jersey.

Fall fishing can be feast or famine, though.

[chmeyers]

Awesome, thanks. Im not a big fan of the blades. I think your right, Im fishing like its winter, yet we haven't had the cold snap yet to get us there. All the water I have been throwing in is still pretty warm. Probably need to speed it up a tad. Thanks for the advice. 

 

I was in NOVA 2 weeks ago, Warrenton Area, fished Lake Brittle and Crockett Park not much success. It was pretty windy, hopefully get to try them again in the summer..

[papajoe222]

My recommendation is just the opposite of what everyone has told you (fish slow).  I rely on cranks, spinnerbaits and fast moving topwaters when the water temp. drops under 70 until it gets into the low/middle 50's.  If your best times are around sunrise and sunset (low light), you need to look at changing your tactics during those 'off times.' Not necessarily the baits you're using, but your presentation. The fish will still relate to cover and structure, but will hold tighter to them during the 'bright light' hours and you need to adjust accordingly.

[lo n slo]

Dont forget to take the tme to try and locate some activity on your fish finder. It could be the difference between a good day and a bad one. Creeks and coves are usually good places to begin. Start at the first point and work your way back, watching your screen. If you come across bait balls, or schools of anything, start fishing. The whole place may be good or you'll hit good areas within there. If the wind is blowing pretty good, I like rat-l-traps. I also like my t-rigs for a slower falling, swimming plastic, as the wind allows.

[iabass8]

My recommendation is just the opposite of what everyone has told you (fish slow).  I rely on cranks, spinnerbaits and fast moving topwaters when the water temp. drops under 70 until it gets into the low/middle 50's.  If your best times are around sunrise and sunset (low light), you need to look at changing your tactics during those 'off times.' Not necessarily the baits you're using, but your presentation. The fish will still relate to cover and structure, but will hold tighter to them during the 'bright light' hours and you need to adjust accordingly.

I will second this. During this time of the year when the water is in the low 50's, fish are still actively feeding. Figure out where the baitfish are holding/migrating to and you will likely find the bass. I have most of my best days this time of year during the warmest parts of the day. Squarebills, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim baits, poppers, buzzbaits (you get the picture) make up what I throw the most. If I'm out during a bright, sunny day I will beat that Jig into any timber/brush/rock in areas I know fish are moving to and do it relentlessly. 

[WPCfishing]

I'm in Southern NE.. I start mid depth ( 8') and work my way in looking for a pattern. I'm always looking for cover of some type or another especially on those windy days. 

If the cover isn't obvious use you depth finder to find it and start fishing. If you don't have a depth finder look for color changes in the water or where the water surface is different from a majority surrounding area. Sometimes a shade line. Parallel the shore to cover more area quicker. Cast toward the sun if its possible. retrieve thru each water column to find bass. Before you know it you will be on them. Once you are, look for similar area's on the lake and fish them. 

[Luna2406]

I live in the same area and I've had luck with poppers in the a.m and squarebills once the topwater bite dies off on me. I fish off a kayak so its easier for me to keep moving (seeing how you are on shore) looking for those bait balls. Once I find them though I throw crankbaits near them and usually always get bites. I've started having a bit of luck on a wacky rigged senko too, something I usually have no luck on. Recently I've noticed that I'm getting most bites throwing past structures and working it near the structure, not sure why but that's where I've found them. Another place I've noticed bass hanging out is the openings of creeks, I don't think they've moved into the creeks yet.