Tiz the Season

[rivereddy]

Good Day,

I posted this on a local smallmouth forum a couple of days ago.  It refers to conditions in central Indiana, (about 39 deg N Lat.) and is based on
personal experience only.

Everybody has their own quirks when it comes to fishing and what works for one angler may not work for another.  Comment freely if you wish, but I'll just put this out there. For me:
                  The second best time of the year to fish the
                   river is October 7th, plus or minus 5 days.

Rational:   The water is cooling, but not cold and fish are generally aggressive.
                 The weeds, (Usually) have died back and the streams are clear.
                  Leaf drop is (Usually) not yet an issue.
                 Cooler temps mean less bugs and fewer fairweather anglers.
                 The weather is more predictable and generally more stable.
                 Unlike the best time of the year, the spring binge, these dates are fairly
                 reliable whereas the spring bite could be as early as March or as late as
                 late April.

 Needless to say, the "bestest" time to go fishing is whenever one can


Fish on, (especially now)

rivereddy

[Daybreak]

I like your thinking!

[Teacherpreacher]

Well done! Great time to be on the river, or lake.
I have found lake dates for northern Indiana, depending on climate changes, etc., Oct., Nov., and into December produce well. I chase mainly bluegills with micro baits, 1/32- 1/64 oz jigs tipped with gulp and fly rod. I catch them anywhere from the bank to 20 ft of water. Like said, no bugs, fewer boats and great weather!
Teach

[fishinator]

I love the fall bite too.  We get into the pike good on the river when you have to cast to the opening in the leaves and steer through them on the retrieve.

[bigr]

I fished the Missinnawa River over the weekend and being out this time of year is great. You rarely see others and when you do they are usually as quite and relaxed as you are. Things seem to slow down this time of year.

[taxid]

You forgot to mention in the fall most of the annoying speed boats and jet skis aren't there. Most, but not all.

Most of the lake people pack up and go back to the city.

[rivereddy]

Yep,  'round yar we refer to them at "Sea Lice"

fish on, and it's on,

rivereddy