Can't Wait For Some Fall Fishing

[Stewart]

With the dog days of summer, a cool fall day of fishing is only a wish for the time being. Fall may be "The" season that most Bass fishermen are looking forward to. This is the magic time of year when we are suppose to load our boats with bass and everyone looks like Kevin Van Dam at the end of the day. But, the truth is, Fall fishing can be tough. Bass are moving from their summer holding areas in search of food before settling into a winter pattern.

The biggest mistake that I see most anglers make is they start running back into the coves to early. The experienced angler will know that bass can be caught in all seasonal stages at this time of the year. Mother nature may bring in severe cold fronts, overcast rainy days or even summer like temperatures in the early fall which can change things from day to day. If your not on the water at least two or three times a week, it can be hard to find a good pattern. Here are a few tips that may help improve your success on your next early fall fishing trip.

Start by fishing the main river channel points in 10 to 15 feet of water first and adjacent main lake flats. Then start making your way back methodically into the cove. Look for grass in 2 to 8 feet of water, long tapering points that stair step into 20 feet depths. Don't overlook honey holes like Creek bridge rip rap areas, old boat docks, bluff walls and ledges. Cover allot of water but always slow down on primary and secondary points.

Lures of choice should include lipless crank baits, shallow crank baits which run one to five feet deep and those that will run eight to twelve feet deep as well. Don't fail to try soft jerk baits, buzz baits and 3/8 oz and 1/2 oz spinner baits and Carolina rigs with lizards, craw worms or four inch straight tail worms. Baits that seems to be over looked at this time of the year also include a 1/4 oz lipless crank bait in Black/Chrome or Blue/Chrome, 1/4-3/8oz jigs in black/blue or brown/orange, 3 inch grubs in smoke, watermelon and June bug thrown on a 3/16th or 1/4 head or sassy shad in black and pearl or blue and pearl. For you top water lovers don't forget the Boy Howdy, Zara Spook in off shore or black and chrome.