Fall Bass   © Fred Kane 2001

Martys Nipissing Bass

When Zeke and I launched the boat on Crooked Nose Bay a flock of Canada Geese lazily watched the launching operation before their next leg south to their winter nesting grounds. It is time for autumn bass angling. When autumn arrives at the end of September this is prime bass angling time. The months of October and the early part of November are equally productive months. The water temperature is going down the scale and the bass start to move to the shallow water. This movement of bass is the reverse of what happens in the spring. Your thinking should be the opposite of spring bass angling.Lets take a trip with Zeke and find out his approach to autumn bass angling on Crooked Nose Bay. What is his pattern? The dictionary defines a PATTERN as "anything designed to act as a guide."

Parts of the fall pattern are water temperatures, shallow water, and structure. Water temperatures are usually constant for long periods of time in the fall. The water is cooling at a steady rate so the bass react according to the movement of the bait fish.

With the movement of the bait fish into the shallows the bass know this is their premier restaurant with an excellent menu. With this menu the bass will gain the added weight and fat needed to survive the winter months. Instinct tells the fish the days are shorter because of the amount of daylight. In the autumn months it is not unusual to have wind. Wind creates a chop on the water causing aeration, therefore more oxygenated water in the shallows.  Also the fish are moving to the comfort zone that at this time of the year is near the outside edge of the weedline, lily pads, and at the ends of the docks.

As the largemouth move deeper they use structure leading from the shallows to the deeper part of the lake. Isolated under water structure like islands, large sunken trees, boulders, and rock piles draw fish during the autumn months. If there is no under water structure then the bass will use points to move deeper. Points as well as structure draw bait fish, followed by the bass. Isolated weed clumps out from the main weed bed are another spot to check out in the fall.

Often diving birds will tell you the location of structure in the middle of the lake. The birds will be diving to pick up minnows that are being chased by the bass below. In the autumn months bass will school to take advantage of a large group of bait fish. The best way to fish open water shallow spots is with large bladed spinners or darker colored crank baits.  Once you have investigated the birds, found bait fish and bass you will want to remember this open water spot. Your depth finder and land marks from three directions will pin point the spot. Mark your map for the next fishing excursion.

When the feeding frenzy is over some bass stay around open structure. This may be the time to try flipping and pitching into open water isolated structure.