Transition Period

Fall is a transition period and as autumn leaves change colours, many anglers switch almost exclusively to trolling for muskies from late September to ice-up. Yet the fall still holds plenty of casting opportunities and it’s the season for trophy fish. Casting in fall conditions is tough going; the trick is using effective baits for the cold water conditions. Here’s an overview of some top fall casting baits. Jerkbaits are good all year round especially when water temps dip down, the ability to still move a bait quickly and erratically yet the bait doesn’t cover a lot of distance still allowing a cold blooded fish the opportunity to chase it down with little effort. Glide baits are another bait that shines in the fall. Short pulls on the line with a little slack in between each pull make the bait swing side to side like a lethargic dying fish producing violent strikes. Finally, plastics should be at the top of your list for fall musky. The beauty of using heavily Weighted plastics is you can sing them down off of ledges right to the bottom if need be to entice those hard to reach fish to commit to a bait. They can be straight retrieved or jerked and swept upon return also. So when fall hits know you don’t have to stop casting, just adjust your presentation and bait selection and you can still put plenty of fall butterball musky in the boat.