By Ronnie Parris
Hey folks, hope all are doing well. This is the time of year we have all been waiting for. The roll-over is already behind us, and the fish are fattening up for the winter. The droves of pleasure boaters are done for the year, and it’s time for the fishermen to get out an enjoy some of the best fishing of the year. Temps are great, and the water is cooling, so the fish are definitely going to be eating.
A lot of people like to make fishing harder than it needs to be by targeting a certain type of fish or fishing a certain technique, but I like to go with whatever is biting best and whatever technique is working best. To me it’s more about enjoying the day an at the end of the day I don’t need to pat myself on the back for doing it a harder way than need be.
One of, if not the best ways to catch a good mess of fish this time of year is fishing live minnows. I grew up using this technique and I love it. I like a simple number 6 hook and a split shot rig on the lightest rod and reel combo I can get. Nothing like hooking a 3-pound spotted bass on light line and light tackle. If this don’t get your heart pumping fast you either need to go get checked out at the hospital or just sell your tackle and take up golf.
My biggest problem this time of year is I like hunting as much as I like fishing, and I’m always being pulled back and forth between the two. Here in the Smokies, we have several mountain lakes from Fontana, Bear and Wolf to Glenville, Hiwassee and many more, as well as Santeetlah, which is the one pictured with this article with my good friend John Singer. We about always have to make a Santeetlah run, when he comes in, to enjoy some great fall fishing and some beautiful leaf colors around the Joyce Kilmer area.
If you’re planning a trip up this way this time of year, remember and dress in layers as the mornings will be cold, but we generally warm up fast and it’s better to be able to take clothes off than to sit cold for 2 hours in the morning. Be sure to check local regulations as some lakes such as Santeetlah have a little different creek limits. This is a great time year to take kids as they will have fast action on the temperature is accommodating.
So, now’s the time get out there and enjoy what God has blessed us with—and as always, take a kid fishing.