Cooler nights in the Detroit Lakes area finally has the water temp starting to come down a little. This past week I’ve found the most active crappies are still relating to the edges of the cabbage weeds. We’ve been finding the most active fish on the outside edges of the cabbage weeds in 13-16 fow.
I’ve been having my best luck using 5/8oz tikka minnows right on the hard/soft bottom transitions right in the edge of the weedline. If you are catching any weeds, you need to move out until you hit that very edge of the weedline. You should be able to feel the bottom get more firm when your jigging lure hits the bottom. Some fisherman are starting to pick up fish after dark by pulling crank baits over Sandy flats.
Bass fishing in the area has saved my day more than once lately. Largemouth and Smallies have both been very cooperative. Focus on bulrushes if you are looking for the largemouth. They’ve been very aggressive and seem to want to devour anything thrown their way. Smallies have been a little less aggressive and seem to like a more subtle presentation of a drop shot or Neko rig but I’m finding them in the same areas as the largemouth.
Fall is coming to lakes country and we are only a few short weeks to some of the best fishing of the season!
Tony Mariotti