FS Digest wrote:
I'm a relatively new bass fisherman, still trying to figure these guys out. For the last week or so I've been noticing some new behavior at my local lake. In general the bite has turned off and I've seen hardly any activity at all from either bass or baitfish. But for a period of about 10-15 minutes each day I've gone fishing, the bass seem to be going nuts jumping out of the water. It'll happen in surges of about 30 seconds at a time, a few minutes apart, in a stretch of water about 75 yards wide, always in the same area of the lake. Seems like 10-15 bass all jumping out of the water at the same time. Now, I've seen bass hitting baitfish on the surface before, but this isn't what I'm used to seeing. Normally I'll see some signs of baitfish schooling around, and I normally see the bass hitting them one at a time. A splash here, a splash there. But not all at once like this. But this is just an eruption of fish with no warning, no signs of baitfish anywhere. I've seen Bluegill hanging out around 50+ yards from this area, but they seem pretty stationary lately. Haven't been seeing the schools of shad that I had been seeing all summer ever since the temps started dropping off. Mostly been in the 50's at night, and topping out around 75 during the day.
And as a side note, I've cast every damn type of lure I own into that frothing mess and not a single bite. Topwater, swim bait, dropshot, crankbait. Different presentations, different colors. Nothing is working for me.
Anyway, sorry for the wall of text. Anyone familiar with this behavior? Is this just a normal thing? Is it some kind of weird late year spawn? Is it a sign that there are baitfish there even if I'm not seeing the signs on the surface I'm used to? Are the bass just on drugs?
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by MightBeOnFire
I'm a relatively new bass fisherman, still trying ... (
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Any idea about what other kind of fish are in that lake? It sounds like they are being prayed upon from another type fish or perhaps otters. JMHO. Cheers!