Deep or Shallow in Fall? 2024
CrankFate reply :
I don’t usually fish bass this late in the season. If you were fishing now, would you hit a very shallow small pond? Or a bigger, much deeper reservoir?
Air temps have been 60-66 in the day and 45-55 at night.
Dens228 reply :
On Sunday I caught two 4 lb'ers in 12-14 feet of water on a jig/craw. A couple hours later I caught a 5+ in 2 feet of water on a jig/craw. I would go to the reservoir.
ohboyitsrobby reply :
Reservoir. I can catch em in the dirt on a lipless or spinnerbait right now. Or I can go fish deep and catch em on a variety of baits. Topwater and Alabama rig being my personal favorite. My weather is fairly similar to yours with high 60 water temps.
Cam R reply :
Bass go shallow to feed on shiners shad etc. in the fall , so i’d say fish more shallow with crankbaits swimbaits spinnerbaits. Hope this helps
papajoe222 reply :
I'd go with the reservoir, mainly because it takes longer for all that water to cool down. A three, or four acre shallow pond can drop a few degrees as a result of a cool night or two and doesn't take long to drop below 50 from top to bottom. Once both bodies of water stabilize throughout the water column, I'd go with the smaller, pond only because once the fish find their wintering spot, you can locate it much easier and target it throughout the winter period.
scaleface reply :
I plan to go a couple of more times this year before it gets too cold for me , not the bass . It will be to a 200 acre reservoir . The first place to get tried will be deep on a point .Sometimes bass will be loaded up here in the fall . If there are no takers in 15 to 30 minutes then a move will be made to the shallows .
Dens228 reply :
On 10/25/2019 at 10:04 PM, scaleface said:I plan to go a couple of more times this year before it gets too cold for me , not the bass . It will be to a 200 acre reservoir . The first place to get tried will be deep on a point .Sometimes bass will be loaded up here in the fall . If there are no takers in 15 to 30 minutes then a move will be made to the shallows .
The same plan I use every time I go out this time of year.
Catt reply :
On 10/25/2019 at 7:09 AM, Dens228 said:On Sunday I caught two 4 lb'ers in 12-14 feet of water on a jig/craw. A couple hours later I caught a 5+ in 2 feet of water on a jig/craw. I would go to the reservoir.
Yes sir! ????
What people don't understand is there's a shallow water bite & a deep water bite practical year round.
Dens228 reply :
On 10/25/2019 at 10:27 PM, Catt said:
Yes sir! ????
What people don't understand is there's a shallow water bite & a deep water bite practical year round.
I like to start where water temp is stable, then move to the shallows once the bite slows down or the shallow water warms up, especially around rocks or wood.
Catt reply :
On 10/25/2019 at 10:37 PM, Dens228 said:I like to start where water temp is stable, then move to the shallows once the bite slows down or the shallow water warms up, especially around rocks or wood.
Everyone heads shallow for that morning topwater bite...I let em have it!
I head offshore for that morning jig bite ????
AstroFishingTV reply :
I fish early fall in deeper locations such as main lake points and secondary point. As it gets in the "fall fling" portion, I head to the BACK of the creek and work my way out. I had a pro fisherman tell me to get back there that way I don't waste any time where they were a few weeks before.
Boomstick reply :
In those temps, I would fish shallow all day long, the fish are likely active and that's just my preference anyway. Here, the nights get into the 30s and most days are in the 50s with a few being above 60. Fish are starting to go deep, but some hang out shallow as well. That said, at the reservoir you should be able to to fish shallow and move to deeper water if that isn't working.
GReb reply :
Depends on how much time you have to spend on the water. If you just have a few random days I’d go shallow. If you can go often and spend time offshore finding the fish then you will locate more consistent fish all the way through the winter in deeper water
CrankFate reply :
Maybe I’ll try both. I was planning on Ned rigging it and Crankin it. But I’ll switch it up if they don’t work. I keep a little of everything in my bag of tricks.
Bankbeater reply :
Reservoir. I have a number of ponds around me and this time of year the bite is very inconsistent.
