It’s fall. That means it’s time for my annual tribute to what might be the best time of all to be on the water trying to trick a creature that has a brain the size of a pea.
Here in central Ohio fall came almost overnight. In a matter of just a few days the nights dropped into the low 40s and the daytime highs are now in the middle 70s. At the same time the humidity dropped to almost nothing. It’s absolutely perfect weather to be outside doing whatever it is that you like to do. Hopefully, that’s fishing.
We all know that fall starts in the north and travels south. So, if it’s not fall in your neighborhood it will be in short order. There’s no way to stop it.
Over the last few days I’ve noticed that the baitfish are moving back into the creeks. The bass are starting to follow them. That means we won’t have to spend our time looking around for a bite. We know where it will be before we get out of bed in the morning.
I’ve known for a while now that fall is probably the best time to bass fish. The bite is reliable and you can always catch a few of them regardless of where you fish. The prespawn is the best time to catch a giant. I won’t argue that. But, if you’re just out looking to have a good time no is when you should be on the water.
The other thing I like about this time of the year is that the boat traffic is down to almost nothing. Most of the recreational boaters think it’s too cold and a lot of the anglers are chasing deer. If you’re lucky enough to be able to fish during the week, you might not see another boat.
I wish it didn’t get so cold up here in December, January and February. I probably wouldn’t have the urge to go to Florida if I could still catch a few around here.
That’s what started my winter migration, you know. I just couldn’t fish locally in the winter and my beloved Great Lakes — especially Lake Erie — are frozen solid as a rock. Even in the so-called warm years about all you can do is chop a hole in the ice and sit in a hut waiting for something to bite.
I know that some of the huts are more like houses that fishing shacks. I hear some of them have television sets and stoves as well as heaters. The anglers sit in shorts and a t-shirt while they’re “ice” fishing.
Fishing that way is fine if that’s what you want to do. I have nothing against the guys and gals who do it and the Lord knows I’ll not criticize them for doing their thing. It’s just that it’s not my thing. I want to be outside moving and looking for something when I’m fishing. I’m too hyper to spend all day in a confined space like that.
