Confusion level over 100%

[EGbassing]

I've been fishing a lot all fall and haven't had a bite all fall until today. It's been pretty steadily around 65 - 80 down here, but today the temperatures just plummeted down to the 40s. The water got a lot clearer since a couple days ago. I went fishing this afternoon and almost got the rod pulled out of my hand on my first cast. (I panicked and set the hook with about four feet of slack line, of course) The thing is, my T-rig was about a foot off the bank no where near cover. Pretty soon I casted near some weeds right off the bank, almost got the rod pulled out of my hand again, and set the hook way too late; lost that one too. Then I moved out to the deep part of the pond for a while and didn't see any signs of fish life. I thought they were supposed to go deep in the winter...? They're in the same spots that I was catching them in all spring and they are active. There were ripples, splashes, wakes, etc. everywhere in the shallows. This is not normal. ?

[Smokinal]

The rules are: there are no rules

 

The fact of the matter is there are more factors that play into where bass are located on a given day than time of year; weather that day, weather the prior week, baitfish movement, sun, clouds, barametric pressure, water temp etc...

 

I was out last Sunday, water was down to 46 degrees; we brutalized 'em in 4-7 ft all morning long on traps, jerkbaits and a DT10 slowly grinding bottom with a sweep/pause. I caught 34 and my buddy caught 37 I believe.

 

You said they're in the same spots they were in the spring...that's actually very common in the fall. Personally, I believe there are always shallow fish; all year long. Sure, some go deep but, for one thing, deep is relative the the body of water. And the ones that do go deep, I believe they go later into winter. I plan on catching them in this 4-7 ft area for at least another 3-4 weeks.

[Scott F]

You may be rushing the winter season a bit. I’m sure your water temps didn’t drop too far yet. Keep fishing around weeds that are still green as long as they are around. The bass will probably not go very deep until the water gets much colder than it is right now. 

[slonezp]

Pond fishing is going to be different from lake fishing which will be different from river fishing. Deep is a relative term. Find the forage. The fish will be near.

[Dens228]

My favorite spot had a water temp of 82-83 this summer.  This past week the water has been 50-52.  I've caught every bass except one in less than 5 feet of water.  The only deeper bass was also the smallest!

[Koz]

I agree with the comment above that you're not at the winter fishing point just yet.

 

That being said, even in winter months bass will still cruise into shallow waters. But in the winter these trips up the hill are less often and for a lesser duration than in the warmer months. Because of that you are less likely to catch a bass in shallower water in the winter and that's why most people that fish in the winter fish deeper waters.

[bassh8er]

Ain’t winter yet bruh.

[Sam]

They are going shallow to fatten up for the winter and to find some warmer water.

 

When you got the hits the bass were in the area seeking food.

 

This is why you always are ready to set the hook on all casts.

 

You never know where they will be, especially at this time of the year when they sense winter coming and are going to feed a lot in the grass, pads or shallows.

[The Bassman]

23 minutes ago, Sam said:

They are going shallow to fatten up for the winter and to find some warmer water.

 

I used to subscribe to the notion that bass are like bears.  Being cold blooded creatures they don't need to store up energy. They eat at varying degrees governed by water temp. As you mentioned they do in fact gravitate towards warmer water, though.

[scaleface]

6 hours ago, bassh8er said:

Ain’t winter yet bruh.

Especially in Alabama . I caught over 100 fish the past week and a half , shallow on spinnerbaits in northern Missouri 

[EGbassing]

4 hours ago, Sam said:

They are going shallow to fatten up for the winter and to find some warmer water.

 

When you got the hits the bass were in the area seeking food.

 

This is why you always are ready to set the hook on all casts.

 

You never know where they will be, especially at this time of the year when they sense winter coming and are going to feed a lot in the grass, pads or shallows.

Thanks. I'm going back out today with a chatterbait to just cover the shallows and see if they're still there. One bite and I'll switch to a texas rig and try to pick them off.

[Sam]

1 hour ago, EGbassing said:

Thanks. I'm going back out today with a chatterbait to just cover the shallows and see if they're still there. One bite and I'll switch to a texas rig and try to pick them off.

Don't forget your drop shot and wacky Senkos.

[everythingthatswims]

Sounds like buzzbait time to me