Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 14
Adjusting to
Fall Transitions
in Rivers
by Jeff Knapp
photos by the author
Smallmouth Bass may have more in common with Walleyes
in terms of habitat usage than Largemouth Bass. In waters
where Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes both exist, you will
often find these fish in the same basic areas, responding to
similar presentations. This is especially true in free-flowing
rivers, where fish will be on the move, requiring you to do
the same to continue having successful catches.
Throughout the summer and into the early fall,
typically early to mid-October, both Smallmouth Bass
and Walleyes are located close to current areas including
pocket water. Fish are tucked tight to the shore, the heads
of pools, the tail-outs of large pools, shallow flats that
feature boulders, wood, rock ledges, and submergent
vegetation. Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes use such places,
because that is where the food is located-shiners, chubs,
crayfish, and insects.
14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * September/October 2020
In response to a need to not expend more energy
than the intake of food, as fall progresses and water
temperatures drop into the low 60s and continue
downward, the attractiveness of current areas begins
to diminish. Both Smallmouth Bass and Walleyes shift
locations to those with milder current, ones commonly
associated with the deeper pools of the river. The edges
of holes are often productive, particularly irregularly
shaped ones well-seasoned with boulders. Tailout sections
of pools can remain good in the early fall, though the
"sweet spot" will often hedge toward the deeper portion,
where there is less current. Pools located below currentdeflecting rock/gravel bars and islands have the potential
to hold bass and Walleyes.
Naturally, the fish-holding potential of any fall spot
varies with the physical characteristics found at that
location. Some areas look great but do not seem to
collect fish. Others, which visually appear less appealing,
can be magnets. Only by fishing such spots during the
course of the fall can one learn how Smallmouth Bass
and Walleyes use these spots. Also, the fall transition is
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020
Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover1
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover2
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Contents
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 4
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 5
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 6
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 7
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 8
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 9
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 11
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 12
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 13
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 14
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 15
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 16
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 17
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - 18
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover3
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - September/October 2020 - Cover4
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