08/16/2000
- Article
Turnover
Blues
by Rick Olson
Understanding
the dreaded fall turnover, and knowing how to deal with it,
can spell the difference
between success
and an empty livewell.
Walleyes are directly effected by this naturally occurring,
seasonal phenomenon, and can make for some of the toughest fishing
conditions you’ll face during the entire open water season.
As
water temps reach their summer high, a layering process occurs,
with the end result being an upper warmer layer, and a lower
cooler layer, separated
by a quickly changing narrow band, known as the thermocline.
This deeper, cooler, bottom layer, can quickly become totally
void of oxygen, and will eliminate any use.
Trying to pull fish from dead water can be a complete
waste of time. If
you know a thermocline exists, you would be well served to
concentrate your efforts, at the thermocline, and shallower.
The exception would be an extremely clear lake, where you
have a thermocline, and a separate, deeper, oxycline Finding out
whether or not a particular lake has a thermocline set up, is a
relatively easy task. With
a good liquid crystal graph, you can actually see the
narrow band that indicates the layer separation.
The Raytheon L750 Fishfinder, is a high definition liquid
crystal graph, with the ability to mark the temperature change. Fish finders display density of objects, as well as changes
in density, which makes
up a thermocline. The
upper warmer layer, is less dense than the cooler bottom layer.
It’s this change in density that will show up on a
electronic graph, and
it looks like a constant, narrow
band.
Some
lakes are so shallow and windswept that they may never thermocline, like Mille Lacs Lake in Central Minnesota,
for example. The
big lake circulates every time you get a decent wind, and the
temperature remains relatively consistent from top to bottom,
throughout the entire season. Periods of flat dead calm conditions, combined with the
heat of summer, push surface temps into the range of bathwater.
But
that’s as far as it goes, and will last until the next good wind
mixes everything up.
When happens then?
Do the fish experience the same negative effects that
the fall turnover brings?
Absolutely not!
It’s
not just the fact that a lake will turnover,
that causes tough fishing conditions, but more likely due to
the rapidly dropping water temperatures.
The body temperature of a fish is subject to it’s
environment, and rapid changes in water temp can shut fish down, and
it may take some time for their body to adjust. The
turnover usually coincides with the first hard frost of fall, but
not always. Some years, the change is so gradual that it becomes
difficult to pin down. One
of the indicators to look for, is water temperature. When
the surface temperature drops into the lower sixties and upper
fifties, you can figure you’re in the turnover zone. Walleye
activity can range from
bad to good, depending on how severe, and how quickly water temps
cool off. A gradual
slide can make for better fishing.
In that case, you can probably continue using presentations
that have been effective, like trolling crankbaits and spinners.
Late summer and early fall can be one of the best times to
work the shallow rocks with
Shad Raps. The Shad Rap is the most effective crankbait for working
shallow structure there is. By
design, the bait has a perfect fish attracting wiggle, and is
available in some great fall colors, like fire tiger and crawfish.
Spinners
can remain effective
until the temps dip below sixty degrees.
Spinners, trolled
over sparse weed flats, along deep weedlines, and along any
potential fish holding structure, can be extremely productive.
While spinners are usually associated with a harness and
crawler setup, don’t overlook a spinner and minnow combo.
A spinner, with a single long shank hook, is the way to go.
The long shank can be run through the mouth of the minnow,
out the gill, and slid into the tail, along side the anal vent.
This technique will help keep the bait alive, and fresher,
much longer than other methods.
If
the daytime bite proves to be too tough, or nonexistent,
you may have to concentrate your efforts after dark.
Spinners trolled over the tops of green weeds, can be
surprisingly productive. Besides
the top and the deep edge, anglers on a night run should not
overlook the inside edge.
Walleyes will often move into extremely shallow water,
especially at this time of the year. A spinner weighted down with nothing more than a split shot,
may be just the ticket for inside ‘eyes.
Another
top technique, for fishing after dark, is trolling a shallow
running, minnow shaped crankbait, like the Rapala, over rock bars,
reefs, and shorelines.
The Rapala has proven to be a top producer, especially during
the late open water season. The
key is to keep a bait close to the rocks, without constantly
dragging the bottom. Tie
on a number thirteen Rapala, with a split shot or two, crimped two
or three feet ahead of the bait, and get going.
Much
of the late summer and early fall action can occur after dark, and
even when things get tough, like during the fall turnover, there
still might be a few walleyes that will surrender,
for anglers willing to give up a little sleep.
Another option, would be avoiding the negative effects of the
turnover by trying to find a lake that hasn’t turned yet, or one
that already has, and had a week or two to settle down. The first
ones to go are the shallow lakes, as they have less mass, and cool
quicker than the deeper varieties.
There may be as much as two weeks difference, or more, as to
when it all begins, and ends.
The
final option is to not go at all, but what fun is that?
Fishing is fun,
even when it’s tough. Dealing
with the fall turnover can prove to be a real challenge, and
overcoming tough conditions can be extremely rewarding.
Rick
Olson
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