Toughest Time of Year? 2024
Paul Roberts reply :
What's the toughest time of year for you guys. And... in what state are you located?
scaleface reply :
Northern Missouri here which is a world of difference from southern Missouri , Winter because it freezes and even if it doesnt ice over the fishing is painstakingly bad . Its the only time I expect to get skunked .
ClackerBuzz reply :
PA.
All the transition times suck algae while the fish get acclimated.
Late winter to early spring.
Late spring to early summer.
Late summer to early fall.
Late fall to early winter.
Honorable mention goes to hottest temps of summer with lowest oxygen contentent. I'd probably say the same for peak cold temps but no way I'm out there drilling ice
WRB reply :
Can't think of a toughest time it's good year around in SoCal!
Tom
DogBone_384 reply :
It's ice over for me Massachusetts. I'm catching bass and trout right now.
I might give ice fishing a whirl this winter, just to see if it's worth it.
lo n slo reply :
NC - western piedmont
for me it's January, with August a distant second ( unless you go at night.)
Dwight Hottle reply :
PA
August is the toughest month forme on Erie as the fish are very deep.
A-Jay reply :
Up in Northern Michigan ~
No Question ~ It's Turn Over.
Lakes turn into Nasty Cold Soup for two weeks.
Fortunately, they don't all do it at the same time.
Once it clears up though - it can be & often is very good.
Reminds me of Post Spawn just with gloves on
A-Jay
Catt reply :
Louisiana Gulf Coast
Toughest time of the year?
Probably the dead of winter but only because I hate cold!
Mainebass1984 reply :
Maine and Vermont.
The hardest time of the year for me to catch trophy bass is in August.
portiabrat reply :
Green Bay.
In Fall, after turnover, the smallies that live near me stop hanging out around structure, and they start chasing baitfish in open water. They can be just about anywhere in ~50 square miles of water, which makes finding them incredibly difficult.
Wayne P. reply :
In Virginia its when I make a cast and my presentation bounces off a frozen surface.
A-Jay reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 2:03 AM, Wayne P. said:In Virginia its when I make a cast and my presentation bounces off a frozen surface.
You know I can relate to that.
But I chose not go there. . . . .
A-Jay
"hamma" reply :
yeah, crankbaits dont want to run right on ice.
At the very least, even the dog days of summer here in Massachusetts are better than winter. Although I hate extreme heat, the mornings are cooler and once the topwater bite dies off, I can go home and hide in the ac.
Paul Roberts reply :
VERY cool answers, bc of the diversity. What's that they say: All politics is local. Or probably should be.
On 10/16/2016 at 1:12 AM, Mainebass1984 said:Maine and Vermont.
The hardest time of the year for me to catch trophy bass is in August.
Why is that do you think?
Torn Thumb reply :
MA - As soon as I see open water. But that could be my impatience.
Catt reply :
I love dogs days of summer! 
Tournament
August 2005: Team tournament, 5 bass @ 33.37
August 2003: 5 bass @ 30.667
Non-tournament
August 2007: 10.66, 10.89, 8.99 = 30.54; finished with 5 bass @ 42.46
Number of Double Digits caught during August; 14
Gundog reply :
For me its when I'm force to work 12 hours a day. No fishing and very little sleep. And winter cause I hate icefishing.
bigfruits reply :
middle of winter because i cant get myself out on the water. im in VA
IndianaFinesse reply :
When there's to much ice to break through, but not enough to ice fish on.
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 4:15 AM, Paul Roberts said:Why is that do you think?
Of all the months that I fish open water I have caught the fewest 7s in August. I consistently catch 5s and 6s during the day but getting a fish over 7 is a challenge. I have caught fish over 7 lbs at night in August but not many. In my opinion most of the largest bass in a lake feed at night during the warmest time of year. In addition to the having the warmest water temperature. August also has the heaviest recreation use, swimmers, water skiers, kayakers, canoeist as well as fisherman. At times fish can be very very deep and on bluebird post cold front days it is a challenge.
I do not know why it is hard for me to catch a fish over 7 lbs during the day in August but I do have a couple ideas. Perhaps fishing during the day I should target fish deep, 30-55 ft. I do believe though that during that time of the year most of the trophy 7 plus pounders are feeding at night. I should spend more time targeting them at night. I know it works I just need to spend more time doing it.
blckshirt98 reply :
Northern California - December/January when it dips to the 20's at night. Everything is closed to boating and from shore everything just seems to be dead as a post, might as well be casting into a swimming pool. I pack up the bass gear and fish a couple of reservoirs that get weekly plants of trout until springtime rolls around.
MassYak85 reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 12:13 AM, DogBone_384 said:It's ice over for me Massachusetts. I'm catching bass and trout right now.
I might give ice fishing a whirl this winter, just to see if it's worth it.
