Bass Catchin Questions

[Rick Howard]

Being a rookie to fishing after Labor Day, I have been reading about about fall fishing since Labor Day.  I learned some things and confirmed some of my suspicions.  Most of the articles mention that once you find the fish you should be able to catch multiple fish in that area.  I must be missing something. I am going to skip why I am fishing the spot and bait selection and get to the part when I actually catch a fish .  Once I catch a fish I thoroughly fish that area trying to recreate the previous bite.  When that fails I mix up presentations and baits and cover all the available structure and cover around.  Still... Seems I can only manage one fish.  What gives? What am I missing?

 

I do not have electronics on my boat.  I know, I know I am missing out.  I have been eyeballing a HumminBird Helix 7 with DI/SI.  I've been doing my homework on that front.  Honestly though, I fish the same river all the time.  Been fishing it since I was 2 years old.  My old man has fished it for 65+ years and has taught me what he knows about the river.  I am not suggesting that electronics would not be helpful or show me some new stuff.  But in order to go out and have a good day fishing, the need for electronics has not been here.  I have plans to fish some new water though.  This got me thinking on a few things.  How would I know where to fish in these places.  The first answer was not electronics.  Clearly electronics would be the an answer though.  For sake of a topic lets thrown throw depth finders out.  Maps are a given so lets throw those out as well.  What are some natural indicators to finding fish?  I have a small list of things I look for.  I would like to pick the brains of others to add to my list...  For the record, I am not trying to avoid buying a fish finder, debating the benefits of a fish finder, suggesting that there is a better alternative to a fish finder.  My purpose is to learn some more about fishing while sitting on my couch cause I can't go fishing.   

 

1) Visible cover

2) Boiling Bait Fish

3) Fish eating birds

4) Fish feeding at the surface

 

 

 

 

 

[WIGuide]

Part of the deal might be that you're missing is that depending on the body of water the fish might not be grouped up in a spot. I'm not sure what the river you're fishing is like, but in the fall the bass migrate to their wintering areas, usually the deeper holes with slower current. The fish you're catching might just be the stragglers that are on their way, or they could be the ones leading the pack. It's also hard to tell you what else to try when I don't know what you're fishing. As the water cools down in the fall the signs of activity die off. It's hard to say what to fish for sure. If you don't have electronics to find the fish you best bet would be to burn water. It's somewhat of a challenge though because you're trying to move as fast as you can but still fish slow. Hopefully that helps a little.

[WRB]

The majority of what you read is based on large southern reservoirs with largemouth bass and Shad as baitfish. You can't apply everything you read to a northern River.

Tom

[Fisher-O-men]

Rivers are a different animal.

[Fin Stalker]

Fish in rivers aren't going to behave the same as fish in a lake. About half of my fishing is done on rivers here in the South but the principles should still apply. The main thing to look for outside of visible cover is any kind of current break in the water whether it be an eddy or seamline (an area where shallow faster water meets deeper slower moving water). Fish those areas. Keep in mind that you are going to be on the move constantly, so you may pick up two or three fish in one area but you may not sit in one spot to do it. I kind of look at it like running and gunning. I'll throw to a spot a couple of times then move on, if I pick up a fish I may throw to a few more spot around where I caught that one then I keep moving. Notice what is working for you and repeat but keep moving. I have had times when I've absolutely hammered them at the mouth of a creek but those time are few and far between. Generally most of my time is spent on the move. Also keep in mind that a river is a living thing, the river you fished today isn't the same river you will fish tomorrow.

[Sam]

Rick, this happens to all of us so it is not you.

 

I was told by an old guide down here in Virginia that when you hook a bass that bass secretes a scent telling the other bass he is in trouble.

This scent causes the other bass not to hit any baits for a while.

 

True? I have no idea and have not read or seen any data on this statement in any publications.

So I can't say it occurs or does not occur.

Maybe someone out there will clarify this for us.

 

In the meantime, put yourself in the bass' place, just hovering next to a good structure providing safety and oxygen, waiting for something to float by to have a snack.

All of a sudden a friend that is in your same area goes nuts, swims up and down and finally is pulled towards the water's surface and then completely out of the water.

Are you going to bite what your friend bit? If you are an Alabama fan the answer is yes. If you are a normal person the answer is no.

