VA Fall Feed

[IMPY03]

So all you Virginia guys around here, what month do you consider the Fall feed to be in full swing? I have a hard time remembering when it really starts to cool down but I'm thinking around mid sept. to mid Nov. would be the perfect time to be on the water. This will be my first time fishing the fall and I'm very excited!

[Wayne P.]

In recent years it has been October. The weather patterns have everything to do with it and the best time is totally dependent on it. The weatherman can't even get the forecast correct for the next day much less what it's going to be like in a couple of months. You will just have to wait and see when Fall-like weather occurs.

[JCrzy4Bass]

Imp you're almost right on with mid september.  At least that's when the fishing really starts to pick up and cranks become a good go to bait again.  I had my best month of the year in September of last year (most and biggest fish, aside from July when I caught a few nice ones).  

It seems this is the time of the year that topwater plugs like spooks, minnow stick baits, etc and other subsurface crankbaits like Mann's crankbaits, bandits, etc seem to start slaughtering em'.

It also seems like this is the time of the year the fish are most vulnerable around here and easiest to catch.  Ponds really start turning on around this time as most of my luck on my local puddles/holes came about this time last year.  

Right after the algae mats die away and the dead vegetation gets a couple feet below the surface clearing some room on top for spinners and your shallow running baits seems to be great.  Note: Not immediately as they start dying as that time can be one of the most UNPRODUCTIVE times as my dad and I found out on the Potomac recently (other pros doing tourneys there stated the same this day).

Other great baits to consider this time of year are lipless crankbaits (for big bass).  Countdown Rapalas also have their place.  It's easy to figure out where they are at in the water column during this time by using those.  Experiment with retrieves to see where they are situated along the drops offs at your lakes, whether they are coming shallower or suspending these baits will find them.  

Once the water cools mid-fall to late fall (50-60 degree water temp) it's all about the hard jerkbaits (think Rapala Originals, X-Raps, Berkley Frenzy Minnows) and soft jerkbaits like Senkos texas rigged or wacky rigged, etc.

Hope this helps.

[rondef]

I had good luck last fall (late September through December) with some nice bass however I caught my biggest bass (5.5lbs) of 2007 in December on a lipless crankbait.

[IMPY03]

Thanks for the info!

Yeah Im really excited because it'll be my first year fishing the fall and my gramps hates hot weather so therefore he doesnt like to get out on the water as often during the summer time but he loves the fall so I have a feeling we'll get to do a good amount of bassin' for the remainder of the year  ;D

[slomoe]

Nothin like a slight breeze, just enough to be able to rock a hoodie. I've had enough of these dog days, My personal best last year came on 12/29/06. But for the most part I think your right mid Sept.- Nov.

I took a week off starting the first day of Autumn.   ;D

[flippin4it.]

            It has always been mid - late October when to "feed" seems to start. It is always a great indicator when the spinnerbait bite heats up.  Just wait and see.

[Avalonjohn44]

I hit about 6 ponds with frequency, and the fall bite starts in early October for me... This is the only time of year I can consistently catch fish on a Chatterbait.

Slomoe -  Crazy avatar!  Makes me dizzy.  I mean dizzier...

[slomoe]

Slomoe - Crazy avatar! Makes me dizzy. I mean dizzier...

You are getting sleeeepy.....very very sleepy    ;D

[Dan:]

            It has always been mid - late October when to "feed" seems to start. It is always a great indicator when the spinnerbait bite heats up. Just wait and see.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails!

[robchoi]

I CAN'T WAIT!!!  If any of you are near Richmond, perhaps I may join you (if you want some company) when it gets going.

[SimonSays]

            It has always been mid - late October when to "feed" seems to start. It is always a great indicator when the spinnerbait bite heats up. Just wait and see.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails!

same here, swimbaits all the way =D! Had a ton of luck with swim senko's last year, maybe try some mattlures this year for another lunker at pocahontas

[flippin4it.]

            It has always been mid - late October when to "feed" seems to start. It is always a great indicator when the spinnerbait bite heats up.  Just wait and see.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails!

same here, swimbaits all the way =D! Had a ton of luck with swim senko's last year, maybe try some mattlures this year for another lunker at pocahontas

          Throw a swim bait for 30 minutes then throw a spinnerbait for 30 minutes. Go back and forth and let me know what catches more  fish in the fall.  

[Dan:]

            It has always been mid - late October when to "feed" seems to start. It is always a great indicator when the spinnerbait bite heats up. Just wait and see.

Screw spinnerbaits, I'm throwing paddletails!

same here, swimbaits all the way =D! Had a ton of luck with swim senko's last year, maybe try some mattlures this year for another lunker at pocahontas

      Throw a swim bait for 30 minutes then throw a spinnerbait for 30 minutes. Go back and forth and let me know what catches more fish in the fall.

That's not a bad idea, I have new spinners and swimbaits that I can't wait to try once the fish turn the feed on. I've been using both in similar situations but tending to use more swimbaits than spinners just for the reason that they are newer to me.

[JShrock07]

Spinnerbaits are the key in the fall. Yea you may catch some with a swim bait but you will have much better luck throwing a spinnerbait. Another thing I like to throw is deep diving cranks deep to shallow bouncing it off the bottom.