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FALL
FISHING ON THE UPSWING
by
Steve McCadams
www.stevemccadams.com
(September 13th, 2001)
Fall doesn't officially
arrive until Saturday, September 22, according to the calendar, but
fishing patterns are already showing signs the seasons are changing.
This week's cooling trend has certainly made it feel like fall as
lower temperatures and humidity have signaled changes are on the horizon.
Already fish behavior has reflected the cooler surface temperatures.
Late afternoon and early morning along the shores of Kentucky Lake
will see thousands of shad breaking the surface as they dine on tiny
insects called midges. These microscopic bugs provide a vital link in the
food chain
for the lake forage base. Everyday they have a buffet.
Close behind are such species as crappie and bass. Bass especially
like to move up extremely shallow in the lowlight conditions and chase the
baitfish. Crappie don't come quite as shallow as do the bass but will make
a transition from deep venues in the main lake to secondary bays and
flats.
Both these species follow their forage. Each year during early
September the cooling trends arrive bringing down surface temperatures and
stimulating the feeding habits of larger fish.
This week, Kentucky Lake has cooled from the 85 degree range of two
weeks ago into the mid to upper 70's. Anglers like it and so do the fish.
The fish simply are more active as it cools and therefore, have to feed
more to meet the increased appetite.
Lake levels have been falling this week after the reservoir rose last
week to almost two feet above normal for this time of year. Observed
elevation in the Paris Landing area was almost 358 last weekend but was
showing a 357.2 reading at midweek.
Look for the reservoir to stabilize or fall rather slowly this next
week. Both crappie and bass will continue to migrate toward shallow areas
in the weeks ahead as surface temperatures continue to fall.
Expect bass to relate to the gravel and big rock banks where
crankbaits and various surface lures will stimulate strikes in the days
ahead. Don't forget the abundance of grassbeds where bass are relating to
the mass of vegetation. The grass is full of baitfish right now.
Crappie will begin to occupy the 10 to 15 foot zone in the week ahead
and some fish are already showing up in the 8 to 12 foot zones. There's a
lot of small fish there now but the larger fish will soon show up shallow.
Right now, the larger crappie are still relating to the main lake ledges
in
the 18 to 20 foot zones.
Fall fishing is about to improve so dust off your tackle and make
plans to test the water. It's a great time of the year to be on the lake.
Steve McCadams
is a professional hunting and fishing guide here in the Paris Landing
area and host of The Outdoor Channel's television series IN-PURSUIT. |
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