NO THUNDER THURSDAY.  A great stretch of weather is setting up behind Tuesday’s storm system which has moved well east of North Dakota.  Use these days to get back on the water and find fish that are starting to think fall – and feedbag!  In today’s Three Things we talk about going big for big fall fish.

(Featured Photo: Angling for big fish in fall can produce terrific results, and muskies will be looking for big baits. Simonson Photo).

DAILY CONDITIONS:

WEATHER (Bismarck Forecast):
Today: Thu 8/17 – Starts to feel like summer again. Hi 83, Lo 56, Winds S @ 12
Tomorrow: Fri 8/18 – Continued warmth. Hi 84, Lo 57, Winds NW @ 11

SOLUNAR (Bismarck Times):
Sunrise: 6:45AM Sunset: 8:48PM
Moonrise: 2:12AM Moonset: 5:40PM
Overhead: 9:55AM Underfoot: 10:25PM
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (21% Full)

EDGE HOUR.  9:30 – 10:30AM.  Combine a mid-morning power hour with moon overhead and light winds under stable skies to catch some fish.  Today’s Edge Hour is a bit out of the ordinary, but you’ll find the best stretch to be the back part of your morning trip to your favorite lake!

DAY RATING:

THREE THINGS.

THINK BIG.  Late summer and fall, with their reduced photoperiod (daylight) trigger a feeding instinct in fish, especially those big pigs that are looking to fatten up and make it through winter.  It’s okay to upsize your offerings, particularly crankbaits, as walleyes are keying in on bigger baitfish at this time of year.

BIGGER! If you’re up for it, start setting up for late summer and fall muskie fishing, where super-sized suckers trigger the feeding response in big fish.  Baitfish from 12 to 16 inches can be the ticket when the bite is on, so make sure to have quick-strike rigs ready to roll when you hear of a hot sucker bite this upcoming season.

SMALL TOO.  Panfish will be on the feed until weedlines start to die off and fade out.  Crappies will still take to minnows and jigs until that first fall cold front sends them packing, but stable weather will bring them back in shallow from time to time.  Find bluegills deeper after that first frigid foray from up north, and fish slow and small to trigger a fall bite.

Stay Sharp.