Anglers gear up for fall fishing
Robert Nelson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Posted: 09/19/2009 05:10:26 PM EDT
The air is starting to feel cooler and the leaves are starting to change colors. Crisp, cool mornings have replaced the warm summer mornings. Autumn brings excitement to anglers who enjoy fishing in the cooler weather.
Fall is a time when veteran anglers know that they can catch fish in large numbers. They also know that they can catch large fish during this time of the year.
As the water cools, smaller fish and baitfish are drawn back to shallow water areas. The fish's instinct tells them that cold weather is coming and that they must ready themselves for the winter months. This results in one of the best times to fish in our area.
To be successful during the fall, it helps to understand what is going on with the fish and its behaviors. Changes in wind, weather fronts and water levels are just a few things that have an immediate impact on fishing. Seasonal changes are more noticeable and long lasting.
As the water cools, fish do not consume as much food as they do during the summer months. The fish often follow forage to the shallow water areas, during this time of year. Instinct tells the fish to feed heavily and to get themselves ready for the winter. The eating, that they do now, will also prepare them for the spawn in the spring.
During this period, anglers will look for the increase in baitfish activity in the shallow water areas. Fish feeding on the surface is often a sign that the baitfish are on the move toward the cooler,
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shallower water areas. Fishermen who can find this while on the water, can often have great fishing success.
Cold weather fronts sometimes have a positive effect on fishing. Forage fish, like alewives, are not able to tolerate a rapid change in temperature and will cause many of them to die. As the forage fish die, they fall slowly to the bottom. Fish will eat them as they fall or pick them up off the bottom as they lie motionless. Often, anglers will fish with a jigging spoon when this happens. The spoon imitates a dying baitfish.
Wind and rain are not looked at favorably by most anglers. Fall winds create currents, which often trigger a fish's activity. Anglers know that moving water can be a valuable asset to them. Cool fall rain means that wherever there are areas where water is running into a body of water, there will likely be concentrations of feeding fish.
Fish will push baitfish toward weeds and other forms of cover. At times, the fish will trap them against a weedline, which makes them easier to catch. Fish that do not feed in this method, often wait for the bait in areas where there is a deep water drop off, near shallow water weedlines.
When the forage fish are trying to avoid the attacks of predator fish, anglers will often use fast moving baits that emulate the fleeing baitfish. In the case of bass fishermen, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits are often used during the fall months.
As fall gets closer to the winter months, baitfish and predator fish will move to the deeper parts of a body of water. Colder water slows a fish's metabolism, therefore, anglers will choose to fish baits that go deeper in the water column. Also, slower moving baits are a good choice when the water temperature drops.
As the fall feeding frenzy slows, anglers should look to deep water areas that lead a fish to its winter resting areas. Deep channels that "funnel" fish to their winter homes are a good place to target during this time.
Fall fishing can be a very productive time for an angler who prepares for the fish, as well as, the cooler weather.
Fishing Report: Candlewood Lake gave up several large fish this past weekend. Connecticut Bass Federation Tournament Director, Alan Guite, caught a 7.18 lb largemouth bass during the CBFN tournament this past Sunday. Many smallmouth that weighed 5 pounds or more were caught during the same tournament. All of these fish were released alive into the lake.
Local guides are enjoying success in large numbers when using live bait during their trips. Smallmouth of size and numbers are very common during trips this time of year. There were reports of several 40-60 fish trips during the past two weeks.
Fishing Trip to the Ausable River: The Valley Angler is currently taking reservations for the shop's annual trip to the Ausable River, in N.Y. The trip will take place from Sept. 25-27.
To make a reservation, or for more information, stop by The Valley Angler at 56 Padanaram Rd, in Danbury, or call (203) 792-8324.
Please send your fishing reports and story ideas to: largemouth77@yahoo.com.
Robert Nelson
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Posted: 09/19/2009 05:10:26 PM EDT
The air is starting to feel cooler and the leaves are starting to change colors. Crisp, cool mornings have replaced the warm summer mornings. Autumn brings excitement to anglers who enjoy fishing in the cooler weather.
Fall is a time when veteran anglers know that they can catch fish in large numbers. They also know that they can catch large fish during this time of the year.
As the water cools, smaller fish and baitfish are drawn back to shallow water areas. The fish's instinct tells them that cold weather is coming and that they must ready themselves for the winter months. This results in one of the best times to fish in our area.
To be successful during the fall, it helps to understand what is going on with the fish and its behaviors. Changes in wind, weather fronts and water levels are just a few things that have an immediate impact on fishing. Seasonal changes are more noticeable and long lasting.
As the water cools, fish do not consume as much food as they do during the summer months. The fish often follow forage to the shallow water areas, during this time of year. Instinct tells the fish to feed heavily and to get themselves ready for the winter. The eating, that they do now, will also prepare them for the spawn in the spring.
During this period, anglers will look for the increase in baitfish activity in the shallow water areas. Fish feeding on the surface is often a sign that the baitfish are on the move toward the cooler,
Advertisement
shallower water areas. Fishermen who can find this while on the water, can often have great fishing success.
Cold weather fronts sometimes have a positive effect on fishing. Forage fish, like alewives, are not able to tolerate a rapid change in temperature and will cause many of them to die. As the forage fish die, they fall slowly to the bottom. Fish will eat them as they fall or pick them up off the bottom as they lie motionless. Often, anglers will fish with a jigging spoon when this happens. The spoon imitates a dying baitfish.
Wind and rain are not looked at favorably by most anglers. Fall winds create currents, which often trigger a fish's activity. Anglers know that moving water can be a valuable asset to them. Cool fall rain means that wherever there are areas where water is running into a body of water, there will likely be concentrations of feeding fish.
Fish will push baitfish toward weeds and other forms of cover. At times, the fish will trap them against a weedline, which makes them easier to catch. Fish that do not feed in this method, often wait for the bait in areas where there is a deep water drop off, near shallow water weedlines.
When the forage fish are trying to avoid the attacks of predator fish, anglers will often use fast moving baits that emulate the fleeing baitfish. In the case of bass fishermen, spinnerbaits and lipless crankbaits are often used during the fall months.
As fall gets closer to the winter months, baitfish and predator fish will move to the deeper parts of a body of water. Colder water slows a fish's metabolism, therefore, anglers will choose to fish baits that go deeper in the water column. Also, slower moving baits are a good choice when the water temperature drops.
As the fall feeding frenzy slows, anglers should look to deep water areas that lead a fish to its winter resting areas. Deep channels that "funnel" fish to their winter homes are a good place to target during this time.
Fall fishing can be a very productive time for an angler who prepares for the fish, as well as, the cooler weather.
Fishing Report: Candlewood Lake gave up several large fish this past weekend. Connecticut Bass Federation Tournament Director, Alan Guite, caught a 7.18 lb largemouth bass during the CBFN tournament this past Sunday. Many smallmouth that weighed 5 pounds or more were caught during the same tournament. All of these fish were released alive into the lake.
Local guides are enjoying success in large numbers when using live bait during their trips. Smallmouth of size and numbers are very common during trips this time of year. There were reports of several 40-60 fish trips during the past two weeks.
Fishing Trip to the Ausable River: The Valley Angler is currently taking reservations for the shop's annual trip to the Ausable River, in N.Y. The trip will take place from Sept. 25-27.
To make a reservation, or for more information, stop by The Valley Angler at 56 Padanaram Rd, in Danbury, or call (203) 792-8324.
Please send your fishing reports and story ideas to: largemouth77@yahoo.com.