Note that in southern waters, where the spawning season can span more than a month, Kelly Jordon's offshore pattern could even be termed a Summer Peak event for those fish that have completed the actual spawn and recuperation period and have begun feeding in earnest. In the same lake, smaller bass might still be on their beds.
Fall Peak: The original In-Fisherman Calendar placed the fall period in three calendar periods, the Post-Summer, Turnover, and Coldwater periods. In the North Country, portions of the first and last of those periods are prime time for extra-large largemouths. The end of the Post-Summer Period sees thinning weedgrowth on large main-lake flats, but formation of dense beds of coontail and northern milfoil along breaklines, especially on inside corners more protected from the wind. This thick cover concentrates big bass that are seemingly more active and feeding more frequently than during the preceding three or four months.
Cranking the flats with shallow divers or big slow-moving spinnerbaits or buzzbaits is deadly when bass are scattered over large areas. When thick weed clumps can be identified by eye, sonar, or underwater cameras, casting or pitching jigs can produce some of the year's biggest bass. Though a pronounced fall turnover can slow fishing for a short while, the onset of the Cold Water Period sees a continuation of the big-fish window, though the bite slows as the water temperature drops into the low 40F range. Still, slowly fishing smaller jig-and-pig combos, hair jigs, and tube baits in key concentration areas can produce lethargic monsters until lakes freeze. Sunny, warmer days see increased bass activity.
In the central reservoirs Mitch Looper plies, he sees another sort of fall bite. "Late September typically experiences a movement of big bass onto channel breaks and offshore structure, particularly in flatland impoundments. Target these fish with big deep divers. The best action occurs during cloudy, windy days. Also, the fish turn on later in the day. I've learned that during that period, it's best to hit the lake about 11 a.m. and fish till about 6 p.m. The big fish typically turn off toward evening, though again a rising or setting moon can extend the bite and spur it further.
Coldwater Period: During the coldest winter days in the central United States, hardy anglers make some of the best big-fish catches. Mitch Looper waits until the water temperature in the Arkansas reservoirs he fishes drop into the low 40F range, usually in January. "Moon phase doesn't matter at this time," he says. "Big largemouths key on temperature-shocked shad, and great catches can be made with a little marabou crappie jig weighing 1/8 ounce. In the wake of a severe front, fish at dawn or dusk when it's coldest. The big fish don't feed as well during the warmer parts of the day for some reason."
Kelly Jordon notes another predictable big-bass peak. "When a severe front moves through and chills the surface water, that water sinks," he notes. "Big bass move shallow to avoid that slug of cold water, and we catch giants in two feet of water on 3/4-ounce red Rat-L-Traps. Target shallow spots close to deep water, and crank the Trap as fast as you can. It's purely a reaction strike.
"The big bass seem more sensitive to the cold water incursion, and they're the ones on the shallowest spots at this time of year. Once bass move up in late winter, they often remain shallow right into prespawn, since the shallows continue to offer the warmest water."
WEATHER WINDOWS
Our big-bass experts already have noted the importance of fronts in setting up a big bass chew and turning off the bite on the backside of the system. It pays to consult a barometer hourly when getting ready for a lunker hunt. A falling barometer usually indicates a storm or a front approaching, which typically turns on big bass.
