Wil Wegman

Question:

Smallmouth bass fishing is sort of tough this month. Weather is still good but those smallies are gone from regular spots (about 8 ~15 fow). 
I did well in these areas (points, shoal, shoreline) this summer using crankbait and tubes and other soft baits, but couldn't make them bite the last couple of outings. Also, majority of perch are gone. They were crazy in shallow water this summer. Now I believe they are getting together and moving to certain area. Some gobies are still there.

That might be a fact that baitfish left so that Bass follow them, right?
Or, Bass are still in these area but I have to use different pattern to make them bite.

What will you suggest? How deep of water should I go?

Best Regards,

Wei Lin

Answer:

Yes this is the period of transition and nowhere can the month of September and even early October be more frustrating than on our beloved Lake Simcoe.   Bass are making the move from gorging on crayfish to pelagic baitfish- smelt, shiners etc ... so they’re scattered looking for those food sources.   Some will still be shallow – but more spread out- while others have already gone deep.  Try adjacent to some of the areas you were fishing this summer Wei- but move out deeper... from 15-30 feet.   Tubes and drop shot work well ... watch your graph like a hawk ... often doing more cruising and looking for fish than actually fishing for them. Jerk baits like the Rapala X Rap can produce too- overtop mid lake shoals and even in that deeper water ... as these bass are now looking up to feed instead of down!

Hope this helps and good luck this fall!

Wil Wegman