Enjoying Fall’s Twilight Bite
It was near sunset by my watch, though that glowing orb appeared still a good distance above the skyline. The temperature, however, was plunging faster than my optimism. Hoping for an afternoon bite, I had been cruising my favorite spots at a river’s mouth, throwing first a surface plug then a soft jig. With no success at finding keepers, I was now chasing days-old rumors.
The news that a friend had done well in a nearby location well off the shoreline drew me first to one area, then another. At each stop I discovered lots of water, no sign of fish. Resorting to my GPS, I noted a marked location not far off that had no information linked.
It could have been a mistake or a past bite that kept me too busy to identify. Hoping for the latter, I slowed my skiff and watched. No birds, no wind, no marks, no hope. I waited as the sky darkened.
Those closing moments of the day can be the very best time as hungry rockfish can then locate baitfish schools that have become extra visible as they close up in the dying light. Scanning the horizon for signs of birds, my major hope, I almost didn’t notice a slight bulge on the placid Bay surface some distance away.
Refocusing, I soon saw another bulge, then the slight trail of a baitfish fleeing just under the surface. Putting my skiff gently into gear, I edged toward the action.
Choosing an old reliable, three-quarter-ounce, Stillwater Smack-It popper, I sent it sailing out 20 feet short of the disturbed water. Other feeders, just under the surface, are often a good distance away from the more enthusiastic members of the school — and sometimes much larger. It’s a good idea to work in to the visible action gradually, especially if you have the time.
Resisting the urge to strike at the explosion that erupted beneath my bait as it landed, I waited to feel the surge of a good fish. Nothing happened. I waited a 10-count, then twitched the gold plug just a little. Zip. I then swam the lure rapidly back to the boat.
Irritated, I lifted the popper to prepare anther cast only to note a broad, striped, silver flank boiling hard as it flushed away from the side of the skiff and the lure it had been following closely. Arrghhh!
When you’ve retrieved your lure almost all the way back, it’s a good idea to swim it with your rod tip rapidly back and forth a time or two before you lift it out. That’s in case you’ve had an unseen fish following, as that last little effort can sometimes generate a violent strike. Once again, too late smart for me.
Regaining my breath, I thumbed my reel hard and sent the plug rocketing back toward the most recent signs of fish. It took a half-dozen chugs for the explosion this time, but my controlled wait for fish pressure was rewarded. I cinched it up, and an obviously husky fish put the line over its shoulder, ignored my drag and headed off, heaving up water in its wake.
The twilight bite in November is one of the best times to fish in autumn. There will already be ample information on wind strength and water conditions, and the temperatures will be at their mildest of the day.
Topwater action will be the most enjoyable, especially under birds, but be ready to work subsurface if that’s where the fish are. Lots of seabirds sitting on the water can clue you to fish below. Soft plastics such as Bass Assassins and BKDs (Bass Kandy Delights) are excellent choices, as are the more popular metal jigs when the fish are even deeper. Kastmasters, Hopkins, Stingsilvers and Coltsnipers can really get some action. The biggest fish are usually the deepest fish.