When does the bite shut off in the fall?

[archman]

I hit a major river that last two days and landed over 60 smallies. The water was 53-54. A local told me it gets tough when the water hits 52. That seems kind of high to me as I have gotten them between 40-45. 
 

In this river in the spring I have hammered them when the water was 46-48. So wouldn’t that tell you the bite is still good when it’s that cold in the fall? I am usually fishing for steelhead this time of year but that has been slow so I am not that familiar with late fall smallies. 

[MGF]

What part of the country/type of river are you in? Our river is on the small shallow side and I'm thinking bass go way down river to deeper water when it gets cold. Things shut of a couple weeks ago here. Water was 52 last Saturday and I floated/fished several miles of river (that I know very well) and never got a bite. 60 in two days would be stretching it in the very best of times.

 

I can tell you what I've read. That is that bass will stack up in or near wintering areas and you can really catch a bunch if you find them. I don't think my section of river has anything like that. LOL

[Kayak Fishin]

I was just about to post this same question. The local river I fish is about 3 feet deep on average through 3 neighboring towns. There is a certain point in the fall, which I think was today, that the fishing just turns to crap. I was about to post and ask if anyone knows if bass physically leave these locations and go into bigger main rivers, or stay and just don't eat. The fishing drops off by like 90%. At least for me anyway. Couple that with IL winter temps and its almost not even worth it to go out. I have tried every presentation and nothing works. So in regards to the initial post, I'm not sure about date or water temp, but I'm positive this happens on the two rivers I fish. 

[archman]

I fish the Niagara river but just started fishing it hard in the fall. I am 3 hours away. It’s really not your normal river. In the lower I am fishing 4-14 feet. In the upper it’s 5-8 or so. 

[Dwight Hottle]

13 hours ago, archman said:

I fish the Niagara river but just started fishing it hard in the fall. I am 3 hours away. It’s really not your normal river. In the lower I am fishing 4-14 feet. In the upper it’s 5-8 or so. 

 

Your right it's not your normal river. It's probably the best in the country for quality fisheries of numerous species. Just keep fishing it until the smallies fall off then change gears & fish for steelies, lake trout, brown trout, salmon, walleye & musky. Enjoy & post up some pictures. 

[archman]

8 hours ago, Dwight Hottle said:

 

Your right it's not your normal river. It's probably the best in the country for quality fisheries of numerous species. Just keep fishing it until the smallies fall off then change gears & fish for steelies, lake trout, brown trout, salmon, walleye & musky. Enjoy & post up some pictures. 

Dwight do you have much experience on the Niagara? It’s pretty much jerkbait heaven for me. The only thing that stops me is the floating moss and weeds in the summer. Here are some pics from my recent trips. 

[Dwight Hottle]

11 hours ago, archman said:

Dwight do you have much experience on the Niagara? It’s pretty much jerkbait heaven for me. The only thing that stops me is the floating moss and weeds in the summer. Here are some pics from my recent trips. 

 

Yes I do. When I lived in Ohio & PA we fished it the fall for salmon up at Devils Hole for a few years. Later on I fished it for steelhead & lake trout in late fall & early spring. I also fished it a little for walleye, smallies, brown trout & a couple of December musky trips. On my 50th birthday my wife & I fished it for lake trout mostly at the bar, the Niagara bar. My goal was to catch 50 lake trout on my 50th birthday between the two of us.  We only caught 48 lakers mostly in the 8-12 lb range. It was a blast catching that many fish in late March. I have a lot of fond memories fishing that river with close friends.  

I only fished it a few times with stick plugs what we used to call jerkbaits. Mostly floating rapalas & rebel minnows. With the strong current you could really set up a great drift pattern with both DD jerkbaits & suspending shallow baits. That strong current really puts the advantage in the fishes favor. 

 

[Dwight Norris]

I have been wondering how late I can fish into the season for smallmouth bass. I recently discovered they were right down the street, but it super small numbers. It seems knowing what area of moving water to fish will help you find more, but I am still learning. Once the snow falls do you still have good luck with them or do you have to change your gear up. I have been getting them with a 2.5 inch Rapala Husky Jerk (Black/Silver)

[DogBone_384]

On 11/17/2020 at 3:12 PM, Dwight Norris said:

I have been wondering how late I can fish into the season for smallmouth bass.

 

I caught SMB in 40.2 degree water this past January.  I use blade baits, suspending jerk baits (L O N G pauses), and tubes almost exclusively in cold water.

[TnRiver46]

10 hours ago, DogBone_384 said:

 

I caught SMB in 40.2 degree water this past January.  I use blade baits, suspending jerk baits (L O N G pauses), and tubes almost exclusively in cold water.

That’s all you ever need to put a hurtin on winter smallies

[Reel]

When it gets colder than that, the drop shot still works.

[DogBone_384]

On 12/30/2020 at 8:47 AM, TnRiver46 said:

That’s all you ever need to put a hurtin on winter smallies

Dunno about that... That's what I used yesterday and struck out... going back tomorrow and am adding a hair jigs and ned rig for insurance.

[TnRiver46]

38 minutes ago, DogBone_384 said:

Dunno about that... That's what I used yesterday and struck out... going back tomorrow and am adding a hair jigs and ned rig for insurance.

Haha! Well certainly not a guarantee, especially up in your chilly waters