Pickle_Power reply :
I caught some quality fish last weekend on a 5 acre pond on a spinnerbait, and the water temps here are definitely colder. It has been near or below freezing overnight for a few weeks with highs in the 40's and 50's. Most of the fish were caught on the breakline between 2 feet and 7 feet.
That is what I can add from my recent experience.
The Bassman reply :
On 10/26/2019 at 9:08 PM, Pickle_Power said:I caught some quality fish last weekend on a 5 acre pond on a spinnerbait, and the water temps here are definitely colder. It has been near or below freezing overnight for a few weeks with highs in the 40's and 50's. Most of the fish were caught on the breakline between 2 feet and 7 feet.
That is what I can add from my recent experience.
I caught fish all winter at those depths last year. I do fish smaller waters like you're describing. FWIW Ned Kehde fishes less than 10' all winter in KS.
Luke Barnes reply :
I've been wondering the same thing. I'm a pond fisherman so not as deep of water, but wondered if they would move off the banks to the middle deepest spots of the pond and if I should cast to the middle instead of the banks more.
Pickle_Power reply :
On 10/26/2019 at 10:52 PM, Luke Barnes said:I've been wondering the same thing. I'm a pond fisherman so not as deep of water, but wondered if they would move off the banks to the middle deepest spots of the pond and if I should cast to the middle instead of the banks more.
If you are out on a day where it's sunny and warm(er), I believe they will be shallow if the sun has helped warm up that skinny water.
Bluegills are the main food source at the ponds I fish. I catch them through the ice all winter in 6-8 FOW. It stands to reason that the bass will be around them as well, at least when they're feeding. This tells me that I would rarely need to ply the deepest water, which is still only 12-13 feet.
CrankFate reply :
On 10/27/2019 at 9:16 AM, Pickle_Power said:If you are out on a day where it's sunny and warm(er), I believe they will be shallow if the sun has helped warm up that skinny water.
Bluegills are the main food source at the ponds I fish. I catch them through the ice all winter in 6-8 FOW. It stands to reason that the bass will be around them as well, at least when they're feeding. This tells me that I would rarely need to ply the deepest water, which is still only 12-13 feet.
Similar to here. Only I know they are eating other things, too. Mostly small things.
Meanwhile, I could’ve watched this https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/fall-bass-fishing.html
This one was linked to the BR video. Also helpful:
ww2farmer reply :
Like @Catt said BOTH.
I caught largemouth in 1 foot of water, and 8 foot of water yesterday, and smallmouth in 22 feet, and 30 feet. 52 degree water. 10 - 20 feet yesterday was a dead zone...except for pike.
scaleface reply :
Yesterday , I found baitfish deep but could not hook up with bass deep .Water temps 52 early 57 late. A move shallow resulted in 8 bass caught with two over 15 inches . It was a high bluebird sky a day after a cloudy , rainy front . Caught 6 bass on a toad and those fish really hammered it , just didnt get many hits .
Harold Scoggins reply :
On 10/25/2019 at 10:04 PM, scaleface said:before it gets too cold for me
I'm almost there, my arthritis tells me when to hang it up for the year.
Defiant Clone reply :
Lots of good information in here, so far the only bites I have had since the cold spurt has been from fishing shallow and going with a smaller profile lure (Rooster tail and Ned Rig).
I am going to have an opportunity to fish a reservoir this week, maybe I can hit some deep water and use my trust Chatterbaits/Jigs!!!!!
Jermination reply :
guys if you come across fish shallow, no matter what time of year, they are usually there to eat and are normally the most aggressive fish in the lake. once they come up shallow for the fall(especially back in creeks), they are there until the winter arrives. Throw the kitchen sink at them and create reaction bites, they'll eat something eventually
the reel ess reply :
Given those two choices I'll always choose shallow. Let's say you have a jon boat or a kayak with no electronics. In that shallow water you're going to drag some baits by some fish. But this time of year is shallow time for me. It's the last chance for the year for me to get a big gal in less than 5 or 6' of water. But skinny water bass will be shocked more easily by bitter cold snaps.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 10/28/2019 at 11:55 PM, Jermination said:guys if you come across fish shallow, no matter what time of year, they are usually there to eat and are normally the most aggressive fish in the lake. once they come up shallow for the fall(especially back in creeks), they are there until the winter arrives. Throw the kitchen sink at them and create reaction bites, they'll eat something eventually
Dont a lot of folks catch em dirt shallow all winter long down on your favorite lake?
