Heavy Winds and Cooling Water Push Smallmouth to Fall Reefs

What anglers are reporting We have not seen any fresh reports from the western basin over the past few weeks. With the November gales starting to roll in, boat traffic has thinned out significantly.

This week's outlook Water temperatures should be dropping into the low 50s or upper 40s following a recent cold front and a steady cooling trend. Smallmouth bass are in their late fall pattern, grouping up on main-lake reefs and points to gorge on gobies and emerald shiners before winter. The biggest hurdle this week will be the wind, with strong westerlies early in the week giving way to dangerous northwest blows by Thursday.

Where to start When the wind allows safe passage, target the edges of limestone reefs and island shoals in 15 to 25 feet of water, specifically looking for transitions where rock meets sand or gravel. If the open lake is too rough, pivot to Sandusky Bay or the harbor breakwalls. These sheltered areas can hold late-season largemouth and some smallmouth around riprap and remaining weed beds.

Bait box

• Silver or gold half-ounce blade baits
• Deep-diving jerkbaits in emerald shiner patterns
• Goby-pattern tubes on heavy jig heads
• 3-inch paddletail swimbaits on a ball head

This weekend A severe weather system is moving in, bringing northwest winds sustained between 27 and 29 mph from Friday through Sunday. These conditions will make the open waters of the western basin extremely dangerous. If you plan to fish, you must stick to fully protected harbors or the deepest corners of Sandusky Bay, but staying off the main lake is the safest bet.