Fall is a great time for crappie fishermen, like Tim Huffman, who finds great numbers during transition time at Kentucky Lake.

The transitions between the seasons create great opportunities to find lots of hungry fish. Northern fishermen will soon have ice, but go a little farther south, and anglers enjoy soft water that will, depending upon weather, continue throughout winter.

Water temperatures

“Water temperatures are very important in fall,” says Garry Mason, Kentucky Lake expert and founder of Legends of the Outdoors Hall of Fame. “In early fall, there is still a thermocline that comes into play, with crappies being above it. The thermocline depth varies with lake conditions and surface temperature. As thermoclines disappear and waters cool as they do in November and December, big changes take place.”

Mason gives credit to cooler water for putting crappies into a feeding mode that will last until winter. “The fish on Kentucky Lake usually get into the mid-depths to do their serious feeding. Some will move shallow in late afternoon on sunny days if shallow water warms a little and shad go shallow.

“November may be our best month here on the lake. Everything is based upon our weather and water temperatures, but fall is always a time fishermen look forward to every year.”

Finding and catching

“Fish will locate on structure at whatever depth the shad are running, with stake beds being very important on Kentucky Lake,” says Mason.

“Our lake starts drawing down in July; they ease it down slowly until it reaches winter pool in mid-November. So, in the fall, the lake has been pulled down enough that there is little or no water in the backs of the creeks. Therefore, look for cover or beds along main creeks in shallow pockets and along the main banks.”

Mason says one-pole LiveScoping is the new trend, but other techniques work, too. Mason enjoys casting. “I fish so much shallower than most others in fall, especially after the water gets cooler. On a calm, sunny day, fish will pull up on a shallow spot where there is some cover like a stake bed. With the water down, stakes are often sticking up out of the water.

“I set a jig or minnow at a foot or foot-and-a-half below a float and fish the bed. I cast past the bed, bring it back to the bed and stop the float. It’s important to watch for tiny movements or the float tipping over on its side. Any float movement means it’s time to set the hook.”

Casting equipment includes a 6- to 7-foot spinning rod with light or medium-light action. The softer rod makes it easier to lob a jig or minnow further distances. A slip-float also aids in getting more distance. The key is to match the float to the bait so it takes very little resistance to show a strike. Also, a lighter setup with light line means more bites.

Trolling jigs, usually called pulling or long lining, is a good way to cover water to find and catch crappies. Guide and tournament fisherman Kent Williams (870-838-6655) says, “I like to spider rig, but jigs will work up until winter when the water gets cold. The advantage of pulling is going speeds of 1.0 to 1.4 mph so a lot of water can be covered. It’s also a good method when the wind is too strong for other techniques. The disadvantage is turning around. Also, it’s a technique that causes a lot of jigs to be lost. But, the technique does draw a lot of reaction bites and is a fun way to fish. This method works until the water gets to around 50 degrees, which is much later in southern regions than in the north.

Bait size

Expert fishermen have mixed opinions about fall baits. Many believe fall is a time for smaller baits.

Mason says he keeps it simple. “I’m fishing a 1/16-ounce Charlie Brewer Slider Grub all year long. It’s been successful for me so I stick with it.”

Williams varies jig weight based upon speed and fishing depths. He’s happy using small or medium weights and dark or light colors. “I use different bodies, sizes and colors until the fish show me what they prefer. I give them a variety because colors and sizes change day to day and even hour to hour.”

For more fall fishing insight, check out the fall issues of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.