I'm having a hard time dissecting fall bass fishing patterns. What's a good rule of thumb in water temperature to decide weather the fish have transitioned to there winter stages, or are still in a fall foraging pattern?

I'm having a hard time dissecting fall bass fishing patterns. What's a good rule of thumb in water temperature to decide weather the fish have transitioned to there winter stages, or are still in a fall foraging pattern?

Generally the 65 to 60 degree water temps at the depth the bass are located, not surface temps. When you see the bass going deeper in lieu of migrating horizontal with a specific depth range, it signals fall-winter transition period.

Tom

Normally that movement (fall to winter) won't occur until the lake turns over and the water temp. stabilizes from top to bottom.  If the cooling down happens at a slow rate, the turnover won't be noticeable visually and the only way to determine a stable water temp is to measure it from top to bottom.

There is no specific temperature where this occurs in all lakes as a shallow body of water can turn over at water temps in the upper 50's in northern lakes and as high as mid 60's in some deep/southern resevuoirs.

If you don't have the ability to measure water temp, the presence or absence of baitfish in the shallower sections of the lake is a good indicator.

Follow the bait...they will lead you to the bass

Follow the bait...they will lead you to the bass

The most of the waters where I fish/live, Utah, don't have shad or shiners. We have bluegill, perch, or trout in most places. As far as i understand. Do the same rules apply?

Yelp

Utah seems like a world away from Michigan, but the "migration" has already happened here. In natural lakes here fish spend the majority of the summer in mid to deep water, saaaayyyy 12 feet and up. They love vegitation and can be difficult to locate and catch on hot days. The weather has since cooled off and it's truely like a light switch. When there deep summer vacation weeds start to die off, huge schools of bluegill will start to show up in shallow water where the water is still warm enough to support weed growth. Guess what, Mr. 4 pounder is not far behind. Like Catt said, find the bait find the fish. With the lack of vegitation, they almost always choose the next best option in terms of cover. The only thing left is a few docks and vertical sea walls. Since there is so little to choose from isolated solid structure can be loaded.

 

Here, I find the bait shallow in the fall and that's where the bass are too. I had an outstanding week last week. Wish I could go more often, days are short and there isn't very many days left.

We place to much emphasis on water temperature & bass when we should place that emphasis on water temperatute & bait fish.

Generally the 65 to 60 degree water temps at the depth the bass are located, not surface temps. When you see the bass going deeper in lieu of migrating horizontal with a specific depth range, it signals fall-winter transition period.

Tom

times 2.  you need to look up tom's cosmic clock calendar.  it will help you understand the seasonal patterns much better.

 

bo