Try it! A few traps, bucket of shiners (or jig rod if you want to stay artificial) and an ice pick and you're in business....plus the proper winter gear of course. I do better through the ice than a lot of days in the summer actually.
Worst time for me is the transition period before and after winter, where the ice is starting to form and not safe, and at the end when the ice is melting and not safe. Means no ice fishing or regular fishing.
Gundog reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 1:11 AM, Catt said:Louisiana Gulf Coast
Toughest time of the year?
Probably the dead of winter but only because I hate cold!
Cold in Louisiana??? How cold are we talking here?
Bluebasser86 reply :
For me it's September/October in Kansas. The fish get into the summer/fall transition and go into the late summer pattern of "summer here, summer there". There's really not a concentration of fish in any parts of the lakes and big fish evaporate into thin air. I usually spend a little time at the power plant lakes during those months because they aren't as effected because of their warmed water.
I hate the weather in the winter, but the fishing at the power plant lakes can be red hot.
Bankbeater reply :
I would say spring in Mo. That is when the weather can change in a second. The high temp might be 35 on Monday and 80 on Wednesday.
Catt reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 11:55 AM, Gundog said:Cold in Louisiana??? How cold are we talking here?
Air temperatures in the 30s with humidity in the upper 90s or rain!
Yea I know it aint snow & ice like up north but if you don't wear a slicker suit even when it's not raining the humidity will soak you to the core.
Hypothermia will set in from humidity!
Paul Roberts reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 7:04 PM, Catt said:Air temperatures in the 30s with humidity in the upper 90s or rain!
That is pretty serious weather. 40 degree rains can kill you. That can be worse than snow. Heck, here in arid CO I've been skiing in a t-shirt.
On 10/16/2016 at 7:04 PM, Catt said:
On 10/16/2016 at 1:23 PM, Bluebasser86 said:For me it's September/October in Kansas. The fish get into the summer/fall transition and go into the late summer pattern of "summer here, summer there". There's really not a concentration of fish in any parts of the lakes and big fish evaporate into thin air.
Yeah, that drawn out summer weather can be a drag here too. The changes can be a challenge to follow. Or, at times, it just seems the bass are out of commission.
Jaderose reply :
Right now when I'm working on the wife's car on a beautiful fall day and I know the big girls are bitin!
Catt reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 9:43 PM, Paul Roberts said:That is pretty serious weather. 40 degree rains can kill you. That can be worse than snow. Heck, here in arid CO I've been skiing in a t-shirt.
My oldest brother lived in Gunnison 16 yrs, he freezes down here because you're either overdressed or underdressed.
Logan S reply :
MD/VA area checking in here....
Catching-wise, dead of winter can be pretty tough, January and the first half of February usually...Basically after the water temp has bottomed out and before it starts to slowly warm up. This is also the time of year we deal with ice, the last few years we've had much more ice than normal so it's been tougher. In 'normal' years, the Potomac stays mostly ice-free as does most of Lake Anna so there are options all winter in normal years. The one nice thing about this time of year is that the fish are fairly predictable, it's possible to have some pretty good days if you can deal with the cold. The tides on the Potomac and the nuke-plant influence on the temperature and circulation on Anna are big positives for winter fishing. There's some other viable locations for winter fishing around here too, but I fish the Potomac and Anna most often this time of year.
Pattern-wise, September is the toughest month of the year to figure them out consistently for me. It's usually a month of junk fishing and scrambling around. The average day is usually still better than the dead of winter, but there are very few 'great' days. It usually means a lot of burnt gas and a lot of rods on the deck .
"hamma" reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 7:41 AM, Mainebass1984 said:==- Of all the months that I fish open water I have caught the fewest 7s in August. I consistently catch 5s and 6s during the day but getting a fish over 7 is a challenge. I have caught fish over 7 lbs at night in August but not many. In my opinion most of the largest bass in a lake feed at night during the warmest time of year. In addition to the having the warmest water temperature. August also has the heaviest recreation use, swimmers, water skiers, kayakers, canoeist as well as fisherman. At times fish can be very very deep and on bluebird post cold front days it is a challenge.
I do not know why it is hard for me to catch a fish over 7 lbs during the day in August but I do have a couple ideas. Perhaps fishing during the day I should target fish deep, 30-55 ft. I do believe though that during that time of the year most of the trophy 7 plus pounders are feeding at night. I should spend more time targeting them at night. I know it works I just need to spend more time doing it.
Your right about deep water, and night feeding as well, I know that both options have validity in the stress's of august heat here in New England, night fishing I caught a 9 many years ago, but deep? a 7+? not that I recall that big, but good ones nonetheless..
