Ahhhh... Fall in Florida - the mercury has already started to drop. Isn't it the perfect time to head outside and bask in the cooler Fall weather? Of course it is! When considering your Autumnal adventures in the Great Outdoors, be sure to add fishing to the top of your list. You can bet the fish are hungry and just waiting to take a bite of your bait.
It seems that the avid angler prefers to center their Fall fishing adventures around the mighty bass. This sought-after game fish is either elusive in its ways or as easy to catch as (pardon the pun) shooting fish in a barrel. Their popularity has a lot to do with numbers. They live in lakes, rivers, and the ocean.
Fall is actually a great time of year for bass fishing, for both the fisherman and well.... Unless you’re “catching and releasing”, I guess it’s not so great for the fish.
I’ll start with the obvious. For most, Fall is a reprieve from the Summer heat. Also, less bugs. Anyone is more likely to enjoy sitting on the water for a few hours when they’re not constantly sweating and swatting at stinging pests. Sounds like an amazing time whether you’re casting a reel or not, huh?
Onto the bass fishing...
The temperature of the water becomes cooler, which makes the fish more active. Just like humans, when we’re more active, we burn more calories. As a result, we get hungry and eat. The same goes with fish. In a somewhat frenzied state of hunger, they’ll bite just about anything!
There were a few different suggestions as to how to find the bass. Just get to know your body of water. The spots you frequent in the Spring are the same spots you should revisit in the Fall.
Naturally, you should go where their food is hanging around. Bass will eat just about anything. If they can fit it in their mouth, they will eat it. They have been known to eat anything from tiny minnows to lizards to small mammals. If motivated properly, they will even eat another bass! More than likely though, schools of small fish are a good indicator that bass may be lurking.
Natural foliage is another food group for our fine, finned friends. There is another advantage for Autumnal angling! Fallen leaves, especially under the cover or shade of the tree, will attract your target.
Bass are also known to congregate around “cover”. Cover is an object that sticks up from the bottom of a lake or river. It can be a tree stump, piling, a dock, or a log.
There are conflicting points regarding water temperature which makes my last point a good rule of thumb. Go to an area of shallow water that is near a deep area. The bass will hang around the shallow area foraging for food but will head to the deeper water when the temperature changes too rapidly. The temperature in deep water usually stays consistent while the shallow water increases and decreases quickly.
Don’t just take my word for it. Heck, I’m still learning myself! Click below for a couple of helpful and informative websites.
Now that you’re in the fishing frame of mind, why not take a look at some new fishing boats? Gift-giving season isn’t too far away! (hint hint)
Discover Boating
Take Me Fishing
Apparently, Fall isn’t your last chance of the year until Spring to chase bass. If you’re game enough to brave the tundra, give ice-fishing a try!
Bringing the family? Read Fishing Is Fun For the Whole Family for some tips.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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