WRB reply :
Deep or shallow is always a decision to make.
What do you all call shallow water? Deep water?
I garantee everyone has a different idea what is deep, shallow may have more agreement.
Tom
Jermination reply :
On 10/29/2019 at 2:18 AM, TnRiver46 said:Dont a lot of folks catch em dirt shallow all winter long down on your favorite lake?
as long as there are some sunny rocks nearby 
i caught 8 keepers saturday morning in an hour and half in < 3 ft of water
CrankFate reply :
On 10/29/2019 at 2:51 AM, WRB said:Deep or shallow is always a decision to make.
What do you all call shallow water? Deep water?
I garantee everyone has a different idea what is deep, shallow may have more agreement.
Tom
Shallow is 1-3 feet deep. Deep is 15-20 feet deep.
I did see a few decent fish scatter as I walked up to the water, maybe 18-20 inches deep. Surprised me because the water isn’t clear and they’d be invisible if they didn’t scatter. I found the bait. Late season quarter size baby panfish. A favorite food around here. I was using a Ned rig Hellgrammite at first because I’ve caught SMB there, they are very rare around here. No luck with anything. Except ruining a few fresh new rigs on the scattered rocks. The water was not clear, but it was as clear as it ever gets at that pond.
On 10/29/2019 at 3:04 AM, Jermination said:as long as there are some sunny rocks nearby
i caught 8 keepers saturday morning in an hour and half in < 3 ft of water
There were sunny rocks nearby, but the water was too clear. When I walked further down the bank and looked back to where the rocks are, for the first time ever, I could actually see all of the rocks and even the smaller jagged, grapefruit sized rocks. Strange because I could see them from far away looking at them from an angle, but they were barely visible up close.
Jermination reply :
On 10/29/2019 at 9:50 AM, CrankFate said:Shallow is 1-3 feet deep. Deep is 15-20 feet deep.
I did see a few decent fish scatter as I walked up to the water, maybe 18-20 inches deep. Surprised me because the water isn’t clear and they’d be invisible if they didn’t scatter. I found the bait. Late season quarter size baby panfish. A favorite food around here. I was using a Ned rig Hellgrammite at first because I’ve caught SMB there, they are very rare around here. No luck with anything. Except ruining a few fresh new rigs on the scattered rocks. The water was not clear, but it was as clear as it ever gets at that pond.
There were sunny rocks nearby, but the water was too clear. When I walked further down the bank and looked back to where the rocks are, for the first time ever, I could actually see all of the rocks and even the smaller jagged, grapefruit sized rocks. Strange because I could see them from far away looking at them from an angle, but they were barely visible up close.
hey man if the water is too clear or slick put a worm on a swinghead and swim it in. seems to help with the finicky ones when it is dead still or clarity is more so than usual. a general rule i go by is if it is too clear for a crankbait throw a chatterbait, you will catch the same fish
the reel ess reply :
On 10/29/2019 at 2:51 AM, WRB said:Deep or shallow is always a decision to make.
What do you all call shallow water? Deep water?
I garantee everyone has a different idea what is deep, shallow may have more agreement.
Tom
It is certainly relative. To me deeper than 8' is deep. I catch 90% of my fish shallow, if that's the line of demarcation.
TnRiver46 reply :
Where i live the shallow banks are 18-20. The deep ones are 35+. Last night i had my boat almost touching the bank getting my buddys lure unstuck and it was 24 feet under the transom with the trolling motor hitting rocks
CrankFate reply :
Well, the temp is 38 right now, would’ve tried now, but had to take my son to the dentist and then take my wife to the endodontist, back to back appointments. Hopefully, I’ll get to give it a shot—deep water—tomorrow.
Catt reply :
On 10/29/2019 at 2:51 AM, WRB said:Deep or shallow is always a decision to make.
