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Fall Options :: Opinions needed.
This started as a response to mikenores post about this colder weather…
However, i’d like to open it up to a broader discussion about the best approach for these quickly changing fall conditions on Priest. For the past couple of years, I’ve spent the fall fishing on the Cumberland, but this year I’m going to spend more of my time on Priest. So, here’s my thinking…I haven’t been out since last weekend, but I would think this recent cold front will start pushing the bait further into the creeks.
When I was out last week, it seemed like the fish weren’t really in the back of creeks fall feeding that everyone looks forward to. The bass and bait were suspended out deeper and scattered around. Some fish here, some fish there. I would suggest being flexible with your approach. I’m planning to go out on Sunday morning on the lower end of the lake. I’ll probably start out in the back of either Smith Springs or Hamilton Creek and work my way out. Starting with buzzbaits, poppers, walk-the-dog baits in the shallow water. Mix in squarebills for slightly deeper 0-4′. Then if that’s not doing anything, I’ll probably try a swim jig with a swimbait trailer and a small spinnerbait. If that doesn’t work, i’ll throw a mid-depth crankbait and finally a football head jig [these last two are my favorite lures to throw – so, this wouldn’t be a disappointment]. So, I guess the basic approach for me is to start as shallow as possible and keep moving out until I run into the fish. All the while, trying to cover as much water as possible. Once You find how deep they are holding, focus your efforts on that range until the fish stop biting. Also, my partner will probably be throwing either a walk the dog lure or an alabama rig ALL DAY regardless of depth or cover. That’s just what he likes to do.As an aside, I think you could do alright on smaller jerkbaits [x-rap, pointer 78, etc…] or vibration baits [rattle trap, red eye shad, lv-500] too. It’s just a matter of how much stuff you want to carry, how many rods, or how much time you want to spend switching out lures.
My question to the rest of the members of the board is what are your favorite lures and startegies for finding and catching the fall fish on Priest?
Looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks.
j. -
6 Replies
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Well J you got my vote for being right on it. I think the best of the fall bite has definitely not hit us yet, but it is on its way. I really love this fishing forum, (Thanks again Brian Carper). Its like a fishing facebook without all the drama lol. I am hoping to get out this weekend at some point myself. Let us know how ya do.
Brian -
Great plan for the fall!!! I went this morning and it was tough I don’t think the fish have relly recovered and got back in a consistent pattern since the cold from that just came through. The fog was ridiculous this morning didn’t clear until 11 am. I started with a buzz bait for first few hours this morning and they wouldn’t touch it!! Water temp was 70 consistently found Few shallow areas that were 68-69. Didn’t see any fish even trying to feed on surface until the sun came out around noon and couldn’t get them to hit anything. Caught a descent fish in 3 ft water on a brush hog and only caught 2 more the rest if the day fishing a fluke on shallow water that dropped deep quick. I think the fish are gonna go nuts any day now and can’t wait!! Saw fish on graph schooling on bait in 10 ft of water threw rattletraps and didn’t even get a nibble. Once the fish get back in a groove it should be awesome!!
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In the fall the lures I generally throw are a buzzbait and a Zara spook for my topwater choices. Then a lipless crankbait, spinnerbait, shallow running crankbait and a swimbait when around a lot of shad or just covering water. A buzzbait can be a good choice also when covering water and casting to specific targets. This has been the strategy I have used so far this fall. Mainly staying mid lake fishing areas fairly close to deep water and throwing to any piece of cover. Rocks, stumps, and laydowns have all produced fish. Some of the mid lake islands had been producing some fish for me and just fishing around some of th boat ramps has worked. There seems to be bait always around them. The last lure I will have tied on is some kind of creature bait. I really like a zoom baby brushog to just pitch around when I feel like slowing down.
Once the temperature cools down I will concentrate more in some of the creeks. Spring and Fall Creek are the ones I usually hit. Just trying to find bait in the pockets and using the same lures.
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I’m happy to see everyone jumping in on this thread.
Based on the overnight low, I think I’ll start the morning around 9:30 on a quick topwater retrieve. If that doesn’t work within the first 20-30 mins, I plan to move out a little deeper. I have a non-fishing friend in town from Vermont. So, we might end up just cruising around the lake with some quick stops here and there. Then it’s off to the Titans game. I’ll send a full report on Monday morning. Something tells me, I won’t be online after the game regardless of the outcome.
J. -
Great post guys! I will be out tomorrow for a few hours in the morning bass fishing and post a report in the evening or next day!
Brian
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Right now based on my sideview observations there are schools of fish chasing balls of shad mostly in deeper water. The fish seem to chase the bait into shallow water early, so that’s probably why the fishing has been better then. As the water cools and the levels drop, the shad will begin to die off, and that’s when a blade bait such as a silver buddy should become productive. As the water temp approaches 50 degrees and fish go deeper, a jerk bait such as a lucky craft pointer can bring them up. Bluffs will also attract fish in greater numbers. Jigs, worms, and other Texas-rigged plastics are my favorite lures during the late fall and winter months
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