8 Hour Fall Trip in Mallets Bay
Private Trip
Full-day fall fishing targeting Northern Pike, Walleye, Bass, and TroutExpert Captain Rob tracks seasonal fish movements for optimal resultsAll equipment provided including rods, reels, tackle, and professional guidance
Fall fishing in Mallets Bay is something special, and Captain Thorny's 8-hour charter gives you the time to really work the water right. Running from September through November, this top-rated trip puts you on some of Vermont's best multi-species action when the fish are most active. You'll be targeting Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, and Lake Trout with Captain Rob, who knows these waters like the back of his hand. With a full day ahead of you, there's no rush – just solid fishing in one of Lake Champlain's most productive bays.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Eight hours gives you real fishing time, and Captain Rob uses every minute of it. You'll start early when the bite is best, working different areas as conditions change throughout the day. The bay offers incredible variety – from shallow weed beds where pike lurk to deeper drop-offs where lake trout cruise. Fall is prime time here because the cooling water triggers feeding patterns that make fish more aggressive and predictable. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably, so whether you're bringing the family or a group of fishing buddies, everyone gets plenty of action. Captain Rob follows seasonal fish movements closely, adjusting tactics as needed to keep you on active fish. Don't worry about bringing anything except your Vermont fishing license – all rods, reels, tackle, and lures are provided, along with expert guidance on technique and fish handling.
Captain Rob runs a mixed-technique approach that covers all the bases in Mallets Bay. Trolling lets you cover water efficiently, pulling lures through different depth zones to locate active schools. When you mark fish or find structure, you'll switch to jigging – a deadly technique for walleye and lake trout holding near bottom. Light tackle fishing keeps things exciting, especially when smallmouth bass are involved. These fish fight way above their weight class on lighter gear. The captain provides quality equipment suited for each technique, from trolling rods with downriggers to sensitive jigging setups that help you feel every tap. Lure selection changes based on conditions, water temperature, and what the fish are feeding on. Fall patterns are different from summer – baitfish are schooling up, and predators are feeding heavily before winter. Captain Rob reads these patterns and adjusts accordingly, whether that means switching from spoons to jigs or moving from shallow to deep water.
Northern Pike in Mallets Bay are aggressive predators that love the bay's weedy structure. These toothy fish can stretch over 30 inches and hit lures with explosive strikes. Fall is prime pike time because they're feeding heavily, and the dying vegetation concentrates them in predictable areas. They're ambush hunters, so expect sudden, violent hits when your lure passes their hideout. Pike fights are all about that initial run and their head-shaking jumps.
Walleye are the bread and butter of many Mallets Bay trips, and fall fishing for them is world-class. These fish move into shallower water as temperatures drop, making them more accessible to anglers. Vermont walleye typically run 15-25 inches, with occasional fish pushing 28 inches or more. They're subtle biters – you'll feel more of a weight or tapping than a hard strike. Walleye are also fantastic table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to bring dinner home.
Smallmouth Bass in this part of Lake Champlain are renowned for their fighting ability. These bronze-backed fighters average 12-16 inches but can reach over 20 inches in these waters. Fall smallmouth fishing is outstanding because the fish are actively feeding and often school up around rocky areas and drop-offs. When you hook one, expect multiple jumps and powerful runs. They're pound-for-pound one of the strongest freshwater fish you'll encounter.
Lake Trout are the deep-water trophy of Mallets Bay. These native char can live for decades and grow to impressive sizes – 20-30 inch fish are common, with occasional monsters pushing 35 inches or more. Fall is when lake trout become most active, moving into shallower water as temperatures drop. They're strong, steady fighters that make long runs toward deep water. Landing a big lake trout is always a highlight of any charter, and their silvery flanks and forked tails make for great photos.
Fall fishing windows don't last forever, and the best trips fill up fast. Captain Rob's knowledge of Mallets Bay's seasonal patterns, combined with quality equipment and a full day on the water, makes this charter a solid choice for serious anglers. Whether you're after your first pike, looking to fill the freezer with walleye, or hoping to land a trophy lake trout, this 8-hour trip gives you the best shot at success. The changing leaves provide a beautiful backdrop, but the real show happens underwater where four different species are actively feeding. Book your fall fishing adventure with Captain Thorny's and experience why Mallets Bay is considered one of Vermont's premier fishing destinations.
Your fishing platform for Lake Champlain's fall action is this 22' C-Hawk downeast cabin cruiser, designed to handle the lake's changing conditions while keeping you comfortable during long fishing days. Twin 150HP Yamaha engines push this boat up to 35 knots, getting you to productive waters quickly and moving between spots as fish patterns shift through fall. The downeast design cuts through chop smoothly, while onboard downriggers let you target lake trout in deeper water and work the thermocline where fish stack up. GPS navigation keeps you on productive structure, and the fish finder helps locate schools and mark bottom contours where walleye and smallmouth bass hold. With space for 4 anglers and an onboard toilet, you can stay focused on fishing without cutting the day short. The cabin provides shelter when lake winds pick up, making those productive late-fall days more enjoyable when northern pike are feeding heavily before winter.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the giants of our deep, cold waters - typically 3-8 pounds in Mallets Bay with some real trophies lurking in the depths. These char prefer the coldest, deepest parts of the lake, often suspended 40-80 feet down. Fall is prime time as they move up from summer's deep haunts and become more active before spawning. What makes lakers special is their size potential and the challenge of finding them in deep water. They're strong fighters and excellent eating with rich, flavorful meat. The key here is jigging deep with heavy spoons or swimbaits - work them aggressively with long pulls to trigger strikes. Don't be afraid to fish 60+ feet deep on overcast days when they're most active.
Esox LuciusNorthern pike are the apex predators of Mallets Bay - long, lean fish with razor teeth and an attitude to match. They typically range 24-36 inches here, with some monsters pushing 40+. Look for them around weed edges, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they ambush prey. Fall is fantastic as cooling water brings them shallow to feed before winter. Pike are pure excitement - explosive strikes, aerial jumps, and bulldogging runs that test your drag. They're also surprisingly good eating when prepared right. Pro tip: when a pike hits your lure, don't set the hook immediately. Let them run with it for a few seconds first - they often grab prey sideways before turning to swallow it. Patience pays off with these toothy predators.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are scrappy fighters that punch way above their weight class. These bronze-colored fish average 1-3 pounds in Mallets Bay but fight like they're twice that size. They love rocky structure, drop-offs, and boulder fields in 10-20 feet of water. Fall fishing is outstanding as they feed heavily before winter, and they'll hit everything from jigs to topwater lures. What guests love most is the fight - smallmouth will jump, run, and give you everything they've got. They're also great table fare with firm, mild meat. Here's a local trick: when fishing rocky areas in fall, try a tube jig in crawfish colors bounced along the bottom. These bass can't resist a good crayfish imitation, especially in October.
Sander VitreusWalleye are prized for their golden color and distinctive glassy eyes that help them hunt in low light. These fish typically run 2-5 pounds in Mallets Bay, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They love rocky bottoms and drop-offs, staying deep during the day and moving shallow to feed at dusk. Fall is prime time here - cooler water gets them active and they're easier to locate as they follow baitfish. What makes walleye special is they're tough fighters and absolutely delicious eating with flaky white meat. My tip: fish the evening bite with jigs tipped with minnows near the bottom. When you feel that telltale "tap-tap," set the hook quick - they'll spit a lure faster than you think.
Lake Champlain