What do you all call shallow water? Deep water?
I garantee everyone has a different idea what is deep, shallow may have more agreement.
Tom
Shallow or deep is relative to the body of water you’re fishing.
On the Main lake of Toledo Bend shallow is 15’, in the marshes I fish deep is 4-6’.
Fairtax4me reply :
On 10/26/2019 at 9:08 PM, Pickle_Power said:I caught some quality fish last weekend on a 5 acre pond on a spinnerbait, and the water temps here are definitely colder. It has been near or below freezing overnight for a few weeks with highs in the 40's and 50's. Most of the fish were caught on the breakline between 2 feet and 7 feet.
That is what I can add from my recent experience.
Similar experience here. Caught over 20 in an hour fishing a 10 acre pond last week. Spinner bait or swim bait in shallow water over grass or near wood cover.
I had started with a 3” swim bait, and caught about a dozen pretty quick, then changed to the spinner bait for a larger bait, and that brought a couple bigger bites. Including a 4.5lb out of less than a foot of water.
This was very clean water, mid 50s surface temp, and we’ve had midday temps in the upper 60s to low 70s, and low 40s overnight temps for a couple weeks now.
Throw Something that swims. When the water starts to cool off bass get fired up and into feeding mode when they know the winter is coming.
They will very likely be in all depths of water in a deeper reservoir, which can make them difficult to find if they decide they don’t want to eat that day.
A smaller pond, they will more likely be in shallower water and will be willing to chase down and hammer a moving bait.
Dens228 reply :
In keeping with the pattern I've been having, caught a few on a jerkbait at around 5 feet deep, and then caught a 20" bouncing a lipless crank off a rocky bottom next to a steep drop in 20 feet of water. Surface temp was 48.
Total cloud cover and very windy so the surface temp wasn't going to warm up today.
WRB reply :
Years ago when Aaron Martens statrted his B.A.S.S. Elite tour career I ran into him at a local tackle shop and everyone was asking him how fishing eastern lakes were verses our western lakes. Aaron stated the biggest difference he has to adjust to was fishing shallower in majority of the lakes.
The majority of western lakes are deep structure with steep banks that drop off quickly into very deep water so the bass live and suspend at specific depth zones, usually around 20' being average. Deep water is something deeper then 20', shallow water being something shallower the 8' on average.
As I write this in November the bass in the lakes I fish are about 3O' deep on average depending where the Threadfin Shad schools are located.
Tom
TriStateBassin106 reply :
On 10/26/2019 at 10:52 PM, Luke Barnes said:I've been wondering the same thing. I'm a pond fisherman so not as deep of water, but wondered if they would move off the banks to the middle deepest spots of the pond and if I should cast to the middle instead of the banks more.
I fish ponds here similar to you in New Jersey, yesterday me and my cousin wen't fishing at a local reservoir that was twice the size of my usual ponds. the air temperature at it's highest was only like 53, 4 hours and we didn't get anything, the water temperature there was reading 61, I tried jigging and finesse spinnerbaits and didn't get anything. this past Friday I went to a pond I frequently fish and managed to get 2 on a spinner bait and 3 more on jigs. it was about the same conditions except the air temperature was around 58.
I think in the winter time and late fall it's probably better to fish ponds if you don't have a boat and can track them down easily.
scaleface reply :
Yesterday there were no fish showing up on the deep point but there were a lot of fish showing up at 25 foot out in the middle of no-where , strange . I skipped fishing deep .water temp 48 degrees . Caught 23 bass , 20 on a spinnerbait , in the grass Four were over 15 inches with the largest being 3.75 lbs .
bazzelite19 reply :
Id say that depends on water clarity. Stained/muddy water will call bass and shad up shallow more generally. In clearer water they may be deeper, like 10-30 feet. Fall is still a time that most bait/bass are scattered about until they group up more come winter. Some fish wont leave deep water if they live there and some of the larger shad dont actually leave to the creeks. Many of the creek dwelling shad are young of the year shad. Most bass in a typical lowland lake should be in that 1-8 foot zone.
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