 

But we do pull multiple fish from one tree, stump, cove, etc. so to think that a bass throws off a scent to warn the other bass does not seem to hold true.

And bass will hit the same bait that another bass has just hit and exited the premises.

 

I would think that you should be catching multiple bass from one area if they are multiple bass in that area.

 

Now, armed with the above here is my input on your queries:

How would I know where to fish in these places. - YOU DON'T KNOW. EXPERIENCE, HUNCH, LUCK, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE ALL FACTOR IN.

The first answer was not electronics. - RIGHT. YOU CAN ONLY SEE SO MUCH WITH YOUR ELECTRONICS.

Clearly electronics would be the an answer though. - NOT THE TOTAL ANSWER. JUST MORE CLUES FOR YOU TO USE TO FIGURE OUT THE PATTERN.

For sake of a topic lets thrown throw depth finders out. - THROW OUT DEPTH FINDERS AND KEEP THE SONAR.

Maps are a given so lets throw those out as well. - OK, NO CONTOUR LINES, POINTS, HIDDEN COVES/CREEKS, DOCKS, SUNKEN SHIPS, ETC.

What are some natural indicators to finding fish?  - ANYTHING STICKING OUT OF THE WATER, BE IT ONE LITTLE SKINNY LEAF OR A TREE TRUNK. ANYTHING THAT A BASS WILL HOLD TO FOR SAFETY, OXYGEN AND A GOOD AMBUSH POINT.

 I have a small list of things I look for.  I would like to pick the brains of others to add to my list... - AND HERE WE ARE!!!!

For the record, I am not trying to avoid buying a fish finder, debating the benefits of a fish finder, suggesting that there is a better alternative to a fish finder. - NOPE. AND STOP CALLING IT A FISH FINDER. CALL IT A SONAR UNIT. AND IT IS ANOTHER TOOL FOR YOU TO USE TO FIND LOCATIONS AND STRUCTURE YOU CAN'T SEE THAT HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF HOLDING BASS.

My purpose is to learn some more about fishing while sitting on my couch cause I can't go fishing. - DVD's, BASS FISHING MAGAZINES, BASS FISHING BOOKS, INTERNET TO READ ABOUT BAITS, RODS, REELS AND LINE, YOUTUBE VIDEOS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES BY OUR OWN GLENN MAY. WATCH ALL OF HIS PRODUCTIONS. THEY ARE GREAT, TO THE POINT, WITHOUT GLENN TRYING TO SELL YOU SOMETING.

 

WATCH BASS FISHING SHOWS ON WORLD FISHING NETWORK AND OTHER SHOWS.

 

STAT A LIBRARY OF ARTICLES YOU CUT OUT OF MAGAZINES.

 

TRY TO VIEW THE THREE "BIGMOUTH" PRODUCTIONS BY GLEN LAU AND UNCLE HOMER CIRCLE.  

 

AS THEY SAY IN THE MILITARY: KNOW YOUR ENEMY. AND THOSE LITTLE GREEN MONSTERS ARE YOUR ENEMY.

 

Hope this helps point you in the right direction this winter.

 

Good luck.

[Rick Howard]

The majority of what you read is based on large southern reservoirs with largemouth bass and Shad as baitfish. You can't apply everything you read to a northern River.

Tom

 

I had a feeling this might be true.  I try to consider the source of my information though.  I try to pay particular attention to northern fisherman because of this.  Again most of the articles are written about natural lakes.  So I try to apply the information to see what works for me.  

 

The river I fish is an outlet for a pretty well known lake.  It is not very deep.  In most areas the deepest spots are 10-15 feet.  It does get deeper than that in some areas but on average 10-15 feet is max.  There are some deep holes around. Most often those are occupied by other anglers (this in not a complaint).  Also the current is almost non existent in most of the river.  Near locks and damns you find it and near some bridge pilings you see some but the rest of the river is very slow moving.  I find the wind more influencing than current most places here.     

