Late summer/early fall fishing means a lot
of things for a lot of people. For everyone, it’s the end
of summer. For fishermen and women, no matter what their
target species, it means changing patterns in their fishing
if they wish to remain effective... leading the way to a
period of consistent transition into the winter months.
For many it also means "soup". Not Chicken Noodle or Extra
Chunky Beef either. No, this is the Pea Soup variety. The
kind that allows you to draw in the water with your rod
tip, and that will give away the exact path of retrieves,
and that will crawl up fishing lines to revolving spools,
leaving "green racing stripes" on white fishing shirts.
It’s called algae bloom. Algae are essentially
aquatic organisms, growing in all of our natural bodies
of water from the smallest to the largest. Collectively
known as phytoplankton, they are photosynthetic plants that
live and die. While living, they produce oxygen and when
they die the bacterial process robs oxygen from the water.
Algae are present in all waters, but certainly in varying
degrees. While in many waters algae are barely noticeable,
heavy algae blooms are impossible to ignore on others. Pollution
makes for more algae as well.
On most waters, bloom starts becoming noticeable
in mid-summer when water temps reach their highest levels.
Its effects seem most noticeable during the late summer/early
fall period when the stuff peaks, then dies and starts to
build up on the surface. Considering its propensity for
hanging on the surface after death, its location is even
more directly affected by wind and wave action than ever.
Prolonged periods of wind will cause it
to build-up on the windward side of lakes and reservoirs,
especially in bays and neck-down areas. When this occurs,
build-up can be substantial, creating the "pea soup" effect.
If the waters suddenly go calm, the stuff can be several
inches thick and would appear to the "first-time" boater/shoreline
walker to be impenetrable (but don’t get out and walk on
it).
Of course, algae is a factor in fishing
whenever present, and especially where it is heavy. Is it
a good thing or a bad thing? It's both, actually. Muskie
guide and Esox Angler Magazine contributor, Bruce Shumway
says he likes the green stuff, while Dick Pearson, also
an Esox Angler contributor and the master of many Ontario
muskie waters -- says he runs from it. So that should tell
us that it can provide advantages and disadvantages at times.
It all depends on the scenario. I haven't all the answers
to why, but years of dealing with algae bloom on the water
has certainly taught me what to expect from algae in certain
scenarios. And what types of tactics work best in dealing
with it. Let's take a look at algae bloom and muskie fishing.
As a good general rule, algae bloom is not
much of a factor on deep, clear waters, but is often a big
factor on more stained fertile lakes and reservoirs. Naturally,
when pollutants are added to the equation in the case of
fertile waters, algae bloom becomes substantial. In the
case of clearer waters with little algae bloom, the effects
of algae on fishing is nothing but good, helping to diffuse
sunlight penetration - making fish a little less wary and
easier to fool.
This is also true of the more fertile waters
with substantial bloom, especially when algae is in the
initial stages, since it's producing oxygen as well. But,
what happens later in the season when the bloom peaks, and
dead algae builds up on the surface, lowering oxygen levels.
Basically, this is the time to avoid heavy bloom areas if
possible. Wave action plays a big part in this equation
as well.
Bloom Fishing Basics
Learn to play the "bloom game" then, following these basics.
When algae is healthy and scattered it is best to actually
seek it out, especially when wind has been pushing it in
the same direction for several days. Wave action and algae
can make for great fishing conditions. Extended wave action
in the same area normally promotes a good feeding situation
for muskies in itself, concentrating the food source. Add
in scattered algae with the waves, further breaking up sunlight
penetration and active predators may become a little more
susceptible. And these conditions also usually mean the
food source is shallow. Don’t just consider "edge fishing"
in this scenario. Check out the shallow flats on prime structures
and right up to the shore if this is the case. Muskie can
often be found in as little as two feet of water (or even
less). Many times people aren’t finding the fish simply
because they aren’t going shallow enough.
Heavy bloom can even be effectively fished,
but usually there is a limit and especially when it starts
to stack-up on the surface (more later). Usually, a heavier,
"healthy" bloom will provide very good fishing under sunny
conditions. Keep this in mind if there are several waters
available in the area if you are mobile. You will likely
be much better off on a stained water system with a bloom
under clear, midday conditions than on a clear-water system.
