Fall Bass Positioning

[BubbaBassin’]

As we make our way into fall, my little lake is acting odd to day the least. As I understand it, the fall transition is marked by tanking water temps, but here on lake harding, the temps are the same! But the bait is already schooling in the backs of a certain creek, and the shallows are starting to flood with bait. Notice I said bait schooling. Because the bass? They’re either smart, or not here, because there isn’t a bite to be had. At least not for me. The last two tournaments have been won with 15 pound bags, which is astronomical for this lake. But I’m striking out. Wondering if anyone would mind putting in there two cents to help out. TYIA. Tight Lines.

[WRB]

Do you know the water temperature? 

Basically the fall transition started as the surface water temperature drops about 10 degrees from summer water temperatures and the water green vegetation starts to change color away from green.

 The thermocline should be well developed and starting to break up. 

The Shad are looking for plankton to eat, zooplankton for Gizzard and phytoplankton for Threadfin. Plankton moves with wind and sunlight, water temps are not a factor for plankton but a major factor for fish looking for prey to eat.

The most important factor to catch bass is location and depth they are active in, regardless of the seasonal periods.

Tom

PS, Spring up, Fall down for positioning.

[DitchPanda]

My bait started schooling up weeks ago but the bass just started showing up the last week or so. Two weeks ago I was getting 1 to 3 bites a trip...last Thursday I got 9 bites in the same amount of time. A few things are at play I think: the bass are out deep still because they are kinda trying to figure out where the bait disappeared to. Also they don't notice falling temps out deep like they due up shallow because it's a bigger volume of water and takes a little longer to change. I also feel another thing pulling them is Sun angle and length of day just like it does in spring. So be patient ...as the days get a little shorter, the water a little cooler and the bait balls a little tighter the bass will get a lot more aggressive. Last week is a perfect example...Tuesday I got two bites and saw little activity...Wednesday I got 9 bites caught 7 and saw lots of other bass crushing shad balls. It's coming buddy.

[BubbaBassin’]

5 minutes ago, WRB said:

Do you know the water temperature? 

Basically the fall transition started as the surface water temperature drops about 10 degrees from summer water temperatures and the water green vegetation starts to change color away from green.

 The thermocline should be well developed and starting to break up. 

The Shad are looking for plankton to eat, zooplankton for Gizzard and phytoplankton for Threadfin. Plankton moves with wind and sunlight, water temps are not a factor for plankton but a major factor for fish looking for prey to eat.

The most important factor to catch bass is location and depth they are active in, regardless of the seasonal periods.

Tom

The surface temp has been very consistent at 84 degrees, and the surface water willow is still very green. Although we do have some new invasive types that are quickly taking over ie snot grass and hydrilla, but the main creek channels seem very active lately, I just cant present in 30+ feet of water as they are mostly glued to the bottom. The thermocline also seems consistent at exactly 35 feet. But the bait seems to be shallow! It’s very confusing. This is a very fluid and changing sport. There is no steadfast rules to follow and I struggle with that.

I should also mention I experienced the disappearing effect people describe in relation to the fall transition, I was hammering them off of deep riprap, I pulled 3 5+’s off of one spot which is unheard of on this lake on wensday-fri But come monday they were nowhere to be found.

[WRB]

I would say you are in the summer period with lots of young of the baitfish still in and around cover with active bass feeding on the abundance of prey available. 

Tom

[Big Hands]

1 minute ago, WRB said:

Do you know the water temperature? 

Basically the fall transition started as the surface water temperature drops about 10 degrees from summer water temperatures and the water green vegetation starts to change color away from green.

 The thermocline should be well developed and starting to break up. 

The Shad are looking for plankton to eat, zooplankton for Gizzard and phytoplankton for Threadfin. Plankton moves with wind and sunlight, water temps are a factor.

The most important factor to catch bass is location and depth they are active in.

Tom

So I have noticed a change in the general wind pattern the last week or two at Castaic. It used to be out of the west for most of the day, and then shift to more of a SW direction right at the end of the day. Now, I am seeing winds from the east and north later in the day and even during the recent night fishing event. 

 

Should I be looking for bass to vacate some of their summertime homes in favor of banks that the wind blows into?

 

PS: I came across an article you contributed to regarding 'feeding benches'. I know of about seven places that can turn into islands as the water level recedes (one is an island when the lake is full), which I have interpreted to mean they could at some time prior to that be regarded a possible feeding bench (in addition to the handful of long sloping points on the lake). Would these be those benches you refer to?

 

I have not had much luck with jigs (as in no luck at all) and feel like this is an area I'd like to address since it can yield larger fish.

[txchaser]

On 9/15/2020 at 10:19 PM, Big Hands said:

 

PS: I came across an article you contributed to regarding 'feeding benches

Link it?

[lo n slo]

On 9/15/2020 at 3:53 PM, BubbaBassin’ said:

As we make our way into fall, my little lake is acting odd to day the least. As I understand it, the fall transition is marked by tanking water temps, but here on lake harding, the temps are the same! But the bait is already schooling in the backs of a certain creek, and the shallows are starting to flood with bait. Notice I said bait schooling. Because the bass? They’re either smart, or not here, because there isn’t a bite to be had. At least not for me. The last two tournaments have been won with 15 pound bags, which is astronomical for this lake. But I’m striking out. Wondering if anyone would mind putting in there two cents to help out. TYIA. Tight Lines.

my experience with this situation is that the bass can sometimes get tunnel vision on the baitfish and it’s all they want. you must be very specific with your offerings. it can be maddening. some days i’ll throw the kitchen sink at them with little to show for my efforts. other days they’re all over my stuff and life is good again.