CRANKBAITS FOR FALL FISH
By Bob Jensen

There are a lot of ways to catch fish at any time of the year. In the fall, many anglers are looking for big fish, and crankbaits are an excellent style of lure to use for big fish of almost any species here in the Midwest. Here’s a couple of ways you can use crankbaits to catch more big fish in the next couple of months.

If you want to catch fish, first you have to find them. In the fall you can find fish on shallow rocks, along deep weedlines, or suspended over deep water and chasing baitfish. Where the fish are will determine how we’re presenting the lure.

On shallow rocks or along a weedline, a casting presentation will generally work best. It simply isn’t practical or efficient to try trolling over or along rocks that are only a couple of feet deep: You’ll spook the fish and ding your prop, and neither of those are good. Casting is definitely best.

FireLine is quickly becoming the choice for casting crankbaits. FireLine in the 14/6 size is perfect for most situations. It provides better hooksets, increased running depth, sensitivity, and it is tough enough to reduce lost baits due to snags.

If the fish, whether it’s walleyes, muskies, or pike, are in open water, a trolling presentation will be preferred. Trolling allows an angler to keep the bait in the fish zone for a much longer period of time, increasing the odds for getting bit. Be sure to use a bait that will run just above the level where the fish are.

If bass are the quarry, select a crankbait that is short and fat in shape. A Frenzy Diver is a good example of a very productive bass crankbait.

For walleyes or any other fish that is longer and thinner in shape, a longer, thinner bait will be good. Frenzy Diving Minnows or Firesticks have been coming on strong in the walleye world.

Color is another consideration. Typically, brighter colors are best in stained water; natural colors are a good place to start in clear water. Be sure to consider the conditions though. If the lake is clear, but you’re fishing a rock shoreline that the wind is blowing into, the water you’re fishing could be cloudy. Try a bright color to start with, but don’t hesitate to change if it’s not working.

One last idea on crankbaits. Fall is big fish time, and big fish in the fall prefer larger baits. Use the largest crankbaits in your box and don’t be surprised if you catch the biggest walleye, bass, pike, or musky on it during the fall.

For more fish-catching information, visit fishingthemidwest.com