SHALLOW WATER FALL FISH
By Bob Jensen
So
much of the time anglers think of fishing in the fall as being a deep water
deal, and much of the time throughout the Midwest it is. But there are times
when fish will move up shallow in the autumn, and when they do the action
can be really fast. Here’s what to look for in shallow water fall
fishing.
Mother Nature tells fish that when water temperatures start
falling, those fish should start eating to fatten up for the cold water
season that will be here soon.
Baitfish populations are not very high in the autumn. Many of the baitfish
that were spawned in the spring have already been eaten. There are some
baitfish that spawn in the autumn, and the ones from the previous fall have
also been eaten or are too big by now to be a food source for most gamefish.
So what we have is a reduced number of baitfish and a bunch of hungry predator
fish. That can be a very good situation for the angler. If a fisher-person
puts their lure near a fish, chances are good the fish will eat that lure.
While deep water is the home to most predators this time of year, they will make trips into the shallows. A warm day will warm the shallows, and the warm water will attract baitfish, which in turn will attract predators. Sunshine will warm the water fast, so bright days will often be good in the shallows. However, many anglers have had memorable fishing in the shallows on overcast days, especially if there have been several days in a row of warming temperatures.
If largemouth bass are the quarry, it’s hard to beat a Reed-Runner spinnerbait with a large blade and a four inch Power Minnow. The large blade and Power Minnow add bulk, and in the fall, the fish are looking for a big meal. Work this combination around rush beds and other types of vegetation.
If walleyes are what you want, and the weather has been warm and the wind has been from the same direction for several days, find a shallow rocky point or reef. Throw a sixteenth ounce Fire-Ball jig tipped with a minnow to the shallows. Sometimes the fish will spread out on the structure; sometimes they will be working a particular area. If the walleyes are really active, switch to a three or four inch Power Grub to up your odds of tangling with a trophy.
The same concept holds true for smallmouth, pike, and muskies. Find a shallow water hump, a flat covered with reeds, or a pile of rocks. Any of these structures will be best if they are near deep water. The fish hang in the deep water much of the time, but will move shallow to feed. If you’re there when they move shallow, the bite will be something that you remember for a long time. The months of September and October are when you can best take advantage of this fall fishing opportunity.
For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com
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