These haven’t been what a lot of folks would call “good fishing conditions.”
Passing cyclones along the East Coast have roughed up the seas and kept a lot of folks in port. Approaching cold fronts from the northwest have seen a lot of the inland fishery guessing.
Some folks have just shaken it off and done something else while they waited for better times.
But believe it or not, there actually is some pretty good fall fishing action – especially when you throw the freshwater scene into the mix.
And you should.
Heck, most anglers got their start in fishing by catching bluegill on canepoles, bobbers and a piece of earthworm.
So lets go there – to one of the neighborhood water-retention ponds, a body of water at a local farm, one of the saline water wind-tide tributaries that dot the area, or even the water supply lakes in Suffolk.
They all can yield quality – much better than average to the sure – results that include good numbers.
Few people fish these freshwater havens but the ones that do tend to practice catch-and-release. Some even bring fish they’ve caught at larger bodies of water and released them in their neighborhood fishing hole.
Mother Nature, by virtue of bird populations, have filled in a majority of the gaps.
Whatever your situation, leave saltwater alone and head to the pond.
Your biggest chance of noticeable success will be provided by a multitude of species – bluegill, crappie, catfish and largemouth bass – just a few of the opportunities.
The top species in the county, barring none, is the bass.
Thick, powerful, fast and hungry, bass love to pend their time in the shadows of shoreline things like docks and fallen timber. When an edible bait swims by, bass dart out to nab it.
That’s why a scary number of fishing lures are on the market – most designed to catch anglers way before they ever get wet.
While spring is the overall best time to catch big bass, fall isn’t none too shabby.
Bass are eating heavily to fatten up in preparation of the upcoming cold.
That frame of mind and hungry belly make bass extremely vulnerable to the offerings of humans.
It’s also what makes a largemouth bass one of the most sought after species to swim. Millions of dollars are spent on the sport across the country. The fish has been the source of countless local, regional and national tournaments which get more play from the media than any other fish.
Yes, there are huge billfish tournaments that feature millions of dollars walking around at dock parties.
But pound for pound, with all of its technology and the art form of simply trying to figure out a fish’s “pattern,” (what the fish are doing) the largemouth bass is king of the freshwater court.
Things in the saltwater scene that have been nothing shy of crazy eventually will settle down and action will return to its normal place for this time of year.
In the mean time, tie on a couple of spinnerbaits, topwater frogs and diving plugs and take care of that need for pullage that’s been driving you crazy.
And by all means, pray for the people in Jamaica.To read more of my work, go to: leetolliveroutdoors.com
