The difference between two days in October 2021

I went out to the neighborhood pond on two consecutive afternoons after work.  It was amazing what happened between these two days.  I must of hit a very crucial 24 hour period between these fishing sessions in the fall transition.

First Day

I noticed that the water was cold. The water clarity was also not that great.  It wasn't completely chocolate milk like it had been a day or two before this day due to the rains, but it was still dingy.  I used several types of baits.  I was using a dropshot with a worm, dropshot with tiny fluke, spinnerbait, tiny swimbait....you name it I probably tried to find a pattern with it. LoL!  

It wasn't until almost the end of the fishing session that I was able to get bit on my little black and blue Strike King Bitsy Bug Mini Jig with a Zoom Speed Craw trailer. It this was the only fish I was able to catch that day. So, fishing conditions were fairly tough on this day. I looked at the experience as positive though...at least I was able to catch a fish. And just maybe, this is a pattern that I could exploit the next time.

Second Day

The second day was a wonderful experience. I was able to exploit that same pattern with the mini jig and craw trailer. I caught two nice bass at the far end of the pond. Some things I noticed about the pond were:

• Water clarity was very clear, 2-3 feet of visibility
• Water was still cold, definitely fall now
• Grasses and Algae dying off on the banks almost completely
• Wind moving towards the back of the pond were I caught both bass

I think that last bullet point was key in this fishing session. The way the current of the water reacts with the type of mini jig I was using...and the "floating action" the craw trailer provides I think presented to the fish really well. It almost looked like the bait was hopping and floating just over the bottom like a real crayfish might do. And, I got bit twice by some really nice bass!

In summary, it is amazing just how the pond conditions can change within a 24 hour period during the fall transition. Water clarity is key to the success of several baits that I use. The water temperature is continuing to drop.  I am seeing less baitfish on the banks. I am still catching fish on the bank, but I am noticing I am catching fish also at a deeper depth off the bank. Tight lines to you!