®
th A e fall
s the sweltering heat of summer diminishes,
we fade into the cooler months of autumn. The
leaves on the old oaks begin to turn from green to rust and then brown before they wander to the ground. We welcome the changing of seasons as the fall is an excellent time of year to get out on the water and catch bass. However, the fall is not just a season, it is also an overlooked and underutilized aspect of our day-to-day presentation.
On the water, we continuously cast and retrieve in hopes that a fish will strike. But often the strike happens long before the retrieve begins.
As the bait is sinking, or falling to the desired depth,
but fishing vertically at the end of each cast. Making long casts and allowing the bait to drift lifelessly is the ticket.
STRUCTURE AND SUSPENDED FISH
Determining when and how to catch fish using this technique can be tricky. Here are the things I will look for when trying to dial this pattern in.
First and foremost is going to be vertical structure and cover. The bass will hold at practically any depth and lean on or position extremely tight to it. Keeping the bait as close to
Fall 2019
prior to imparting action a fish has grabbed ahold and is
the target on the entire drop is crucial. Any tension on the
swimming off.
line and the bait will swing away from the structure/cover
As most anglers will do, we set the hook and reel it in as and out of the strike zone.
a bonus. But, could this be the presentation they desire? And,
Manmade objects such as; docks, pilings, buoys and
can we capitalize on this small percentage of each cast?
cables are a great place to start. Natural bluff walls, standing
The answer is yes, and sometimes we can use the fall as timber or grass lines are also key locations. However, this
the presentation in its entirety.
technique can be used in open water as well to catch fish
that are suspended over island tops, tapering points and
CATCHING FISH ON THE FALL
creek channels.
Each day is different and depending on the structure, cover and depth, a variety of lures, rigging methods and sink rates can be incorporated to draw attention.
As we use these presentations to catch fish on a vertical drop, I am not referencing fishing vertically under the boat,
LINE WATCHING, CONTROLLED SLACK AND PENDULUM SWINGING
The amount of tension that is placed on the line is very important. The key is to fish your presentation on semi-slack
IS NOT JUST A TIME OF THE YEAR
By John Liechty
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