Once the water drops into the 50's, it makes me wonder how the bite will be especially under a bright sun with wind. Well, I gotta say, it was unique to say the least and a learning experience!
The large flatland lake I usually fish was not an option considering the high winds recently that came from the south preventing casting accuracy to dying pad edges and pockets; boat position control was impossible. Anytime winds gust to 20 mph with waves, it becomes less fun. So, a smaller lake with high hills on two sides giving some wind protection was the next choice. Granted, the lake has smaller fish on average due to too many keeping fish, but occasionally some nice size fish and numbers of fish make for a nice day on the water.
Catching fish at first was sporadic and slow and sonar showed few fish along the shore I checked out. But in Sept. I remember doing very well in the north end and along the northeast shore and made for it on the 31st. 38 fish that included crappie, bass, yellow perch and sunfish - most on the small side - bit my Crappie Magnet on a 1/24 oz jig with easily detected strikes on 8# test braid. A shallow flat that extends along the shore for 60 yards, held fish as well as in adjacent deeper water. I'm talking 5-7'.
Two days ago, I found the same location-pattern at the other end of the lake but still on the same side. Quality for the day went up though numbers were down because of the wind. When I find fish, I want my anchored boat to hold position so I can fan cast the H out of the area before moving. Not happening when the wind is over 15 mph. I know the pattern will hold into late Nov. and look forward to more calmer days.
Note: the Magnet was never changed and it caught over 40 fish of the 60 fish caught in two days.
Here are some shots:
Started out pristine:
first fish caught:
