Blaukat Blog/ Understanding the Fall Transition

One of the realities I have discovered in fishing across the country for the past 35 years, is in general, fall can be some of the toughest months of the year to catch fish, especially bigger bass.

Much of this is due to the fact the seasonal transitions and environmental factors are more pronounced and drawn out than in other times of the year.

The diversities in types of water make it impossible for any fishing theories or opinions to cover each lake in the country. But in general, one of the biggest reasons fall is tough is due to the fact the bass are more scattered out throughout the lake than any other season.

As thermoclines dissipate, the bass are free to move deeper or shallower, and there are always a shallow, mid-depth and deeper bite to be had during the fall transition.

I consider the heart of the fall transition to be when the water falls approximately 10-15 degrees from its warmest level during the heat of the summer.

It is during this window, when the most varied number of patterns will be existing on any body of water.

For example, on a typical man-made impoundment, there will be a shallow pattern going on in the upper river and creek arms. Bass can be caught in just a few feet of water.

At same time, anglers would be able to go to the lower end of the lake and catch bass in 20-40 feet, depending on the water clarity.

And of course, there will be patterns available to pursue in the mid-depth areas as well.

So, the question is, what is the best way to approach the fall transition?

The easy answer would be to fish your strengths. But when trying to develop to your fullest potential as an angler, this mentality can be a limiting factor.

The best answer is you need to fish the best patterns and areas for the given conditions you face the day you are on the water.

For example, if the day you are on the lake in the fall transition is cloudy, windy and maybe some light rain, take advantage of this and head to the cleanest water in the lake and fish moving baits and topwaters. The bass in this area that would normally be tough to catch immediately become much easier.

On the flip side, if the day your area out is clear and calm, you may be presented with multiple options.

In those conditions, you might be able to pick up a couple quick topwater fish early on some shady banks, then have the option of dragging a football head jig on points, or heading up the river into the stained water and fishing a spinnerbait or squarebill crankbait.

Each lake will have opportunities uniquely their own, so anglers will have to modify their approaches to their specific lake.