Fall Fishing Tips: The Fall Run

Next to winter, spring, and summer, fall is my favorite time to be on the water. Truth of the matter is that I'll fish anywhere, any time, but if I had to pick my favorite it would be hands-down, fall fishing.

Gulf Stream Fishing

It's the time of year when the Gulf Stream pushes so close that it brings in pelagic fish species that we don't normally see. Bonito, False albacore, Skipjack tuna, mahi-mahi, and others come inshore where they are easy to access. No long off-shore rides are necessary, a skiff is enough, and fall fishing can easily be done from shore.

Fish Fall at Your Feet

Peanut bunker arrive in full force, and that makes the bluefish hungry. They're getting ready for their migration, so they're eating non-stop. They're aggressive and whack just about any popper, plug, soft or live bait, and nearly everything else that flies in front of their faces. The east wind on a beach that faces east puts them at my feet, and more time is spent catching than casting.

Bass Fishing in the Fall

But the king is the striped bass. They're schooling up for their migration home to the Chesapeake. They'll stage on a quarter moons and move on the big moons. Time your fall bass fishing so you hit coves on the quarters and points on the full and new moons. Some of the biggest fish of the season are caught during the fall run, and it's exciting to catch lots of small fish and have a shot at a prize.

These fall fishing tips should help you catch your limit. In eight short weeks the fish will all be gone. Things get quiet for a while under the snow flies and the ponds ice over. But during the fall run everything is cranking and there are lots of different fish to catch. We go hard before we go home!