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Writer's picturePete Cartwright

Fall Transition River Smallmouth Bass

Here in western Pa the rivers are exceptionally low for this time of year. Early fall the river are normally low but this year is something different they are at least a foot below normal.

 Fall is a time of change, leaves turn, and water cools and warms with that it brings constant change. This time of year can be tricky locating fish they can be scattered or piled up together, and they can be active or neutral. These are the times when you can switch baits from spinners to tubes or top water, Smallmouth Bass can hit just about anything you throw. When I am out fishing a river, I like to pick a stretch that offers all types of water from shallow, fast, deep, and slow.  As Fall moves along if the water is low and clear I like smaller baits fished slow also a jerk bait fished slow is a great choice.

 During Late October it can be great or not so bad. Fishing rivers can be very frustrating at this time of year leaves and water plants are flowing down the river at all levels of the water column. I like to use bottom bouncing soft plastics like the 412 Small Jaw Craw rigged on a 1/8 football head with a skirted jig. This puts vibration in the water from the craw so they can find it. Other options of course are Grubs and Tubes I also use 412ubes and the 412 Grub (in stained water) from 412 bait co any bottom bouncing bait should be good. Try this letting it just bounce along the bottom when it gets a little tough to catch Smallies.



SOTY Skirted Jig Smallmouth Bass
SOTY Skirted Jig Smallmouth Bass



Spots

1)    Islands

2)    Winter holes

3)    Summer areas

4)    Riffles and faster water

5)    Below riffles

6)    Pool tail outs

7)    Mud bottom with scattered rocks and timber

8)    Large Eddies

9)    Drop Offs


 Late Fall smallmouth will be moving to winter areas depending on water temperature they could be there in Mid-October. This can be an extremely hard time to catch them. Finding them can be difficult they can be pretty much anywhere due to migration. When I am out, I look at all areas if I can get out a few times a week I target as many different types of areas as possible on cloudy days, your luck goes up fish are moving around more


Nice Fall Smallmouth Bass
Pete Cartwright with a nice river smallmouth bass

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Oct 25
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Quick question… with the water low, do you find hangs ups a problem? Would top water lures or poppers be an effective way to legitimately catch fish without the worry of snags?

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I haven't really changed anything up just fish slower. I use weedless hooks and light tackle to feel the bait on the bottom.

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