Are the bass getting ready for winter already???

[Bassnajr]

Hey all...

I was just wondering with the several cold nights we have had here in Rhode Island (Northeast) has anyone else noticed that the bass are strating to move out of their summer areas??

ajr

[Cigarlover 1]

After catching bass all summer in the pads the last 2 times I've been out I haven't even had so much as a strike fishing topwater pads. Kinda dissappointing. I was really having fun with that pattern this year.

[masssilversrt4]

Last week got 2 3lbers out out of the pads.. this week none. Water level at the pond I fish at has dropped about 2 feet. (Gate is open at the dam) Lots of smaller fish around..

Got 3 today at work in the same spots they always are so not really sure if patterns are changing or not.

[Cigarlover 1]

Last couple times I've been out have been after some cold rains so not really sure if they've moved or were just not very active. If the temps stay the same it would suprise me if they start to move soon if they haven't already.

[Tony Lopez]

Its been pretty tough lately.  I agree with most of you guys as far as the fishing moving off the pads.  We have pulled some open water fish in about 15' of water in sunken weed patches.  The water is starting to drop in my home lake as well, and loading the boat is already getting more difficult.  I think most of this is due to the unsteady weather.  The only solid bites I'm getting are after serious thunder and lightning storms blow through.

[Mobydick]

The last week has really slowed down, i've started to catch em deeper already. I think everything is early this year.

[J Francho]

Anytime there is instability in the weather, the bass' activity level and/or location could change.  Electronics, knowledge of the lake's structure and cover, should help to clue you in to their location.

[Tony Lopez]

I agree as far as using technology and knowledge to locate the fish, however lately the fish aren't any where to be found.  I fish my home lake atleast once a week and know it like the back of my hand.  Regardless of knowledge, the just aren't biting...

[J Francho]

The original question was about whether the bass moved.  They move all the time, weather or no weather.  Catching them is another story.  It's slowed down a bit, but I have been catching them all week, and a friend in a club tx. reports quantities, along with some 4's and 5's, today.  Maybe you're not fishing where the fish are.  Unless its a case of the fish moving somewhere inaccessible, you should be able to at least locate some fish and maybe catch them.  Since each lake is different, its hard to be specific.  Most of my fish have been coming off deeper weed edges off flats adjacent to main lake points.  I cue in on those points that have a strong secondary point.  Most fish have come from water 8-14' deep.

[Bassnajr]

I am catching fish...

I just had to switch techniques. What worked last week ain't working this week. What I should have asked was, "Are the bass getting ready for winter already??"

I'll modify the post.

Thanks for all the input.

Alan

[J Francho]

"Are the bass getting ready for winter already??"

No.  They are following typical summer patterns.  Its August 22, and here its 90°F.  Yes, there were lows in the 40s the past week, but they aren't get ready for winter.  Hope the advice in my other post helps.

[mferris]

most of the articles i've read will tell you the bass don't start moving out until the weeds start dying off...

[=Matt 5.0=]

This year has sucked, plain and simple. The only thing that could salvage it now would be some killer blues, or cow stripers this September/October. '

Caught ONE fish on a topwater all summer. With the  lure that AJR gave me, the pimped hula poppers never even got a whiff, J-bug was a bust..nada, nothing....bring on '09 I guess.  :-/

[CRFisher]

Saw some nice stripers schooling in the narrow channel at Long Wharf today.  Went on a whale watch with the wife and kids.  Wish I bought my rod with me for the wait, saw more bass in the 10 minutes before and after the watch than I have all summer.

The bite has seemed to get a little better as of late.  It was a weird summer weather wise, maybe that had something to do with it.  Hooked two good size ones yesterday (both deeper water), one threw the hook, but I'm hoping it's the start of the bite getting a little better to finish off the summer.