As the leaves start to change so too will the Gills.

[Jeffrey D. Abney]

 

 I slow things down in the fall and obviously look deeper around structure adjacent to the bedding areas. Sharp contrast to a late Spring pattern or early Summer where the goal is to cover as much water as possible in those potential bedding locations. In the brackish waters in Carolina I will look for 4 to 8 feet of water and work those areas with a very slow presentation often sitting in areas for several minutes. A look back at this photo reminds me that the bass also become more active with the cooling water temperatures and look at there, Mr. Crappie and the Yellow Perch are catchable as well.  The changing weather is a relief to the fishermen who have endured the record heat of 2011...

 Nice Fall largemouth are picked up in the same areas the gills are populating. Its always popular to get the kinks out of your light tackle!

 Many of these fish were actually caught trolling deeper in a very productive creek in the Spring and Summer. So as the Ice Fisherman up North start looking ahead with excitement there is still time to find some nice gills in the South before the cold arrives. So keep your lines tight and remember Football is not the only thing happening in the Fall!