temperature swings

[jbmaine]

 As of right now the current overnight temperature in our fishing area is down to 29 degrees. By this weekend it's supposed to be in the eighties. We are seeing 30 - 40 degree temp. swings between night and day.  Couple that with the usual fall draw down of the lake levels, and it gets interesting figuring out fishing patterns. 

 How do you handle major temp. swings ?

[Glaucus]

You'll have to wait on someone better than me to help you out.

 

I'm just here to say WOW! You're getting below freezing temps already barely halfway through September?

[DanielG]

I live where JBMaine does... 38 degrees this morning... it's gonna hit 80 in three days. Three days of anomalous warm weather then it's cold again. The days are nice though 50's-60's. Makes for working outside nice. Still shorts and t-shirt at those temps. We linger with summer and act as if winter isn't here yet. If you're still in your shorts it's still summer.

 

JB, I haven't figured out how to handle temperature fishing patterns. The fish simply disappear. Not even many on my Garmin. I think I need to fish the shallow areas with weeds in the southern end of the lake. Haven't done that yet. Maybe they are there?

Anyway, a drawdown on the lake beginning Oct 1. All boats out to work on the dam this fall. Short season.

[Sam]

Air temps are important for us and water temps are important for the bass and controls the bass' behavior and feeding.

 

You need to take the water temperature with your boat's electronics or a swimming pool thermometer to see what it is.

 

You then plan your attack based on the water temperatures, understanding that the warmest water is on the western and northern banks first and in the back of creeks later in the day.  You also know that rocks will hold heat which can attract bass.

 

Water takes longer to change its temperature than air so although you are getting air temps down into the 30's the water temperature may be in the 50's or 60's until it starts to drop with longer and lower air temperature.

 

Also, the bass metabolize their food based on water temperatures. The lower the water temperature the longer for the bass to digest its food. And the bass, sensing winter is around the corner, will start to feed to fatten up now and then find a nice place to hide and for safety as the winter arrives, shutting down the bite.

 

Good luck and let us know what you caught in what temperature water.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Catt]

Right on @Sam ?

 

I would venture to guess frontal conditions?

 

We experiencing swings in water temperatures as Tropical Depression Imelda continues to bring heavy rain to our area. 

 

The type of front helps us determine where to look. In my case the water temperature dropped from the 90s to the 70s. This scattered the fish out & they started activity feeding.

 

From your description of not seeing on fish on your electronics I would believe they're holding tight to cover or buried up in it

[TnRiver46]

Oh how I long for those temperatures! Still close to 100 most days here, and a humid 70+ early in the morning before sunrise 

[WRB]

SoCal "normal" day to night temperature swing is 35 degrees F. The difference is we fall below 32 degrees, under 3,000 ft altitude, only a few times during mid winter. 

As Sam noted it's all about water temps for warm species like bass. The volume of the water, size and depth, dictates how air temps affect the surface water. Shallow lakes and ponds cold air can change water temps quickly, large deep lake it a long time to affect the water column temps.

Another factor to consider is current that mixes the water column like cold wind and draw downs that can turnover the water column quickly.

I am sure as I reply turnover threads will start to appear, it's a fall seasonal change for the majority of bass lakes that creates a major impact for anglers.

Tom

[boostr]

Post cold front,  go shallow hitting structure and cover. Hit the creeks as well.

[NHBull]

Similar situation here in NH and surface water Temps are now around 65.

I believe length of day and amount of sun plays a more important part than cold Temps at night.

Mid day fishing on points leading to back coves along with deeper channel currents as water level drops are my focus

[Catt]

Transitioning from summer into fall is accompanied with frontal weather. 

 

The type of front & severity will have different effects on the bass, their location, & mood.

 

We have a tropical depression down south, a hurricane off the east coast, high pressure over across central & western.

 

[The Bassman]

56 minutes ago, Catt said:

Transitioning from summer into fall is accompanied with frontal weather. 

 

The type of front & severity will have different effects on the bass, their location, & mood.

 

We have a tropical depression down south, a hurricane off the east coast, high pressure over across central & western.

 

Good job with the weather, Catt. But I still prefer it from the girls on the Weather Channel.

[WRB]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

Transitioning from summer into fall is accompanied with frontal weather. 

 

The type of front & severity will have different effects on the bass, their location, & mood.

 

We have a tropical depression down south, a hurricane off the east coast, high pressure over across central & western.

 

I vote for Imelda having the weather impact of concern at the moment for Catt followed by Area of Concern.

Tom

[Catt]

Back to the original topic ?

 

Low water levels due to fall drawdown, resulting in movement of the bait & bass.

 

Seasonal transition from summer into fall, resulting in movement of bait & bass.

 

Frontal conditions causing temperatures swings, resulting in movement of bait & bass.

 

I would look for the bait first, they will be easier to see with electronics. The bass themselves will be tight to cover, I mean their nose right up against it or in it or under it.

[jbmaine]

Thanks everyone, appreciate the info.

                                 Jim

[TnRiver46]

Now we are getting mid 60s at night and mid 80s during the day . Feels better