FALL FISHING

While we set here the 2nd week of August with temps in the 60s, we are reminded that our favorite time of year is near -FALL- with cooler weather, no bugs, fewer anglers and some of the best fishing. It really is strange to us that so many anglers are out hitting the water all summer in the hot weather when fishing is more difficult, but hang up their gear in the fall when fishing actually picks up.
Fall fishing can be great when all fish species are getting active and feeding more to prepare for the winter but there is a transition period which is all about changing conditions in the weather, fish are moving and can be deep one day and shallow the next. Much of this is due to the surface layer of water that cools and sinks pushing the warmer bottom water to the surface. This turnover is actually beneficial as it mixes and re-oxygenates the whole water column allowing fish to roam.
To find fish just search out areas of good water such as creeks and tributaries that can supply fresh water. Other good areas are wind blown shoreline with cover, bridge piers, creek channels, bluffs and the presents of baitfish is an important factor. Since fish are holding nearer to shore during fall, shore fishing is a good option and fun.
We will try to cover what is happening with some of the different species of fish you may wish to target and provide some tips that have worked for us.
BASS will move into shallow areas and even main lake flats with inside bends as water cools where there is forage and hiding places to ambush these baitfish. Target any shoreline objects, secondary points and backs of coves with shallow-running plugs, spinnerbaits or soft jerk baits in cover, and plastic tubes on bottom. Fall can also be a good time to use surface plugs when you see surface action. If the wind is pushing baitfish into an area, this is a great opportunity to try a lipless crankbait to cover more water.
BLUEGILLS will most always be in or near remaining weeds along shore and move out as weeds die off as winter nears. The same wax worm and small bobbers fished along weed edges will catch these fish.
CATFISH too will move into creeks and onto flats to feed up for the winter months as days get cooler and even more so if cloudy or low light conditions.
Most all the same baits work including our favorite, Hoss's Hawg Bait, check them at www.hosshawgbait.com
CRAPPIE have spent most of the summer scattered and suspended out in deeper water in the thermocline or comfort area in water column when trolling or drifting worked best. Fall will cause crappie to school up and migrate into coves or bays where slow drifting jigs and minnows will locate and catch these fish. Jigging directly over fallen tree tops can be very productive or use a small bobber if preferred.
Remember that fall means clearer water and light penetration is important to the depth crappie.
MUSKIE are real active and feeding during this time of milder water temps and they seem to be the bigger fish. They too are after baitfish and like weed edges but do not appear to relate to any dying or dead vegetation. They can be caught by accident while Bass fishing from late September to November on large plugs trolled or casting jerkbaits and bucktail spinners.
NORTHERN PIKE will react same as Muskie but stay active at lower temps and you will find a spinnerbait to be a good lure.
STRIPERS are on the move as fall progresses and chase schools of shad near the surface often on a shallow flat. Watch for this and once you see them busting the surface, get to area and stay with them because it can be short lived.
These fish can be wary and boats will interrupt the action so try to make long cast with jigs with twisters, swimming plugs, surface baits or casting spoons.
If there is no surface action and your sonar picks up baitfish and possible stripers, try jigging spoons or even opt for live bait fished under big bobbers.
TROUT The Fall Trout Season opens at 5am Oct. 16th requiring a trout stamp, call 217-782-6424 for lakes locations throughout Illinois. These fish are catchable and a small spinner, corn or trout paste will work.
WALLEYE anglers have been waiting all summer for this cooler water and the elimination of the thermocline so the big walleye will come up river to feed or gorge on food at tributaries. Trolling crankbaits, stickbaits or pulling live rigs on or near bottom will catch these fish. As waters cools below 60, we like to go to jigging minnows or crawlers for a slower presentation.
WHITEBASS Also shad chasers and obvious places to fish are tailwaters of a dam, water discharge areas, at mouth of tributaries and on flats. Jigs with twistertails (double rigs add to catches and fight), roadrunners, spinners and blade baits, but when action is fast, treble hooks can take more time unhooking.
Fall Fishing can be rewarding and a great time outdoors, and remember what worked during spring and areas you found fish will work again in the fall.
PRODUCTS: For Hands-Free rod carrying, we found the River Quiver a unique product which allows a wader or bank angler to carry an extra fishing rod totally hands-free behind our backs. We recommend you check them out at www.riverquiver.com

Till Next Time BYE & GOOD FISHING