Shallow Water Action

As the hot weather and water temps give way to the milder weather and cooler water temps of early fall a lot of fisherman including myself look forward to this time of year. And with good reason. The water temps in the shallow water and surface water have been in the mid 80 degree range for quite some time.

This type of shallow water temps will keep the fish like the crappie and bass deeper and not very active in the shallow or surface water areas except at night or during overcast and cloudy weather. But after a bunch of these cool nights and mild days the surface temps will start dropping into the mid to high 70s. This will bring on increase in top water and shallow water action.

I have already got some reports of some good night bass fishing on top water baits like the buzz bait. And the best thing is that the top water action will just keep getting better and better as the water temps drop. For as long as I can remember the best early top water bass fishing action has always started on the Tennessee lakes before it comes in here. Sometimes as much as three weeks before it starts here. This is a time that lots of anglers dream about all summer long.

The reason for this is because this is not only a time that you can catch a lot of bass on top water but it is also a time to catch some big fish also. The bass can sense that the cooler weather and winter is coming so they will start feeding more to store up body fat . This will cause the bass to move into a typical early fall pattern that consist of feeding more and more in the shallow water and on the surface. A smart angler will use this pattern to their advantage and will catch more bass than if they fished some other way.

At this time of year you have to remember that it is still early in to this cooler season. And that the best fishing is still a few weeks away. So keep this in mind. Signs of this top water action will be things like seeing bait fish more active in shallow water areas and bait fish breaking the surface more. Most of the time when the bass are in this type of pattern they will feed very close to the bank. Look for areas like long steep rocky banks, weed bed edges, areas with a creek channel running close to standing timber and also areas like main lake points, humps and islands and the mouths of creeks.

Any of these type of areas are good places to start top water fishing. And if the area has deeper water close by this is a big plus. After you find a area of the lake you want to fish start your cast parallel to the bank and bring the bait back down the bank close to the bank and fish the bait all the way back to the boat.By fishing like this you will greatly increase your success rate of catching fish. Because you will be keeping your bait in the fishes strike zone for the entire cast. because the bass should be holding shallow close to the bank . Also you will be fishing in a high percentage area that will increase your chance to catch more bass.

There are several types of top water baits that will work good at this type of fishing including the buzz bait. I know all of this sounds like a good day on the water and it is but as a said the best fishing is a few weeks away so for now stick to night fishing and on over cast days. Good luck and good fishing