Anyways, In August, or even the heat of September I find them in the shallows, hiding under pads, in extremely think cover. So, if your out fishing deep next august, and not finding the 7+ your looking for, try a frogging technique before you head home ,..Some big girls are hiding in the slop
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 11:46 PM, "hamma" said:Your right about deep water, and night feeding as well, I know that both options have validity in the stress's of august heat here in New England, night fishing I caught a 9 many years ago, but deep? a 7+? not that I recall that big, but good ones nonetheless..
Anyways, In August, or even the heat of September I find them in the shallows, hiding under pads, in extremely think cover. So, if your out fishing deep next august, and not finding the 7+ your looking for, try a frogging technique before you head home ,..Some big girls are hiding in the slop
I fish a lot of slop in August with a frog. Ive caught good fish doing that,, 5s and 6s, and it is a very fun way to fish. I haven't got any 7s on a frog in August. I have put in a lot of time and effort attempting to do so.Given the choice between fishing deep or fishing at night, I always will choose to fish at night. I have had much better luck at night. The only 7s I have caught in the heat of August are at night. I have yet to get a 7 during the day in August.
Once the calendar turns to September and the water temperatures begin to fall it is totally different. Big fish are feeding during the day. I take a 10 day vacation every year in September. The fishing can be some of the best of the season.
Paul Roberts reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 10:51 PM, Logan S said:Pattern-wise, September is the toughest month of the year to figure them out consistently for me. It's usually a month of junk fishing and scrambling around.
"Junk fishing and scrambling around". That would describe my Septembers and Octobers.
On 10/17/2016 at 12:58 AM, Mainebass1984 said:Once the calendar turns to September and the water temperatures begin to fall it is totally different. Big fish are feeding during the day. I take a 10 day vacation every year in September. The fishing can be some of the best of the season.
Interesting. I've had great days during the initial cool-down. I attribute it to water temps falling, water levels dropping and vegetation dying back, exposing prey fishes. I also look for re-heating days in the shallows. But it is far from consistent. Some days my waters seem more dead than alive.
hunterPRO1 reply :
toughest for me 100% summer time, georgia.
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 10/17/2016 at 1:15 AM, Paul Roberts said:"Junk fishing and scrambling around". That would describe my Septembers and Octobers.
Interesting. I've had great days during the initial cool-down. I attribute it to water temps falling, water levels dropping and vegetation dying back, exposing prey fishes. I also look for re-heating days in the shallows. But it is far from consistent. Some days my waters seem more dead than alive.
Once I see the water temperature is from 65-75 degrees it is ON. Still plenty of green weeds too. Weeds have just started to die off as the water temps are now 55-60 degrees. I am not sure about the baitfish in your area but there are several species of baitfish here in New England that spawn in the fall. They will congregate and be shallow.
I hate junk fishing. I am always trying to get on a specific pattern. One specific pattern seems to unfold for me in September that seems to always produce. Getting away form the shoreline is part of it.
Team9nine reply :
Another vote for September here in Indiana. Not that it is horrible or anything, but most waters go through turnover process during the course of September here, and the lack of stability, I believe, makes for a very sporadic, if not unpredictable bite that usually gets better right around the end of the month. Thermoclines are dropping and oxygen concentrations are usually the poorest during this same time period.
-T9
Paul Roberts reply :
On 10/17/2016 at 1:44 AM, Mainebass1984 said:Once I see the water temperature is from 65-75 degrees it is ON. Still plenty of green weeds too. Weeds have just started to die off as the water temps are now 55-60 degrees. I am not sure about the baitfish in your area but there are several species of baitfish here in New England that spawn in the fall. They will congregate and be shallow.
I hate junk fishing. I am always trying to get on a specific pattern. One specific pattern seems to unfold for me in September that seems to always produce. Getting away form the shoreline is part of it.
My waters do not have fall spawning fishes. It's all sunfishes and young bass as fodder. By 'junk fishing' I mean chasing weeds -as the dying back begins. One week the beds are intact, a week or so later and they are falling apart. Would help if I stayed on one water body. Got quite a surprise the other day when I burned my fishing time sneaking into position on known hot-spots -major milfoil beds- only to find each of them collapsed and essentially gone. I spent my remaining time looking for remaining weeds and when I found them -in places I don't normally fish- they were packed with bluegills! I had to pull out and go at that point though. I know where to spend my time this week however. With the sparser cover, and clear water (4ft or so), I'll be dropping into lighter tackle now.
What pattern are you referring to? What are those bass doing? (PM me if needed.)
On 10/17/2016 at 3:11 AM, Team9nine said:Another vote for September here in Indiana. Not that it is horrible or anything, but most waters go through turnover process during the course of September here, and the lack of stability, I believe, makes for a very sporadic, if not unpredictable bite that usually gets better right around the end of the month. Thermoclines are dropping and oxygen concentrations are usually the poorest during this same time period.