Keep in mind also, that on all systems,
usually by the time the bloom is in its peak/die-off period,
it is late summer/early fall. This late summer season consistently
shows shallower movement and feeding by most predators,
and certainly muskie are included. They also seem to suspend
higher when feeding in deeper ranges as well. Open water
fish may be as little as ten feet down or just under the
surface. More than any other time period and scenario, "bloom
time" is the most common time for muskies to actually give
away their locale and the fact that they are feeding by
blowing water around when attacking... keep your eyes open.
Then again, when a guy who’s caught as many
muskies as Dick Pearson says he doesn’t like the stuff -
that he runs from it - there’s good reason to pay attention.
It’s certainly true that Canadian waters and their muskies
can show differing patterns in similar scenarios when compared
to smaller waters in the states. Dick says that on the waters
he often fishes (like Lake of the Woods) he really doesn’t
care for "heavy" bloom situations. And he will avoid fishing
on waters where heavy bloom is present. So, it is best to
avoid the thick stuff if possible, by simply fishing somewhere
else, or concentrating on lake areas with the least amount
of bloom build-up.
Tactics for Fishing Bloom
Let’s look at a couple of different scenarios here. First
of all, we’ll talk about a moderate bloom situation. On
a lake with a moderate stain and bloom, we’ll say the visibility
level is at 7 or 8 feet in bright conditions and at about
3 or 4 in darker conditions. Realistically, all presentations
may be effective here. Muskie may be active in deeper water
and on deeper structures, but generally I’ll try to stick
to shallower presentations, choosing lures that will run
"in the visibility range" -- even in deeper or open water.
And keeping in mind that anything is possible,
and that nothing should be ruled out, I’ll tell you that
(under such conditions) I’ve taken minimal numbers of fish
at a level deeper than 15 feet, even in very deep water
systems. Generally I try to run above structure, whatever
type it may be, and keep the lures above the fish.
There is one exception: that being medium
depth sand or rock humps, especially rock. I’ll concentrate
on such structures (and generally smaller bars that are
near other bigger structures or shoreline areas are best),
that top-off a few feet "below" the visibility range, say
2 to 7 feet below. And generally, it will be very important
to choose a presentation that will "contact the bottom."
Good choices are deep-diving crankbaits that will get down
quick and handle bottom contact like Musky Mania’s "Ernie"
diver. Also good, are heavy spinnerbaits with lots of thump.
Dick Pearson’s Grinder will work well, slow-rolled or with
a pull/pause retrieve.
When it comes to lure choice, "noise" and
"visibility" is a big factor. When bloom is present, baits
with rattles definitely produce more responses, while larger,
high-vibration blades seem to produce well with spinners.
Baits that are more visible get the nod; in most cases I
choose larger baits at this time. When the bloom is moderate
though, muskie may still show a preference for smaller baits
if they make noise.
Originally, I tried to steer towards obnoxious,
fluorescent colors in a bloom, thinking they would be easier
for muskie to see, but have since found that most of the
time, "basic black" is hard to beat (the first thing out
of Bruce Shumway’s mouth when asked about bloom was: black.
I nodded). My second choice is white or pearl. I’ve found
that the basics seem to work best under brighter conditions,
and that if the bright (gaudy) stuff is working, it’s generally
cloudy.
This is generally a great time for surface
lures. Again, generally the noisier types work best, and
normally when there is some wave action, even when whitecaps
are present. The rougher the water, the louder the lure.
Bulging (just under the surface, actually pushing water)
spinners is another very effective tactic in shallower ranges.
When it comes to retrieves and retrieve
speeds, anything has potential, but generally faster retrieves
will work the best. Often, "burning" spinners back to the
boat is effective. Very erratic action on jerkbaits and
crankbaits seem to work well too. A mediocre retrieve may
produce nothing, while faster erratic movement will excite
fish. Remember that water temps are generally still quite
high at this time, so fishs’ metabolisms are as well. Keep
an open mind though, considering different retrieves and
speed until patterns are noted.
