Less sunlight daily, leaves are changing colors, and water temperatures progressively dropping…that means fall is upon us! Fall is the time of year when many fish species are feeding heavily on minnows, so using a minnow-imitating hardbait like the new Yo-Zuri 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series can be highly effective when pursuing everything from panfish to predators.

The new 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow comes in three sizes (1 5/8”/40 mm, 2 3/8”/60 mm, and 3 1/8”/80 mm) and eight colors including naturalistic trout, smelt, and metallic patterns. The Flat Heavy Minnow is a suspending hardbait that comes in Yo-Zuri’s patented scale prism pattern and built-in rattle system which draw fish in from a distance. A unique feature that sets the Flat Heavy Minnow apart from other hardbaits is that it does not just sink, but it notably flutters as it falls through the water column. This fluttering movement mimics a dying or injured baitfish that often entices fish to strike before retrieving the lure even begins. When the characteristics are added all together, the 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series makes for a dynamite hardbait that fish cannot resist throughout the transition from summer to fall, peak fall, and late fall periods.

Early Fall

As summer transitions to fall, predators like walleyes, northern pike, and bass move in and out of weed lines in search of prey. Making long casts more than forty feet with the 3 1/8” Flat Heavy Minnow tied to 20 lb test Yo-Zuri Super Braid parallel to the weeds is a solid way to draw attention from predatory species. Focusing on depths of ten to twelve foot of water and retrieving the Flat Heavy Minnow halfway down the water column works very well as fish will oftentimes feed up as they lie in ambush in and near the weed lines. A pull and pause retrieve maximizes the flutter on the fall in this scenario, which increases the number of fish that will bite.

Peak Fall

As emergent vegetation dies and surface temperatures progressively drop, large schools of large slab crappies suspend as they prowl over some of the deepest water in a given system chasing schools of minnows. This might mean that they are five feet down over fifteen feet of water or it could mean they are suspended fifteen feet down over thirty feet of water depending on the lake. In this scenario, pairing the 1 5/8” 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow with Yo-Zuri 4 lb or 6 lb Hybrid line can be highly effective a sit can be cast far from your fishing vessel to decrease spooking fish while getting down to the fish before they move. Casting beyond the school of fish and going with a lift-pause-fall-repeat cadence one to two feet above them can be a great way to chase suspended slabs. The key during the cast and retrieve is to keep the line taut as big crappies will regularly up hit the Flat Heavy Minnow, oftentimes swallowing and/or T-boning the lures.

Late Fall

Late fall is the time when water temperatures have plummeted, turnover has come and gone, and a great deal of vegetation has been diminished. This is an excellent time of year to use the 2 3/8” 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow for trout as they thrive in cold water. Trout can sometimes be a bit more challenging to catch as they can be found at any stage of the water column from the bottom to the surface as they feed on insects and minnows before the upcoming freeze. Any of the available trout-based patterns can be strong choices this time of year when tied to Yo-Zuri 6 lb T-7 Fluorocarbon. The key to retrieving and/or trolling the Flat Heavy Minnow is to move quickly(1.5 miles per hour or more) through the water column as the goal is to get reaction strikes. If the lure is moving too slowly, trout may be less inclined to strike. Because trout can be located anywhere in the water column, I usually start speed fishing in grids in the middle of the lake and work my way outward toward remaining weeds near the shorelines. Taking this approach allows for fish to be found and fish behavior to be patterned more quickly so that more time can be spent in the more productive zones of the lake.

Fall offers a bonanza of great fishing for a variety of species. Stock your gearboxes with the new 3DR-X Flat Heavy Minnow series and get ready for some great northern pike, bass, walleye, crappie, and trout fishing throughout the phases of fall.

Tightlines and safe travels!

Mark Maule