Weather and Fall Fishing

Fall is one of our favorite times to fish and as experienced anglers we know the best times to fish is connected to the position of the moon and the weather patterns along with wind. The amount of sunlight, warming trends and storms can affect to depth at which fish are found. As a result, when to fish can also be affected by where to fish.
A fish’s bodily functions, which include how much and when to eat, are influenced by the surrounding temperature. An understanding of this allows you to adjust lures, baits and your presentation.
In fall as the lake water cools, the sun warms the shallow areas more, creating comfortable water temperatures where bait fish move into making available food for game fish.
With the varying weather patterns of fall, wind pushes bait into shore, followed by game fish and knowing this can play a role in fishing success. This can be a good time to be fishing from shore, but on windy days you must cast into the wind.
Since fish are clearly in tune to changes in barometric conditions storms and changing weather patterns too will affect fishing success. You have heard us say many times that fish will increase feeding during the hours just before a cold front, but will slow up as the front hits and fishing can be poor for a day or two.
With water temperature being a key factor during this transition, warm fronts will cause surface water temperatures to increase causing more feeding activity on or near the warm surface.
Rain can also have an affect by washing insects and bait into the water creating a feeding binge for fish. Warm rains quickly warm the water to cause these feeding periods but cold rains can push fish out of shallow areas.
In patterning times and places to fish, there is no substitute for experience and for us that is referring to our fishing log book and our Fishing Calendar when planning trips.
Crappie and other panfish bite well during fall, feed more actively as the water cools, move shallower and even found schooled up tighter. Walleye and surprising to some, even Catfish will be more actively feeding in fall.
Determining the best time to fish requires checking on many fishing factors and outdoor conditions. The key to fishing success is to learn about fish and how they live. Try different tactics in your fishing to make each day of fishing a great day. Learning to modify your approach with changing weather will increase your fishing success.
You can be prepared for fall fishing by knowing what to expect, and be ready to fish before those fronts come through.
Get out and enjoy the pleasant fall weather, the beautiful fall colors and your favorite fish is likely to be biting right now and best of all, fall fishing is FUN!
TIP: With fall here, do not be afraid to use bigger baits and there is not need to get up real early since the afternoon bite can be best..

Till Next Time, GOD BLESS & GOOD FISHING !