The Late Fall Feed
Cooler water temperatures still have fish positioned in shallow water and feeding before they begin their move to winter holes. Water will be around 50 degrees, still comfortable for fish.
Big fish are biting and are just about everywhere …wood, docks, grass remnants, and points. A variety of lures are working, including Lucky Craft 1.5 cranks, LVR D-7 lipless cranks, suspending Pointers and Mann’s 1/4-ounce Classic spinnerbaits.
For the crankbaits, use 12-pound test GAMMA Edge Fluorocarbon and vary speeds and mix in a few pauses. Lift and drop for the lipless cranks. Contact grass and wood and run alongside docks.
For the Points, use 10-pound test GAMMA Copoly line. Vary how hard you jerk and how long the bait sits. Watch the floating line for bites. The line will pop or move when a fish takes the bait on the pause. Use faster reels for all techniques this time of year to catch up to fish and the lure after movements. A medium-action, cranking rod works for all of these baits.
GAMMA Edge 12 pound test for the spinnerbait and a medium heavy rod will allow baits to be snapped out of grass. Run this bait at lower tides around cover including pitching under docks. Slow retrieves are working best.
Fish are reacting to moving lures better right now, but keep a Texas rigged Mizmo tube tied on for very specific targets like docks or wood. A spray of Jack’s Juice attractant helps.
Capt. Steve Chaconas is a guide on the Potomac River info@nationalbass.com
