The Second Season

By Monty McGuffin

 

  For the past few months, those of us who have a passion for fishing on Lakes Hartwell, Keowee and Jocassee, most have become nocturnal anglers. During daylight hours these waters become a playground to those that love to swim, ski, sail, go boating and riding jet skies. Fisherman like catching fish and practically all prefer a degree of solitude, calm waters and somewhat cooler temperatures.

 

  September is the month of change. Kids are back in school, “Labor Day” has passed, “Death Valley” is packed with roaring Tiger fans. Deer hunters are preparing for the upcoming season. Change is in the air, you can feel it, smell it and see it. The coolness of the morning, the smell of muskydines  ripened on the vine, seeing the swirl of an early morning fog hovering on the waters surface, signs that let local anglers know, once again the lakes belong to  them, it’s time for “The Second Season”.

 

  “The Second Season” for fisherman is somewhat of a mirror image of the first season, fishing the spring or fishing during spawning, considered by most as the best fishing time of the year. In the spring the water begins to warm, fish move shallow in preparation for spawning. In the fall the water begins to cool, fish move shallow feeding heavily preparing for winter. The common denominator both seasons share is “shallow water”.

 

  As the waters cool baitfish begin a migration, moving up stream into practically any and every tributary of area lakes.  As the baitfish move into the shallows, larger fish move in to take advantage of the abundance and an easy meal. Anglers pursue the schools of shallow baitfish hoping to find large concentrations of hungry fish. A large school of baitfish is usually easy to find. When in shallow water ten foot or less, a school will appear as a dark spot on or near the surface sometimes creating ripples on the water while they feed. If you find a school of fish feeding on baitfish, you have found a honey hole. The water will be alive as the surface is churned and you can see the baitfish jumping and fleeing from the bigger fish. Depending on the water’s temperature practically every species of fish will eventually be found in the shallow areas of tributaries chasing baitfish.

 

  Bass fisherman will use a variety of lures while fishing these shallow waters. Spinnerbaits, small lipless crankbaits, floating worms and topwater lures will be the popular choices chosen to fill the live well with bass. Cast, crank fast and cover a lot of water where baitfish are located and you will catch fish.

 

  Crappie fisherman will be using small jigs and minnows fishing around these same areas and on occasion will catch some really big slabs nearing the two pound class. Here again cover lots of water, however, slow down, concentrating on available shallow cover.

 

  On Hartwell when the water temperature gets into the fifties, anglers will encounter stripers and hybrids in these exact same shallow water areas. Free lining live herring or casting topwater lures, shad spins and crankbaits will be the ticket for catching some quality linesides.

 

  Whether you are fishing for catfish, crappie, bass, stripers or hybrids, “The Second Season” is at hand. Take my advice, grab a jacket, at first light head up your favorite creek, watch the surface of the water, when you find the bait, start fishing. Be thankful for continuing education, college football, hunting season, cold weather and anything else that diverts the masses from the water, the lakes are ours again..

September 18, 2009   Posted in: Articles

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