Fall fishing

[lovecranking]

Ok, I'm in southern Wisconsin and it looks like fall is finally arriving and I need some advice from all of you. I'm on a large clear lake, no structure near shore except a few docks that are still in, water temps are between 63-65 and the last 3 trips out have been real slow. I know to start looking for drop offs near weeds. I've tried cranks (both shallow & deep), topwater, senkos, fat ikas, lizards and power beasts on weedless jigs. The only ones that have produced are rick clunns 2.5(trolling in 20 fow), the lucky craft g-splash(in 10 fow) and senkos(near shore). What would be your 2 or 3 suggestions to try right now? Also for northern lakes, what water temps will tell you that the lake is starting to turn over? Once the lake does turns, what would usually be the water temp range that you look for that tells you that bass are just not active enough to fish and you're done for the year? Thanks for the input.

[roadwarrior]

#1 Suspending jerkbaits, especially targeting steeply sloped points. In low light, patrolling bass are usually VERY aggressive on and near this type of structure.

#2 Rat-L-Trap type lures: Yo-Zuri RatlN' Vibe & Drum, Lucky Craft LV-300 & LV-500Max.

#3 Deeper running lures: DD22, Fat Free Shad and LC Staysee.

[bass109]

X-rap deep 10

rat-L-trap

rapala husky jerk

rattin rapala

spinnerbait

grubs can help

[Bassnajr]

Heh!

I am from Rhode Island and fall has arrived here to. I'm no expert, but here's something that worked for me this week:

Rocks sticking out of the water obviosly absorb heat. The water arounf the rocks stays fairly war. The fish tend to hang around them. I read this last week in one of the Bass magazines. I caught a 3.5 lb. LM using a Fleck spinner bait fishing a rock pile. It worked for me .Good Luck,

bassinajr

[jaystraw]

I've been having good luck off points and submerged rocks. Today I caught all my fish in more that 5 feet of water casting away from shoreline structure.. In fact, I caught my PB today on a 4 inch senko in about 10 feet of water...I just decided to cast away from structure to try and fish deeper...it paid off with this 6 pounder:

I also have had good luck with the silver Rapalla f9 and f11.

[dman]

Lately wacky rigged Senkos and tubes have been workin for me in clear water,  I'm in PA so fall is hitting late here as well

[Jorge Campos]

van someone please tell me what the best way to fish senkos is? how do you fish them?

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

Everything you need to know about Senkos:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1121527643

[rondef]

Nice fish Jaystraw.  I also have really good luck with senkos.  My PB (3.5 lb) was caught using a swim senko and the best day (10 LMB's) was also using swim senkos.  I am still trying to improve on my PB and hope to land a lunker soon.

[Davis]

Last night I lost a big boy and caught two other LMB on a weedless football jighead 1/4 ounce.

Had a GYCB Watermelon Red Flake Hula double tail grub on the jighead. Just dragging it over the rocks.

Maybe try that? Because like you I had no luck about a week ago when a cold front passed in. I'm in Western NY. But the Fat IKA bite did heat up a bit as well earlier this week.

[lovecranking]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm heading out tomorrow & plan to try them. Does anyone have any info on when a lake turns over? As I said, I'm on a deep clear northern lake, what water temp should I look for that will tell me the lake is starting to turn? Also at what water temp range do you call it quits for the year because the bass are no longer active enough to fish? Thanks for the help & info.

[Davis]

Thanks for the suggestions, I'm heading out tomorrow & plan to try them. Does anyone have any info on when a lake turns over? As I said, I'm on a deep clear northern lake, what water temp should I look for that will tell me the lake is starting to turn? Also at what water temp range do you call it quits for the year because the bass are no longer active enough to fish? Thanks for the help & info.

The main place that I fish is either turning or turned already. I see no signs of life up on top. Bluegill, etc, are no where to be seen but I do feel them nibbling down below around 14-16 foot. Same with my dads pond. Everything is being caught deeper right now.

Not sure if that means the place is turning or not. New to this myself.

I'm also going to fish until the snow starts to fly. I have had days where there has been no takers but still picking up some nice 15" + bass. So it's not over yet.  ;D

[fishfordollars]

Try a drop shot rig on the points and creek drops. You can move deeper or shallow as the day progresses. I would start with my worm about two feet above the weight and make your adjustments as the fish dictate. I was supprised that none of the above post mentioned this. I was under the impression that most of you northern fishermen fished the drop shot. We do in the south.  Our water temps can get into the low 40's at times and we still catch fish. Fish right up to ice over and just slow down.

[Davis]

Try a drop shot rig on the points and creek drops. You can move deeper or shallow as the day progresses. I would start with my worm about two feet above the weight and make your adjustments as the fish dictate. I was supprised that none of the above post mentioned this. I was under the impression that most of you northern fishermen fished the drop shot. We do in the south.

They do on Erie but I don't hear many people doing it on the smaller lakes and ponds.

I know I haven't tried it as of yet but I did get the "wiggle rig" and some drop shot weights from BPS.

Going to try it on the smallies in the spring.

[lovecranking]

Well I tried all of the suggestions and ended up with a northern & smallie. All of the others fishing around us were using live bait and catching a mixed bag. I'm heading back out this week and will try all of the suggestions again. The water temp was 61 but a cold front is coming in for the entire week & we'll see. I just can't get myself to use live bait (I refer to it as the  "dark side"). Thanks all.

[lovecranking]

One more question. Does anyone fish at night during the fall? I'd like to know if the bass are active during the night with the lows in the 40's or if it's just a waste of time?

[Davis]

One more question. Does anyone fish at night during the fall? I'd like to know if the bass are active during the night with the lows in the 40's or if it's just a waste of time?

I have had zero success so far at night.

The bite has been hot for me about two-three hours before dark. When the sun starts to set, you know that last half hour....the bite has then shut down for me.

[jaystraw]

I've had very little luck after 4pm here in NH.