Kayak fishing has exploded in popularity, and with it comes a surge in catch-photo-release (CPR) tournaments. These events are a fantastic way to test your skills, enjoy the sport, and minimize the impact on fish populations. But how do you ensure your catches are measured and photographed correctly for a successful tournament entry?

The Ketch Measuring Board: A Kayak Angler’s Best Friend

The Ketch Measuring Board is a game-changer for kayak anglers. Designed specifically for on-water use, it’s precise, durable, and incredibly easy to use. It’s also universally accepted in catch, photo, release tournaments thanks to its reliability for accurate measurements. Here’s how to utilize it effectively:

1. Preparation is Key:
   • Have a plan to orient the Board: Be prepared with how you plan to hold the board and the fish in your kayak or on your lap. Some use a net to the side to help prevent a bass from jumping back into the water.
   • Wet the Board: A slightly damp board helps the fish slide easily, and cools it off on a hot day, preventing any unnecessary stress.
2. Measuring with Precision:
   • Align the Fish: Carefully place the fish on the measuring board, nose to the left and all the way to the board bump, with mouth closed.
   • Orient the body and board: Make sure the fish is laying flat, the tail is not off the board, and that the mouth, eye, tail and tournament identifier are all visible.
   • Take the Measurement: The length of the fish is where it’s tail meets the line measurements down the board. Ensure all is visible, take the photo and submit via your tournament app.
   • Double-Check: Always double-check your measurement to avoid any disqualifications. Watch for blurry photos, parts of the fish or board not visible, or other factors that may get your submission disqualified.
3. Additional photo tips:
   • Safe Handling: Hold the fish securely but gently. Avoid squeezing or compressing its body. (some of you who do know who you are!)
   • Background Matters: Choose a neutral background that doesn’t distract from the fish. Most measuring boards are good for contrast in photos.
   • Clear Identification: Ensure the measuring board is clearly visible in the photo, including the length measurement. The identifier is as important as the fish!
4. Release Responsibly:
   • Revive the Fish: Gently submerge the fish in the water and support it until it regains its strength.
   • Observe Recovery: Watch the fish swim away before moving on to your next cast.

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Tips for Tournament Success:

• Practice on the water: Get comfortable using your measuring board and practicing your photo-taking technique. Practice, practice, practice.
• Know the Rules: Familiarize yourself with all the tournament rules and regulations regarding catch submission. This is a part of the deal, learn and follow the rules!
• Safety First: Always prioritize your safety and the safety of the fish. Be efficient, kind, and get it back in the water asap!
• Respect the Environment: Leave no trace and minimize your impact on the fishing environment.

Beyond the Tournament:

Even if you’re not competing, accurate measurement and proper handling are crucial for responsible catch-and-release fishing. By following these guidelines, you can ensure the health and longevity of fish populations while enjoying the thrill of kayak fishing.

Remember: Catch-photo-release tournaments are a fantastic way to connect with fellow anglers, test your skills, and contribute to the conservation of our fisheries. By following these tips, you can ensure fair competition and enjoy the sport responsibly. Measuring and submitting the photo correctly are integral parts of the sport!

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only. Always refer to the specific rules and regulations of the tournament you are participating in.

I hope this article helps you master catch, photo, and release for your next kayak fishing tournament!

As the leaves begin to change and temperatures drop, bass behavior shifts, making fall one of the best times to fish with spinnerbaits. Spinnerbaits are versatile and effective for covering water quickly, triggering reaction strikes, and targeting bass feeding up before the winter. This article explores why spinnerbaits shine in fall and how to optimize your fishing strategy to land more bass during this season.

Why Spinnerbaits Work in the Fall

In the fall, bass are often chasing shad and other baitfish as they prepare for winter. Spinnerbaits, with their flash and vibration, perfectly mimic these baitfish. The combination of blades and skirts creates an appealing profile that bass find hard to resist. Spinnerbaits also excel in various conditions, including windy days, stained water, and around structure like wood or grass.

Wind is your friend when fishing a spinnerbait in the fall. It breaks up the surface of the water, making it harder for bass to get a good look at the lure. This encourages reaction strikes. When fishing on a windy day, focus on points, shallow flats, and areas where the wind pushes baitfish into corners.

Choosing the Right Spinnerbait for Fall

1. Blade Type
   In fall, the choice of blade can make all the difference. For clearer water and faster retrieves, opt for willow blades. These blades provide a lot of flash and less drag, allowing the lure to mimic fast-moving baitfish. Colorado blades are better suited for murky water or slower retrieves due to their added vibration, making them ideal for fishing in low-visibility conditions. Look for some War Eagle or Booyah spinnerbaits at Lurenet.com!
2. Size and Color
   The size of your spinnerbait should match the forage in your lake. In the fall, bass are often chasing larger baitfish like shad. Opt for spinnerbaits in the 1/2 to 3/4-ounce range, and stick to natural colors like white, chartreuse, and shad patterns for most conditions. If you’re fishing in stained water, consider brighter colors like chartreuse and orange.
3. Trailer Options
   Adding a soft plastic trailer to your spinnerbait can enhance its action and profile. In cooler water, a trailer with minimal action, like a swimbait or a straight-tail trailer, is often more effective. These trailers help slow down the lure and give it a more realistic baitfish appearance.