Now lets say it’s a little later in the
season and the water is stained and the bloom is substantial
and/or starting to bunch up on the surface. The visibility
varies depending on where you are at on the lake, but is
generally only 1 to 4 feet in bright conditions and almost
nonexistent in darker conditions. Now things are probably
going to be tougher, and effective presentations will be
more predictable. Nearly all of the time, areas where the
bloom is the heaviest, and especially where layered on the
surface - will be great areas to avoid. If you haven’t been
out previously, a quick spin around the lake will quickly
show that concentrations of bloom vary -- and where there
are transitions of change - and what areas are the heaviest.
In a reduced-visibility situation, it is
normally better to slow presentations down -- yet be as
noisy as possible. Choose lures to accomplish this. Again,
generally I will concentrate on the upper level of the water
column. Big spinnerbaits are a great choice, something with
big blades that work well slow, providing lots of "thump"
and lift, allowing a slower retrieve and the ability to
fish shallow as well. "Bulging" spinners is very effective
here as well. Big Indiana and Colorado blades are normally
required to provide the necessary "lift" without a fast
retrieve.
Surface lures still work very well were
bloom is scattered. Prop-type baits that work best with
faster retrieves are usually poor. The baits with a revolving
rear blade on the back section like the Tallywacker, Pacemaker
or Holcomb’s Stomper and Low Rider. A steady, deeper, plop-plop
sound works.
Crankbaits and the jerks will work well
too, but again, slower is better. And the rattles are very
important here, and I’ve found rattles with a deeper sound
to be better. Larger jointed cranks can be the ticket, like
Drifter’s Believer, or the new large jointed Stalker or
Super Stalker. Erratic action is normally very good, so
twitch those crankbaits too. Always accentuate those pauses,
baits that "hang" on the pause or rise slowly work best.
I’ve had good luck allowing "slow-risers" to actually settle
on the surface a few times during the retrieve.
Fast retrieves should be tried if nothing
else is working, but normally slow is best with all lure
types in heavy bloom. Follow the same general rules in color
selection mentioned for moderate bloom. Black is a definite
leader here, while fluorescents fall last on my list. While
I’m a big preacher of versatility, it’s pretty hard to pull
me away from black or white in heavy bloom. No fancy scale
patterns needed here.
Patterning Fish
Bloom can be a good thing to a point.
One thing is definitely good "all-the-time" about bloom
if you are stuck fishing it. It is a helpful tool in patterning
fish. Very seldom, does a water with substantial bloom have
consistent densities of bloom throughout. Therefore, this
is a patterning tool. Following the basic guidelines for
fishing in bloom, try all of the options. As soon as any
activity is encountered, take note of the level of bloom
and the situation (it may be wind, sun, shade, ect.), and
then seek the other areas of the water you are on that are
most similar.
Bloom often concentrates the active fish.
I’m not certain exactly why at times, but I have found distinct
"level of bloom" patterns. And for some reason, these areas
will have concentrated the forage base, and of course active
predators. Something about it is just "right," while other
areas seem basically devoid of life.
One of the best days I’ve ever had was on
a lake with a fairly heavy bloom in early September. The
wind was about 5 to 10 miles an hour from the west. The
eastern shore had a build-up of algae some distance from
shore, but a distinct edge to it; beyond the edge the algae
was light-to-moderate, and scattered. Wherever this edge
occurred over some type of shallower structure (mostly weeds),
it was a red hot feeding zone. And the muskie were absolutely
wild for black jerkbaits. Once I noted the pattern, we had
consistent action for the remainder of the day. So remember
to try to use the algae as a locational tool.
Conclusion
So algae can be good … and it can be bad … even very bad.
Certainly, common sense tells us that we should be able
to contact some fish in a situation where heavy bloom is
present... fish simply can’t stop eating throughout a heavy
bloom. Definitely avoid "pea soup" areas that have extremely
heavy surface build-up. Other than that, keep an open mind
and you should be able to not only find a few active fish,
but possibly even pattern the active fish better. Even extraordinary
days are not out of the question.
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