Fall Fishing Is Trophy Time: Part One
Gearing up for fall
By the time you read this article we who troll and live bait fish will be gearing up for our fall patterns and, with any luck, the trophy of a lifetime. The months of September through December should be some of the most productive times of the year. This is the period when most or all trophy fish are to be caught … on lakes, rivers and reservoirs. By no means am I taking away from the spring trophy patterns; both seasons hold trophy fish.
This time of year is when big baits are your best choice. You can’t lose with either live bait or artificial baits. Dropping fall air and water temperatures and barometric pressure make fish more active or aggressive and play a big part in the art of fall fishing and trophy hunting. As with most lakes, you will start to see turnover happening. With lake weeds, grass and other flowage starting to die off, water clarity is or should be much better.
Bob Wilson with a Castle Rock lake beauty 10.9-pound walleye.
Here in the Midwest this practice will occur on almost all lakes and rivers. Also, you will start to see the migration of most fish species on all rivers and reservoirs, including trophy fish that will be on the hunt for large baits.
Fish that do migrate include muskie, northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and other species that may be on the hunt for big food. All fish will feed at this time of year in preparation for the long winter and for the upcoming spring spawn. I would start looking for water temps that are still in the mid-60s to low 50s to take advantage of the season and troll artificial or live baits if possible.
What artificial baits to use? I will start with Rapala #14 or #16 husky jerk, and move to the #9 Rapala shad raps or Storms 3/4 magnum hot ‘n tots. Other great choices include the Cotton Cordell CD #7 magnum wally diver and any other big baits like Reef Runners and Berkley Frenzy. This year I have also started using Baitmate fish attractant to give me a little edge.
Like any sport, any mental edge that comes from using baits and equipment that have worked well for you personally will keep you in the fishing game all fall long. And just might lead to that trophy you’re chasing.
Bob Wilson has been fishing and guiding Castle Rock and Petenwell lakes for over 35 years. His guide service focuses on educating and teaching all ages. Contact Gone Fishing Again Guide Service at bobgonefishingagain@yahoo.com or 608.404.1239.
Rick Herzog with a 12.6-pound late fall Castle Rock lake walleye.