Key Techniques for Fall Spinnerbait Success

1. Slow Rolling
   One of the most effective fall spinnerbait techniques is slow-rolling. This involves reeling in the spinnerbait just fast enough to keep the blades turning, allowing it to maintain contact with the bottom or structure like submerged timber and grass. This technique is ideal for cold, clear water and for targeting lethargic bass.
2. Burning the Spinnerbait
   In contrast to slow rolling, burning a spinnerbait means reeling it in as fast as possible. This can trigger aggressive reaction strikes from bass feeding up for winter. Burning is most effective on windy days or when fish are actively chasing baitfish.
3. Bumping into Cover
   To increase your chances of a strike, try bumping your spinnerbait into cover like rocks, stumps, or logs. This erratic movement mimics a fleeing baitfish and often triggers an instinctual strike from nearby bass. Be sure to use a spinnerbait with a strong wire to withstand these collisions.

Final Thoughts

Fall spinnerbait fishing is all about adapting to changing conditions. Whether you’re slow-rolling along a grass line or burning the bait across windy flats, spinnerbaits offer a versatile and effective way to target bass in the fall. Pay attention to blade selection, color, and retrieval speed to optimize your chances for success.

Get out on the water this fall and take advantage of the bass’s aggressive feeding behavior. With the right spinnerbait and technique, you’re sure to catch more fish!

As summer transitions into fall, bass fishing enters a prime season. The cooler temperatures and shorter days trigger significant changes in bass behavior, making early fall one of the best times to catch big bass. Knowing how to adjust your tactics and selecting the right early fall bass fishing baits will greatly increase your success.

In this guide, we’ll dive into the best fall bass fishing tips, focusing on understanding the seasonal behavior of bass and the top baits to use in September and October.

Understanding Bass Behavior in Early Fall

Early fall is a transitional period for bass. As water temperatures drop, bass move from their deeper summer habitats to shallower areas, driven by the need to feed heavily before the winter months. Baitfish, such as shad, also move into shallower waters, giving bass a prime opportunity to gorge themselves.

Key Behavioral Changes in Early Fall:

• Increased activity: As the water cools, bass become more active, especially during early mornings and late evenings.
• Chasing baitfish: Bass begin to follow baitfish into shallow coves and points, making these areas hotspots for anglers.
• Feeding aggressively: Early fall bass tend to feed heavily, particularly under overcast conditions or when there’s wind, which disrupts the water’s surface and makes them feel more secure.

To capitalize on these conditions, choosing the right early fall bass fishing lures is crucial.

Best Baits for Early Fall Bass Fishing

1. Crankbaits

Crankbaits are ideal for covering water and mimicking the movement of baitfish in early fall.

• Squarebill crankbaits: Perfect for shallow water and around cover, especially where bass are ambushing bait in creek channels or around submerged grass.
• Lipless crankbaits: Excellent for targeting schooling bass in open water or near weed edges. Their fast, erratic action triggers strikes from bass chasing shad.

2. Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits excel at imitating schools of baitfish, especially during early fall when bass are feeding aggressively.

• Willow leaf spinnerbaits are ideal for clear water, where the flash mimics shad.
• Colorado blade spinnerbaits produce strong vibrations, making them effective in murkier waters or during low-light conditions.

3. Topwater Lures

Topwater baits offer exciting action in early fall, especially during overcast mornings and evenings.

• Poppers: Great for calm conditions when bass are patrolling the shallows.
• Buzzbaits: Excellent for covering water quickly when fish are feeding near the surface.
• Walking baits: Ideal for imitating fleeing baitfish when bass are schooling.

4. Jigs

Jigs are versatile and effective year-round but particularly useful in early fall when bass are feeding in transition areas.

• Football jigs: Perfect for dragging along rocky points or deeper structure.
• Flipping jigs: Ideal for targeting shallow cover like docks, fallen trees, and brush piles.

5. Swimbaits

Soft plastic swimbaits are great for mimicking the profile and movement of shad, which bass are chasing during early fall.

• Paddle-tail swimbaits fished near the surface or along weed edges can be deadly, especially when bass are targeting baitfish schools.

Key Locations for Early Fall Bass Fishing

Knowing where to fish is just as important as choosing the right lures. During early fall, focus on the following areas:

• Shallow coves and creek channels: Baitfish are abundant here, and bass follow. Use crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and swimbaits to work these areas.
• Points and secondary points: Bass use these areas as transition zones. Jigs and crankbaits work particularly well here.
• Weed lines and submerged grass: Bass will hide in the grass to ambush baitfish. Lipless crankbaits and spinnerbaits fished along the edges are highly effective.
• Riprap and rocky shorelines: These areas warm quickly and attract both baitfish and bass. Crankbaits and jigs are perfect for working these rocky zones.

Final Tips for Early Fall Bass Fishing

1. Follow the bait: Bass in early fall are highly dependent on baitfish movements. Keep an eye on schools of shad to locate feeding bass.
2. Adapt to the weather: Overcast and windy days tend to encourage bass to feed more aggressively, making them easier to catch in open water. Sunny days might push bass into cover, requiring a more precise approach.
3. Stay versatile: Conditions can change quickly in early fall, so be ready to switch from topwater lures in the morning to crankbaits or jigs as the day progresses.

Conclusion

Early fall offers one of the best opportunities for bass anglers to catch fish as bass feed heavily before winter. By understanding seasonal bass behavior and using the right baits—such as crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, jigs, and swimbaits—you can increase your chances of success. Whether you’re fishing shallow coves, working weed lines, or targeting rocky points, early fall bass fishing is all about staying adaptable and following the bait.

Try these tips on your next outing, and you’ll be sure to enjoy a successful fall fishing season!