Tips for Fall Fishing in a Kayak: It’s time to hit the water

We just had a slight cold front as I sit here writing this in early fall. I’ve actually been on a few dove hunts where I was able to bag a few before I sweated through my shirt.

Here’s a problem with late-summer hunting: heat. I don’t enjoy it, nor do the fish; They are more difficult to catch in August.

However, as fall approaches and the water cools, bass fishing becomes just as good after a whiting bite, especially in a kayak.

This is because most bass return to shallow water to feed heavily before winter slows their metabolism.

You rarely have to paddle far to find a bass ready to bite.
Where to start in the fall

The majority of bass have spent their summer in deeper parts of the water you are fishing, so one of the best places to start in the fall is near the depth change to determine if the bass are still in a summer pattern. If they are in a falling pattern.

You will find the fish a little deeper if they are still on their summer pattern. If they are in a fall pattern, you will catch them in shallow water.

During warm periods in the fall, I will fish from deep to shallow, but if we have a few days of cold weather, I like to start in shallow water and then move to deeper water if I’m not getting bites.

The great thing about fishing from a kayak during the fall is that you can often stay close to shore, which means you’re less likely to get run over by boats; Additionally, when the bass are shallow, you can do more catching rather than paddling.

Best fall fishing lure

Although in recent years I’ve begun to learn to slow down with some subtler hunting techniques, I’m still a pretty skilled hunter, and that plays into the hands of fall hunting.

My favorite fall magic is a

Crankbait
spinnerbait
Blade Boogie
jig

I learned to fish a crankbait, and just like in the spring, a crankbait is incredibly effective this time of year. I like squarebills running 3 to 5 feet deep in bluegill patterns, but I recommend using colors that are closest to the baitfish in your body of water.

A spinnerbait is one of my favorites because I can fish it a little deeper and change speeds if necessary. White and yellowish spinnerbaits are usually tied to my line in the fall to simulate shad.

I was late to jump on the bladed jig bandwagon, but I quickly discovered why so many anglers praise them once I started throwing them. Because it is so versatile, the Chatterbait is a great bait to use when fishing in shallow water or along the edge in the fall.

No fishing lure list is complete without a jig. I prefer a swim jig this time of year because you can always slow it down and retract it if it doesn’t bite on the move.

Moving lures are great for casting from a kayak because they are nearly impossible to stay in one place without the aid of a kayak trolling motor or PowerPole.

My hooking ratio improves dramatically with these baits, thanks to better hook sets with moving baits than my small plastic boat.

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Besides pumpkin lattes (which I’m not a fan of), fall is generally spent hunting, spending time with family outdoors, and of course, watching football.

Most kayak anglers miss out on the amazing opportunity that fall fishing provides. The adults are hungry and more ready to bite than they were during the summer, so get out there and catch them! Author Profile Wesley Littlefield lives in northeastern Oklahoma and is a contributing author for Anglers. Growing up, he was introduced to many different fishing styles by his father and discovered how much he loved being on the water. He followed in his father’s footsteps, introducing his wife and daughter to the amazing adventures that the outdoors has to offer!