 

I suppose when I opted to leave out the reasons of why I choose to fish a spot was a bad choice.  As it is likely to be a very important part to answering my first question.  I have been focusing my efforts on submerged holes, humps, rock piles, brush, trees. boats, and old bridges.  Though my source of finding the fish of late is green weeds.  They are few and far between but I do find some still. We have shad in the river. I can see that shad all over the green weeds.  I fish the edges of those green weeds and shad trying to pick up the bass that might following the bait fish.  A slow retrieve with a a shad colored spinner bait or tube have been my searching tools.  I am new to fishing the tube but it has been good to me.  I really like its versatility in presentation.  I normally switch to the tube when I see a bass follow my spinner but not eat it.  I have found success picking up that fish or one that was around its location using the tube like a jerk bait.  I cover water pretty good.  I fish stretches of  structure and or cover then move on to the next.  I also fish small spots with structure and/or cover.  I can catch multiple fish in a day by doing this but I have a very hard time catching multiple fish on the stretch.  I am left scratching my head wondering what I did wrong to not catch more than one fish of a 50 feet of green weeds.  Maybe that is normal for fall fishing here.           

[Rick Howard]

Sam, I was typing while you posted your response.  Thank you and some very good information.  I had no idea about the Alabama fans.  Maybe you can explain better .  I just got done with work too so... Ima try some fishing.  

[Lumberjack_lou]

Being a rookie to fishing after Labor Day, I have been reading about about fall fishing since Labor Day.  I learned some things and confirmed some of my suspicions.  Most of the articles mention that once you find the fish you should be able to catch multiple fish in that area.  I must be missing something. I am going to skip why I am fishing the spot and bait selection and get to the part when I actually catch a fish .  Once I catch a fish I thoroughly fish that area trying to recreate the previous bite.  When that fails I mix up presentations and baits and cover all the available structure and cover around.  Still... Seems I can only manage one fish.  What gives? What am I missing?

 

I do not have electronics on my boat.  I know, I know I am missing out.  I have been eyeballing a HumminBird Helix 7 with DI/SI.  I've been doing my homework on that front.  Honestly though, I fish the same river all the time.  Been fishing it since I was 2 years old.  My old man has fished it for 65+ years and has taught me what he knows about the river.  I am not suggesting that electronics would not be helpful or show me some new stuff.  But in order to go out and have a good day fishing, the need for electronics has not been here.  I have plans to fish some new water though.  This got me thinking on a few things.  How would I know where to fish in these places.  The first answer was not electronics.  Clearly electronics would be the an answer though.  For sake of a topic lets thrown throw depth finders out.  Maps are a given so lets throw those out as well.  What are some natural indicators to finding fish?  I have a small list of things I look for.  I would like to pick the brains of others to add to my list...  For the record, I am not trying to avoid buying a fish finder, debating the benefits of a fish finder, suggesting that there is a better alternative to a fish finder.  My purpose is to learn some more about fishing while sitting on my couch cause I can't go fishing.   

 

1) Visible cover

2) Boiling Bait Fish

3) Fish eating birds

4) Fish feeding at the surface

Best thing I would say is use a crankbait (between 10’ and 18’) to try and find a few fish then switch to a football jig to try and see what the bottom composition is. At the very least you get a few just messing around and best case you find what they are holding on and can jump around to those types of banks. I fish the Monongahela a lot and where I start is by fishing where the change in bank steepness is. I feel like deeper water is closer to the bank and the bass like to stack up there. I then move to the inside turns of the river mainly for the slower currents and logs like to collect on the bottom. But above all just keep throwing and try to hit something on the bottom with your crank to make them hit. I fished my river with no electronics for about three years before I got my bass boat so it’s not impossible. Keep an eye on the bank and it usually leads you to the fish. 

 

Lou

[BaitMonkey1984]

Nothing beats time on the water. However, there is so much information out there nowadays that you can learn a great deal. My local paper has a weekly outdoor column with a fishing report. These have greta helped me out key in on what the fish are doing. For example, if I get a nationally publicized BM that information may not be helpful. For example when they say use these baits and not these baits, what geograph are they referring to. Here in MA, I highly doubt that BM is considering my geograph. Most likely it is the south where the heart of the fishing is. 

[Rick Howard]

Thanks all.

[long island basser]

The majority of what you read is based on large southern reservoirs with largemouth bass and Shad as baitfish. You can't apply everything you read to a northern River.

Tom

So true....the lakes and ponds I fish are all under 100 acres, and none contain shad.

It's more of a bass here and a bass there. Never seem to catch a bunch in one spot during the fall on my waters.

