Favorite part of fall fishing

[gim]

1 hour ago, ironbjorn said:

Fall is the Earth's yearly terminal diagnosis. It only has a couple more months to live before winter brings its yearly death, and we are soon stuck inside, the water locked up with ice, waiting for months to get back out there. I don't enjoy it. Summer all the way for me.

One would argue that based on the most recent summer we just experienced, full of drought, wildfire smoke, and blazing hot record shattering temperatures for months on end, summer is the earth's annual "death", not winter.  But nevermind those facts.

 

2 hours ago, BigAngus752 said:

Fall fishing doesn't start until the water is close to 50. 

That's odd.  Once the water temps drop to below 50 here, its "winter" and I'm done for the season.

[TnRiver46]

47-49 is my fav water temp but we won’t get there until after the fall 

[Dwight Hottle]

September 21st 2017 my last fall trip on Erie.

 

 

 

 

[ironbjorn]

31 minutes ago, gimruis said:

One would argue that based on the most recent summer we just experienced, full of drought, wildfire smoke, and blazing hot record shattering temperatures for months on end, summer is the earth's annual "death", not winter.  But nevermind those facts.

 

That's odd.  Once the water temps drop to below 50 here, its "winter" and I'm done for the season.

I'm as big a believer in the disastrous effects of climate change as anyone, but nobody is neverminding those facts because the real fact is that winter is when the annual die off of plants and insects occurs, and when many animals hibernate, and when the sun becomes scarce, and very few things grow. Winter is factually the death of the earth where and when it occurs, to be reborn again in the spring. Those are the real facts.

[TnRiver46]

Fall: when mosquitos go back to hell where they came from 

[Skunkmaster-k]

I like the way bass bunch back up and corral shad in coves . 

[king fisher]

Buzz Baits

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

4 hours ago, ol'crickety said:

In Maine, knowing that the ice and snow are coming, I treasure the last casts and the last bass. Perhaps surprisingly, there are moments when I don't cast, when I lay the rod in front of me, and just witness. I really listen to the geese, feel the canoe rocking beneath me, smell the musky sweetness of the decaying leaves, and am grateful for the crimsoned maple trees. Being an old woman with far fewer fishing days ahead than behind, my wistful witnessing matters more than ever.

You have a way with words. I’m not joking when It’s a pleasure to read your posts. 

Edit.  When I say it’s a pleasure to read your posts 

Edit.. sorry I messed that up 

[Bankc]

Chasing balls of baitfish as they bust through the surface.  You'll find one, fish it a minute, maybe catch something, and then it's gone.  A few minutes later, you see them busting the surface a hundred feet away, and it's back on!  No need for electronics.  Just keep your eyes peeled!

[Team9nine]

For sure, less people. Summer crowds are gone, kids are back in school, and hunting season takes many of the remaining anglers off the water. Cooler temps and fall colors are just an added bonus.

[BigAngus752]

4 hours ago, gimruis said:

One would argue that based on the most recent summer we just experienced, full of drought, wildfire smoke, and blazing hot record shattering temperatures for months on end, summer is the earth's annual "death", not winter.  But nevermind those facts.

 

That's odd.  Once the water temps drop to below 50 here, its "winter" and I'm done for the season.

55-48 is usually my sweet spot on 2 lakes. 

[Darth-Baiter]

I can sleep in longer since the sun comes up later, and I look good in a hoodie!

 

and fall hats.  I can’t forget hats.
 

 

[TnRiver46]

^the masked man revealed!!! Nice hat! 

[DaubsNU1]

Have not fished fall much…as waterfowl season and deer season ramp up. With a new boat this year, I think that will change. 

 

Of course the 2 year old Yellow Lab really enjoys chasing ducks! And my brother has a 1 year old Yellow Lab chomping a the bit. 

[Zcoker]

Fall weather is wonderful down here in south Florida, absolutely wonderful. I love the crisp fall air, that feeling of change, the far reaching blue sky, many such things inspire exploration. Not only is the weather nice but the fishing is spectacular! We have our famous fall mullet run that kicks in, bringing in some of the best fishing on the planet. Grab a rod, walk the beach, and hook into monster tarpon or giant jacks or big snook...the list is endless! Bass fishing is just as good. We don't have much of a fall transition, so the fish are pretty much the same all year round. Fall just makes things so much more pleasant to go out and catch them. As hot as it's been down here lately, it's a big relief to get away from the raging heat. It's been like Death Valley this year!

[Basstermind]

Like most here, I love the cooler temps and changing of the leaves.  As an NC State fan, it's also nice to forget the most recent debacle on the gridiron and go catch LMB like this one I snagged today ?

 

[T-Billy]

Early December fish. 40 degree air, 40 degree water. Happy Hillbilly. Late fall is monster season.

EARLY spring is also monster season.

[Susky River Rat]

Fall is amazing. Less people. The chance at good fish. No bugs. No heat stroke. It’s not humid. Sundays on the water are bare due to people watching football.  I just love fall on and off the water. At this rate though it looks as if I may not get on the water till spring. Either way, I am going to enjoy the best time of the year!

[gim]

@T-Billy our lakes are frozen by December and we can't legally target a bass or a muskie in the early spring.  Although there is some movement on opening bass season up to C & R year round now.  Muskie season will definitely not be changing here, it is open from mid June to December 1, otherwise it is closed.

[T-Billy]

2 minutes ago, gimruis said:

@T-Billy our lakes are frozen by December and we can't legally target a bass or a muskie in the early spring.  Although there is some movement on opening bass season up to C & R year round now.  Muskie season will definitely not be changing here, it is open from mid June to December 1, otherwise it is closed.

I feel for ya. Some states have some silly fishing regulations.

Get out there and throw an A-rig with some 4.8 Keitech Fat's on it if you get a chance this fall once the water gets into the low 50's, all the way down to high 30's. Ya might just experience the best muskie fishing you ever have. It's easy fishing compared to blades and cranks too.

Just find some big baitfish schools around structure and SLOW roll that thing.

[gim]

5 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Ya might just experience the best muskie fishing you ever have.

Quite often here the biggest muskies of the entire season are caught in early to mid November because it coincides with the cisco/tulibee spawn in shallow water.  The most recent state record pure strain muskie was caught in November 2021 during this exact time period tossing enormous bulldawgs or medussas.

 

The problem with that is our 9 day deer firearms hunting season always starts in early November and when it comes down to choosing whether to muskie fish or deer hunt, I deer hunt.  I can muskie fish all summer and early fall, but the window to deer hunt is very brief so really feel like I have to take advantage of that.

[T-Billy]

Well there ya go @gimruis, all ya gotta do is whack a giant buck on opening day, then you can muskie fish. ?

[gim]

9 minutes ago, T-Billy said:

Well there ya go @gimruis, all ya gotta do is whack a giant buck on opening day, then you can muskie fish. ?

The ultimate blast n' cast huh

[RB 77]

TTT for Autumn Equinox today. The cooler temps are my favorite thing about it. Good topwater bites don't hurt either. 

[Bankbeater]

Lower temps, less people, and the leaves are falling.  The lures hanging up in the trees are easier to see.