-T9
Most of my waters are too shallow to turn over. So, that's not it here. Difficulties I've had in September seem to be when "summer" continues into September. Water temperature does seem to be important and I look forward to temps dropping into the seventies. This year it happened way early, with a string of back-to-back cold fronts in August. The fishing was very good and the bass were jumpers; Always love that. The bass also began to fatten up again after a hot spell that started in June this year, during which many of the bass got thin. I made three videos during those cold fronts, describing them as "fall conditions in summer".
I think light levels play a big role by mid-September too, with longer shadows developing that simply reduce light penetration. Every water body is different though in terms of exactly what's at play: temperatures, lighting, cover, water levels, and clarity, being primary factors.
Dwight Hottle reply :
Bass migration in the northern waters almost always happens within 10 days of the fall equinox per the In Fisherman. That supports the light level Paul just mentioned. On the great lakes that seems to be about right for the smallies to start moving from deep to shallow.
IndianaFinesse reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 10:53 AM, blckshirt98 said:Northern California - December/January when it dips to the 20's at night. Everything is closed to boating and from shore everything just seems to be dead as a post, might as well be casting into a swimming pool. I pack up the bass gear and fish a couple of reservoirs that get weekly plants of trout until springtime rolls around.
The temps here regularly dip down into the low twenty's for high in December/January!
TnRiver46 reply :
East Tennessee (no natural lakes)
fishing on reservoirs is toughest for me in the summer. July August and some of sept (with the exception of a daylight top water bite). Winter time is excellent fishing on our reservoirs. The shallow fast rivers upstream of the reservoirs are the exact opposite, they are about useless in the dead of winter but fish awesome in the hottest conditions.
Kyhokie reply :
North Dallas: Sept and October. I'm in the thick of it right now.
Mike L reply :
So Florida..There really isn't any "tough" time of year, just tougher conditions.. It's a fact Fla strain bass do not like cold water which is relative to our climate..During the winter when a "cold" front moves through will be the toughest fishing condition you'll find.
Mike
senile1 reply :
I'm in Northwest Missouri and the toughest time of the year for me is in the dead of winter. Surface temperatures typically get down to just above freezing when the water isn't hard. If you can find them and wait for a bite window you can catch some, but those windows are short and you have to be out there in the cold to hit one.
The summer transition into fall can be tough at times, but if I stay out long enough I usually figure them out and have a decent day on the water.
Paul Roberts reply :
Yeah, the "dead of winter" may be the toughest for me too. Both "dead" and "bite window" are good descriptors. Can make for a lot of time spent with numbed fingers for nothing at that time. It seems to take some time for the "dead" part to set in though. Early winter, just prior to ice-up can be pretty good; Akin to the ice fisherman's "first ice" I suppose.
gimruis reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 12:13 AM, DogBone_384 said:I might give ice fishing a whirl this winter, just to see if it's worth it.
Don't waste your time unless you wanna catch a cold or a buzz drinkin' beer
I'm in Minnesota. Gonna go ahead and throw out November - April immediately because that's what we call winter and the ice is either forming, present, or melting. Then there's the fact that bass season doesn't legally open until late May. So that gives me June - October to choose from. I'll go with August as my answer. Hot temps, bright sun, low oxygen, and often really slow or deep finesse fishing is required.
Dogfish_Jones reply :
From Alabama, and my worse time comes in the dead of winter, January and most of August when it is screaming hot. Now if you night fish, you will have better luck in the summer but I just can't get the urge to fish at night for bass....crappie, yes!
Mainebass1984 reply :
On 10/16/2016 at 12:13 AM, DogBone_384 said:It's ice over for me Massachusetts. I'm catching bass and trout right now.
I might give ice fishing a whirl this winter, just to see if it's worth it.
Although ice fishing is not for everyone... It can be a blast. Jigging up a large bass on light line with a jig rod is fun. Sitting around drinking beer waiting for flag to go off can be boring. I prefer to actively search for them. They get very concentrated. Once you find them you can catch a lot of fish. I use a vexilar flasher. You can see how the fish react to your bait. To me it is very fun. Landing large bass over 6 lbs on 2 or 4 lb test with an ultra light 2 ft rod is a challenge. Sure beats not fishing for 4 months.
WRB reply :
Any body of water you fish that is subject to tourn overs can be tough for 7 to 10 days or until the water column settles down. Tourn overs happen in SoCal and nearly everywhere bass live that doesn't have flowing current.
Tom
GORDO reply :
Eastern Washington State
For bass, December-February. Once the water unfreezes and you can throw jerkbaits over grass beds and its money but super boring with 45 second pauses.
brgbassmaster reply :
In northern michigan i would say late summer. Because any other time of the year your looking at 20+lb bags most days. later summer i can't buy a bite i swear. But thats why i always go on leave in Fall cuz the bite is insane. In arizona where i currently live definitely middle of the summer when it is 115 every day. Spring fall and winter are awesome in arizona.
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