I have noticed major pattern changes since early October. Temperatures have been on the hot side and are now starting to rapidly get colder. I have only been targeting sunfish for a few years and I am still learning their patterns. I have been catching em in shallow water through out the fall. I can remember last year during this same time I was catching em in deeper water by brush piles. Will their patterns change as a result of this first strong cold front? What do you think?

Fall patterns are setting in especially after this latest cold front. Late September and all of October have been very warm months. I have also been catching fish in shallow water. Water body types,Weather and water conditions,and general environment will all play factors in a fishes pattern. Sunfish will still be active looking for food before the winter sets in. Right now I am getting fish in 4 to 12 feet of water. Once winter sets in fish will be in 15 to 25 feet of water usually hanging around brush piles and drop offs. This winter according to forecast will be colder than normal. If you fish for sunnies it will be a very slow winter bite. Just my two cents.

I am noticing the change as well. When winter gets in full swing the top water bite nearly disappears. I'm starting to see signs of that already. I have had to start throwing sinking flies out into much deeper water in order to find fish. Overnight temperatures are supposed to dip below 50 degrees this week.

Last year we had some early cold fronts in September that kicked off the fall patterns early. This has been a far milder fall and the bite has been incredible up until this last cold front. Hopefully there will be one final feeding frenzy before they retreat into deeper water for the winter.