Where to look in the Fall?

[zaraspook_dylan2]

What are your opinions on finding bass in the Fall, how deep, water clarity, structure, where are they positioned in the lake? Is it like fishing in the summer when you can fish the shoreline around the hole lake and catch a bass, or are they concentrated on certain places on the lake?

Anything is appreciated.

[bandsr4me20]

I follow the wind.  I go to the banks that have wind pushing on them.  If I see shad flipping then I stay there longer.  I usually use a lipless crankbait for the most part.  Spinnerbaits are good to use too. 

[BASSclary]

Imitate shad in creek arms for me 8-)

[Gatorbassman]

I go shallow...... Very shallow. I start in the very backs of creeks and work my way out. I focus on cover and structure associated with the creek channel or a ditch. Last week if my trolling motor wasn't kicking up mud I was fishing to deep. I was catching all my fish in less than 1 foot of water but still close to the creek channel. As the sun got high the bass just slid into the channel and I started finding them concentrated on the lip of the channel.

[Sam]

Follow the bait fish.

Learn what bait fish are in your lake; what they do in the fall and winter; where they go; and as much information as you can.

If you know anyone who fishes your lake or if there is a tackle shop ask those guys for suggestions.

Sometimes they bass will hit the warm shoreline (west and north banks); they will follow the bait fish; they will stage in the areas they were in the summer, like dead grass lines; stage at dropoffs; use the same "travel lanes" they do when they spawn.

Be cognizant of when your lake "turns over" and realize that the entire lake may not "turn over" at the same time.

So you need to go on the water and search for the fish; read what you can on the Internet about your lake; speak with guys who fish the lake; and they try your luck.

I can only suggest a 6 to 10-foot running shad crankbait; spinnerbait; silver or gold lipless crankbait; Carolina rigs; shaky heads and wacky setups.

In other words, the fish have to tell you what they want so try to think like a largemouth bass. 

[fishfordollars]

Follow the bait

Mouths of pockets

Main lake points

Secondary points

Backs of pockets

Flats off the creeks

[Taylor Fishin 4 life]

Alll is great advice up above

[Fishmaster10]

I've had my best luck fishing fairly shallow off of points with shelves, and by following the bait fish.

The baits that I usually have the most luck with are: gold, silver, and bluegill colored lipless crankbaits, white spinnerbaits, and jigs.

[Tin]

Given that you're in Canada I would say water temps would put the fish more into a winter stage than fall right now. Here in southern New England h2o temps are already in the upper 40's low 50's. Get out the jerkbaits and traps on windblown areas.

[Jigfishn10]

Given that you're in Canada I would say water temps would put the fish more into a winter stage than fall right now. Here in southern New England h2o temps are already in the upper 40's low 50's. Get out the jerkbaits and traps on windblown areas.

X2...Spoons as well

[J Francho]

Silver Buddy!!!!!

[Vinny Chase]

Shallow weed lines with lipless cranks

[Vinny Chase]

Fishing in summer is totally different from fishing in Winter, One of the important time for fishing in the Winter is right when the morning time starts at 4:00 to 5:00 AM because it is the time when fish starts traveling and starts looking for food.

When it comes to water clarity you will find the water little soil where there will be the fish.

I would have to disagree with this....Summer is when morning fishing is going to be at its best, when the fish are very active. In the colder months bass are less aggressive until it starts to warm up...That is why middle of the day in the shallow areas are the best time because they are up soaking the sun while they can (here in MN the ice is coming)

[fishingfreak50]

I have my best luck starting half way back on secondary pts in creeks and continue to work my way to the back with crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and rattlebaits until I find them and then I might slow down and try some other tactics such as a jig or shakeyhead.

[aarogb]

The FLW just finished up their northern regional of the college fishing series at my home lake of Jordan Lake, NC.  NC State won by a margin of more than 15 lbs. by focusing on rip rap because the sun warmed up the rocks and it made the water around them warmer, therefore it attracted BAITFISH which then also attracts big Bass.

They used Strike King Series 3 crankbaits in shad colored patterns if you cared about that.

[Tin]

Current temp in Charlotte = 53*

Current temp in Oshawa = 33*

I bet the h2o temps are 20 degrees colder as well.

[RoLo]

Autumn is a very complex season, and depending on whether it's early fall,

mid-fall or late fall, bass location pretty much runs the gamut.

Even lakes that do not turnover will undergo a complete water density overhaul.

Fall is a time-of-year when game fish will find similar water temperatures

and similar dissolved oxygen in all water depths.

Bar none, the most overworked phrase applying to fall fishing is

"Find the bait and you've found the bass", but think about that for a moment.

Prey fish are at the bottom of the food chain, the widest part of the pyramid.

The biomass of forage is exponentially greater than the biomass of predators.

In healthy ecosystems, baitfish will be marking nearly every time you stop the boat.

It's not physically possible for bass to be located everywhere that prey fish are located.

In my opinion, that ole saw would be a lot more accurate if it were reversed.

"Find the bass and you've found the bait", but who's looking for bait? ;D

Roger

[Catt]

I agree with Roger, autumn like spring is a very complex season

The entire ecosystem is undergoing major transitions from warm weather and water temperatures, water density, dissolved oxygen, prefrontal, frontal, and post frontal conditions.

As with spring where one will find early pre-spawn, pre-spawn, spawn, and post spawn, in autumn there is early pre-autumn, pre-autumn, autumn, and post autumn. Just like spring the bass will be in transition through out the entire water column.

Multiple lures, techniques, and pattern will be available to the angler who can quickly adapt to on water conditions.

[BigEbass]

Hmm, canada...brrr....not entirely sure that your "fall" right now is the same as my fall here in AL

Having said that, I will add to the discussion about focusing on bait......

As any one point about fishing, it is correct in part....I think of baitfish as a simple part of the equation...for me down here in AL, I do keep shad on my mind alot - I have been this past year using my side imaging unit....I can spot pretty big congregations of shad pretty quick....shad around structure...shad in the shallows plus near deeper water, plus a good weedline, plus perhaps finding some possible chart fish - in that area....now the picture is looking sweeter - part of the equation for finding the "spot on spot" I think simply put.

I agree that only finding one ball of bait without any other ocnsiderations is not as productive....rather its just one important piece of the puzzle.

But when I see shad and then breaks ANYWHERE I cast a crank bait, spinner, spook, something....many times that bass and others will be caught - such a thrill to cast the breaks this time of year  ;D

[5bass]

Morning is a great time in the fall to catch schooling bass. Just scout some shad ahead of your trip and be there just before the sun comes up. Chances are you'll see some schooling fish.

Whatever you do, just be around the shad.....and dont be scared to drop a spoon if you see any fish on your graph.