Slowly but surely, the temps are dropping – Autumn is here
Water temps are in the mid 60’s on the water I’ve been fishing. You’ll want to watch the lakes you are fishing because things are changing; a good sign of the changes are that the weeds are starting to get dirty and scummy looking.
Muskie:
Baits such as double 9’s and 10’s spinnerbaits, bigger jerk baits and top water are still working. Remember that the proper equipment is needed to use certain baits to make your fishing experience enjoyable.
Northern Pike:
Fishing the deep flats with some type of weeds could be sand grass or coontail, Jig and minnow combos are the bait of choice.
Walleye:
Find deep rock humps and early and late in the day you can find fish on the tops and during the day they will go deeper you will have to follow them out. Jig and minnow combos are the ticket here.
Bass:
(Largemouth)Bass spinnerbaits (safety pin style) and crankbaits are working well. If fishing weeds, don’t forget to bring top water baits like a Scum Frog or a Zara Spook; adding this approach will add to your success. Texas and Carolina rigging plastics will also entice that fish to bite. (Smallmouth) Basic live bait rig is always a go to presentation; also plastics and crankbaits will work well.
Panfish:
For Bluegills slip bobber rigs are the way to go baited up with a good selection of live bait such as waxies, small leeches and red worms. Plastics are working under bobbers also; you just have to twitch your rod to make sure they have movement action. Crappies will be looking for cover in the weeds, downed trees or around cribs and a slip bobber rigged with small minnow or plastics; work them the same way as with Bluegills. Perch are in the weeds too, and using a selection of small leeches, (if you can still find them) red worms and small minnows on slip bobbers are the ticket for them.
Selective harvest is the way to go. Colin Crawford’s Guide Service, crawfordfishing@gmail.com (715)891-2715. Website is www.crawfordfishing.com or you can also find Phelps Outdoors on Facebook.
