Cooler Water Temp.; What Happens ?

[Robert11]

Hi,

Live outside of Boston, Mass., and do most of my fishing now in a local pond.
Mainly Crappies, and some smallmouth and largemouth Bass.
Fish from the shore.

Has gotten "a bit" chilly up here, but certainly not winter (yet).

I imagine the water temp is a bit cooler, but certainly not "cold".

Anyway, Pond has always been extremely productive, even in the very hot summer months.

But for the last week or two, absolutely nothing.
Maybe one, probably mis-guided, Crappie in the last two weeks. That's about it.
(most productive lure has always been the small Mepps Aglia Spinners)

So, it's a sport, and not a science, but was curious, so thought I'd ask all you experts.

What happens when the water get "a bit" cooler" ?

Do they all start hibernating already, or... ?

Interested in a different type of bait, or presentation, perhaps ?

Thoughts ?

Regards,
Bob

[M R Dux]

I don't know of any fish hibernating. Their metabolism slows way down and they feed much less but they are still somewhat active.

Slow down your presentation and go to a curly-tail type body on a 1/16 to 1/8 jig head a fish it SSSSSLLLLLOOOOWWWWW!!! The Mepps requires a faster retrieve to keep the blade turning.

[CrappiePappy]

Normally, Robert ... they start feeding up for the Winter & the following Spring spawn. If there are any baitfish species in the pond, look for schools dimpling the surface and fish under & around them.

It could also be bad timing, what with all the fronts moving through every few days.

... cp

[vic n]

Do ponds turn over the way lakes do? I don't know the timing, or the trigger for turnover, other than surface temps drop to a point where the surface water gets heavier than the lower water causing "turnover". That is traditionally a poor fishing time.

[rnvinc]

Try your favorite "fry-looking" artificial under a bobber to keep the bait up in the water column longer at slower retrieval rates...

Rickie

[gone fission]

Yup, turnover time gettin close

[Robert11]

Hi,

Hate to appear dumber than I am, but I guess that's the only way to learn.

So, what is a: "fry-looking" artificial" ? Examples ?

Thanks for All the help,
Bob

[wannabe fisherman]

Hi,

Hate to appear dumber than I am, but I guess that's the only way to learn.

So, what is a: "fry-looking" artificial" ? Examples ?

Thanks for All the help,
Bob

about anything that looks like a baby fish could be perch bass crappie you want to simulate the "fry" or babies of the fish in the area.

[bee]

Goggle Bobby Garland.