Even though the weather has been a bit warmer than it should be for this time of year, it’s easy to sense fall is on the way. As the days get shorter and the night temperatures begin to dip, wildlife takes notice and begins to prepare for the colder, winter months.

For an outdoorsman, this is a great time of year!

Nothing is better than the “fall feed” as I call it and I’ve learned that it not only applies to largemouth bass, but also our trout population in the mountains and even several saltwater species residing on our coast. Fish use the fall to “bulk up” by gorging themselves in an attempt to add to their fat layers and assist them in sustaining good health in the colder winter months. This opens a lot of doors for fishermen, and mouths for that matter. When bass get on a fall feed their appetite becomes insatiable and they tend to become very aggressive. This is good news for those of you who spent all summer chasing a finicky lunker … now could be the time you get him to strike.

However, the window of opportunity is a short one, so take advantage of it while it lasts. When the fall feed ends, colder water temperatures prevail and the fish population tends to get lethargic. There are still plenty of fish to be caught in the winter months, but several tactical changes need to be implemented if you hope to have any success. But in the meantime, now is the time to fish! I know it’s hard splitting the time between bow hunting and the boat, but at the end of the day it’s really a win-win situation regardless of what you choose to do. Isn’t it?