James RickardFall fishing
September 7th 2007 00:17
As the year winds down, rifles are sighted in and the woods become a haven for outdoorsmen hoping to bag a trophy. My hat is off to anyone with such aspirations but, they’re passing up a great opportunity to catch the fish of their dreams.
People often think fall is too cool for fishing. However, fish are similar to us in that they, also, like to bask in the sun. After a cold period, it’s not going to be uncommon for them to come to the surface to catch a few rays!
After the long, lazy days of summer, cooler water temperatures trigger many fish species into a feeding mode as they fatten up for fall spawning or the upcoming cold. In addition to this, you'll have another advantage. As hunters head to the woods, the fish are less pressured and aren't as wary of anglers.
Early in the fall, oxygen levels in the water are low. Fish will congregate in areas where oxygen is more abundant. Baitfish, fattened up for winter, fall victim to larger gamefish which are actively feeding in preparation for the coming cold.
The mistake people often make in cooler weather is trying to use the same tactics they use when it’s warm. The guy out there trying to catch something on a night crawler 12” below his bobber or burning a lure across the surface is probably wasting his time! You have to remember that fish are cold-blooded creatures. As such, when the temperature drops, everything they do is going to slow down. In order to trigger a strike from the sluggish beasts, you’re going to have to slow down your presentation.
Although fish can be found enjoying the sun, if the water is cold and the surrounding temperature is also cold, they are going to head for deeper water to get away from the cold. Fish that were at 10 feet during the summer can suddenly be found at 30 feet or greater!
If you have access to a boat, this is a great time to use it! You can drop shot right off the side of the boat or have great luck with a simple worm weighted by a small sinker. If the body of water you’re fishing is 100 feet deep, make sure you have that much line on your reel and go for it. There’s probably not much point in trying to entice any of the fish you saw in the summer because they have, most likely, headed for deeper water.
If you have to fish from shore, try to get a spot that has a good drop off. Don’t waste your time with a gradual increase in depth! What you’re looking for is something that gets deep FAST.
If you’re partial to artificial lures, try the always versatile spinnerbait. Otherwise, go with leeches, grubs, or plain worms. If it’s not too cold, you may surprise yourself. If it IS cold, bundle up!
Until next time--watch yourself and watch your line!
*image from morguefile.com
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