[scaleface]

I have caught bass in a river during the coldest months , as long as it hasnt froze . I simply look for current breaks and fish small grubs on the bottom . A black jig head with white eye and black pupil teamed with a clear grub with flake in it has been a good lure . I dont catch a lot and they are most always little during these times ,but  I just like to get out .

[Spankey]

Being a river rat also. I can sense some of your frustration. Been there. Will be there again. Just the way it goes. I've been fishing a long time. I don't have the foggiest idea where they go in the winter.

I do know they move location even if just slightly. My patterns fishes patterns have changed September vs. October vs. November. I have not caught a smallie on a crank bait in weeks. I'm not even throwing it at this point. Soft plastics the only thing working at this point. Fishing real slow.

We have a big rain coming in tomorrow. I think my season will be over.

You don't need real sophisticated electronics to fish the river. The basics for contour will be a big help.

[WRB]

I had a feeling this might be true.  I try to consider the source of my information though.  I try to pay particular attention to northern fisherman because of this.  Again most of the articles are written about natural lakes.  So I try to apply the information to see what works for me.  

 

The river I fish is an outlet for a pretty well known lake.  It is not very deep.  In most areas the deepest spots are 10-15 feet.  It does get deeper than that in some areas but on average 10-15 feet is max.  There are some deep holes around. Most often those are occupied by other anglers (this in not a complaint).  Also the current is almost non existent in most of the river.  Near locks and damns you find it and near some bridge pilings you see some but the rest of the river is very slow moving.  I find the wind more influencing than current most places here.     

 

I suppose when I opted to leave out the reasons of why I choose to fish a spot was a bad choice.  As it is likely to be a very important part to answering my first question.  I have been focusing my efforts on submerged holes, humps, rock piles, brush, trees. boats, and old bridges.  Though my source of finding the fish of late is green weeds.  They are few and far between but I do find some still. We have shad in the river. I can see that shad all over the green weeds.  I fish the edges of those green weeds and shad trying to pick up the bass that might following the bait fish.  A slow retrieve with a a shad colored spinner bait or tube have been my searching tools.  I am new to fishing the tube but it has been good to me.  I really like its versatility in presentation.  I normally switch to the tube when I see a bass follow my spinner but not eat it.  I have found success picking up that fish or one that was around its location using the tube like a jerk bait.  I cover water pretty good.  I fish stretches of  structure and or cover then move on to the next.  I also fish small spots with structure and/or cover.  I can catch multiple fish in a day by doing this but I have a very hard time catching multiple fish on the stretch.  I am left scratching my head wondering what I did wrong to not catch more than one fish of a 50 feet of green weeds.  Maybe that is normal for fall fishing here.

A few rivers in your are may have gizzard Shad, more than likely you are seeing herring that can servive water temps lower than 45 degrees. Try a blue back herring colored suspending jerk bait, hard or soft, should work.

Tom

[Mainebass1984]

I fish a lot of rivers in Maine and Vermont. I have found that spring time is usually best. In the spring the water is up and they can be much warmer then the lake or pond. Typically I have found that high water draws the fish out form the lake or pond it is connected to and they set up to feed in the river if it isn't too far from the pond. There are many factors that dictate how I fish a river, current, weather, time of year, woody cover, rock, clay, clarity, water temperature are a couple. Without knowing what river you are fishing and the type and amount of available cover it is difficult for me to really give you a clear answer. I fish a select few rivers as long as it is safe to do so. I am always fishing from my boat. What I have observed lately in the rivers I like to fish is that they have moved away from areas with decent current and are in deep water holes. Particularly deeper water holes where there is a steep bank. Generally I target these areas with a jig hitting all cover I can see or have located. I have great luck this time of year targeting laydowns out of the current in deeper water. Boulders/rock/gravel can also be very good this time of year especially targeting smallmouth. If I get into a few fish in a particular spot I anchor. It allows me to focus less on boat control and stay exactly where I want to be, focusing on catching fish. In spring I do find fish stacked up and man if you find them don't leave them. Clay banks where crawfish are emerging from there winter burrows can result in unbelievable fishing in the spring. In the fall, especially later in the fall like now, I find most fish in deeper wintering holes or have moved in to the lake/pond for the winter.

[Rick Howard]

Yes Tom, they are gizzard shad.