Summer tournaments have their pitfalls. The fish are often on a feeding schedule and can be tough to catch. The big fish typically pull a disappearing act. Suspended and schooling fish can be maddening in roaming behavior. And caring for your catch to avoid penalty can be difficult. That's why so many anglers across the country celebrate when the relief valve finally opens sometime in September or October, and the fish begin to transition to their early fall patterns.
That transition's fairly easy to track on a local lake. But what if you're headed to unfamiliar waters, perhaps for an end-of-year fishoff, or hard-earned vacation?
Bassmaster Classic and FLW Tour Championship winner Luke Clausen – aka Cool Hand Luke – recommends a sound starting point. Begin by calling out bluffs. Read More
