Al Lindner: October is meant for trophy fish

October is one of those special months. Truth be told, it’s the first “real” month of autumn. For many, the season is filled with activities such as watching high school football, hunting, and numerous other fall-related happenings. But for me, it’s still all about fishing.

People often ask about my favorite time of year to fish. If I could pick only two months, there’s no question they would be June and October.

June is great for a slew of reasons, but mainly because it’s the perfect time of year to catch a lot of fish of different varieties. October, however, is something different. This month is all about trophy hunting. It is, without a doubt, the best time to catch trophies of nearly every species.

When I think back to my best days for big fish, almost all of them have happened during the month of October. In fact, my biggest largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, muskie, and walleye have all been caught during those 31 days.

My goal for this season is to fish every single day of the month of October. As many folks know, I have a soft spot for smallmouth bass, so they’ll be a top target. That being said, I’ll also spend some days fishing for largemouth, some days fishing for walleyes, and maybe even a day or two fishing for muskies or catfish.

Arguably the greatest challenge throughout October is the weather. It can be warm, it can be cold, or it can be anywhere in between. With so much variability, it’s important to be prepared for any scenario.

Anglers today are truly blessed when it comes to outerwear choices. There’s clothing for every condition. And, let me tell you, it’s leaps and bounds ahead of where it was a few decades ago.

A little advice: Spend the extra dollars to buy something on the higher-quality end of the spectrum, because it can pay dividends on those extreme weather days.

MORE FISHING FEATURES FROM OUTDOOR NEWS:

October is prime time for anglers on Michigan’s Big Manistee River

Mike Schoonveld: Beat freezer burn with a smarter approach to storing your fillets

Bob Gwizdz: A reminder that fishing is not rocket science

Speaking of weather, consider wind during October, too. We’re all familiar with how much the wind blows this time of year. It plays a big role in where I fish, how I fish, and what I target. It can wreak havoc on a day of fishing and make launching or loading a boat a real challenge. I generally pay close attention to wind speed and direction this time of year.

Throughout this period, many fish species subscribe to two patterns: shallow or deep. While deep fish are generally more predictable, targeting fish in these situations can have some serious implications.

Barotrauma is a real thing and can do some serious damage to a fishery. As anglers, it’s our responsibility to protect our fisheries and maintain them for future generations.

We all like to catch and keep fish, but this is one of those scenarios in which we need to be cognizant of the depths at which we’re fishing. If you plan to keep fish, take what you need and move on. If you want to fish for fun, then focus on shallower fish.

When it comes to smallmouth bass, October demands a tactical approach. I often favor rocky points, submerged humps, and current breaks where bass stage before moving deeper for winter.

Top baits are jigs tipped with green pumpkin or watermelon craws, finessed slowly along the bottom with subtle hops. On days with wind or overcast skies, I switch to shallow-running crankbaits in natural shad or bluegill patterns, retrieved at a steady, moderate pace to provoke reaction strikes.

Spinnerbaits in white or chartreuse work well in bays and along wind-swept shorelines. Watch the water carefully for baitfish activity or surface disturbances.

October is a great time to be on the water. While many others are focused on fall-related activities, fishing pressure is at a minimum. Plus, this is arguably the best time to track down trophies of nearly every species. Remember to be prepared, pay attention to the weather, and enjoy the last days before waters lock up.