JACK WOLLITZ The bounty of fall

Shorter days and cooler weather trigger changes in the fish world that work to the advantage of those who haven't stowed their tackle for the season.
Many anglers have made the transition to autumn pursuits such as hunting and football, clearing the lakes of much of the hustle and bustle. Now there is plenty of elbow room for fishermen to enjoy the peace and quiet.
Panfishing is a great way to while away a few hours on the water without investing a lot of effort. Great action is available along causeways at most of the area's reservoirs.
Crappies, bluegills and even a few walleyes and bass are cruising the rip-rap where anglers can stake out a spot, sit back and enjoy some excellent fishing.
Rocky places with quick access to deep water attract fish because they offer great feeding opportunities.
Because they provide easy access to anglers, causeways and dams often are crowded with anglers in the warmer months and the fish quickly learn to avoid the areas -- at least during the daylight hours.
But in the fall, such places attract far less fishing pressure. Plus, the relentless pounding from wakes that kept the water muddied during the height of the boating season is reduced significantly now, making it easier on the fish that move in to feed on young shad, minnows, insects and crustaceans.
Good spots
Good bets include the U.S. 224 causeway over Berlin Reservoir, the dam and Ohio 88 causeway at Mosquito Creek Reservoir, the Mahoning Avenue bridge over Lake Milton and the Pennsylvania Route 18 causeway at Shenango Reservoir.
The wing walls at the mouth of the state park marina at the south end of Mosquito also offers good panfishing. A bit farther up the road, but an excellent location, is the U.S. 6 causeway at Pymatuning.
When you find a place where the breeze is kicking up a little fuss -- not waves, but ripples -- your chances of catching fish will be enhanced considerably. If you have a choice between slick and ruffled, always go for the latter.
Crappies and bluegills tend to gang up in schools. One bite is a good signal that others are almost certain to follow.
Savvy crappie anglers rig up two or three rods. They set up one with a slip bobber and a jig or plain hook, either of which can be tipped with a small minnow or two maggots or wax worms.
The other rod gets a 1/16-ounce jig to cast and retrieve in a steady swimming motion so it stays a couple of inches above the snags. Thread on a 1-inch twister (chartreuse or white) or a tiny tube body.
Those who target bluegills often trade the minnow for a juicy red garden worm. Larvae such as maggots and wax worms also work well on bluegills and other sunfish, especially if they are threaded onto the hook of a small chartreuse or hot pink Pin-Min or other tiny spoon bait. The extra flash and color pique bluegills' interest.
Best depth
The search for fish should start in 5 to 8 feet of water, which typically is just a short lob from most of the causeway spots locally. A brush pile or a few sprigs of vegetation in the vicinity add to its ability to hold good numbers of fish.
Swim your jig or set your float so the bait rides just over the top of the bottom, brush or weeds. Crappie are particularly shy about changing depths to get a bait, especially down, so experiment with the bobber setting until you get a pickup.
The bite this time of year often happens throughout the day, but the hours immediately after sunrise and before sunset yield predictably better prospects.
The crowds are gone and the fish are back, so now is a great time to enjoy another great day on the water. Today you can be a crowd of one, with a much better chance of relaxing and catching supper.
jwwollitz@aol.com