My wife and I agree on many things. But when it comes to autumn, we couldn’t be further apart. She dislikes the rain, the wind, the cold, and the endless falling leaves. I, on the other hand, can’t stop smiling. For me, autumn means hungry predators. As winter approaches, the pike, zander, and perch in the Amsterdam waters get more aggressive by the day.
Before we get to the fishing, let me clear up one thing. I’m not the biggest fan of rain and wind either — in that sense, I fully understand my wife. But bad weather doesn’t have to spoil your day on the water. I provide high-quality waterproof and windproof suits that you can wear over your regular clothes. On colder days, I also have warm boots and gloves on board. So even if the weather turns rough, you’ll stay dry, warm, and ready to fish. So let’s move on to the fishing part.
Kill-mode
On my LiveScope, I watch zander and pike become restless. They patrol the water, chasing schools of baitfish that grow larger and denser as the season goes on. Safety in numbers only goes so far, though — dozens of toothy predators circle them constantly, making sure they get fat enough to survive the colder winter months.
So you simply follow the baitfish, I hear you say. No, strangely enough, I rarely target these feeding frenzies. When fish are laser-focused on baitfish, they ignore everything else we throw at them. But not to worry: there are plenty of other areas and plenty of other fish ready to strike. Even when they’re not actively hunting, predators in autumn are on “kill mode”. That means violent strikes, bent rods, and big smiles on board. Casting hard and softbaits, anything with a blade, and of course both large and small jerk baits – anything goes!
Autumn tactics for zander
Autumn is one of the best times to target zander in wide open waters, such as the Amsterdam IJ and adjacent lakes. As said, fish become more active while feeding heavily before winter. In these conditions, casting softbaits is still highly effective, as well as casting deep running crank baits. Look for subtle changes, like sandbars, drop-offs, and submerged humps, as zander often stage near these features. Slow, steady retrieves with medium-sized crankbaits or soft plastics work well, mimicking injured baitfish. Dawn and dusk are particularly productive, as zander move into shallower areas to hunt.
Water clarity and temperature affect activity: clear, cooler water often encourages more cautious bites, so adjust lure size and color accordingly. Luckily, these conditions only happen during long periods without wind and current, a rarity during autumn, so I’m happy to say that the water is nice and murky most of the time. That’s when zander fishing is at it’s best. My favorite bait and color for this murky water is the Spro Iris Pop-Eye in UV-mojito pattern, in both 10 and 12 cm length. Days with double digits, and even dozens of zander, are no exception.
When things get tough…
So, does that mean every autumn trip delivers dozens of fish? Not quite. It’s still fishing, not catching. A sudden north or eastern wind can shut the bite down. When water temperatures drop quickly, fish stay put and wait for stable conditions. The key word here is stable, not warmer. Even a cold north wind will get them feeding again after a few days, once they’ve adjusted.
On these slower days, we switch tactics. For zander, a slow-fished softbait on a drop shot often works wonders. For pike, I prefer the opposite approach — something loud and flashy, like a spinner or chatterbait, to trigger a reaction bite.
Dying weed beds are prime pike territory in autumn. Hidden in the greenery, they ambush anything that swims past. When it’s our lure they hit, you’ll feel an explosive strike just under the surface. Moments like these make your heart skip a beat.
Love those ledges for pike
As autumn progresses, I increasingly focus on the ledges — those drop-offs where shallow water suddenly gives way to deeper areas. These edges are prime ambush zones. Pike position themselves here with purpose, sitting right between the shallows and the depths, ready to strike. Any baitfish that wanders across this boundary is in serious danger. On big open waters, these ledges often stretch for long distances, creating highways for both prey and predator. By carefully working lures along these breaks — from softbaits ticking the bottom to flashy spinners higher up — you dramatically increase the chance of connecting with a heavyweight pike. These green villains know exactly where to wait, and that’s why I love targeting them here.
Perch, the challenging one
And then there’s perch. They can be tricky in autumn. One day we catch dozens, including fish over three pounds. The next day, they seem to vanish. That’s why I don’t offer trips focused only on perch at this time of year. Instead, I combine perch fishing with zander and pike. It’s more honest, and it avoids disappointment. Some guides might promise guaranteed (big) perch, but I prefer to keep it real.
Now something more about specific techniques to target perch in Amsterdam during the fall. Light to medium-light tackle works best, using spintails, soft plastics, or crankbaits, fished slowly near the bottom. Of course, I provide all these specialized rods, reels and baits, so no worries about that.
Perch often school, so once you locate one, chances are there are more nearby. By drifting or slow trolling we cover large areas efficiently, especially in lakes or wide rivers. Early morning and late afternoon are peak feeding times, but overcast days often trigger activity throughout the day. Water clarity plays a role: in clear water, natural-colored lures and subtle presentations are more effective, while in murky water, brighter or more vibrating lures help attract attention. We will be searching methodically and adapt to depth changes to make autumn perch fishing as productive as possible.
Book your ‘Amsterdam Autumn Fishing’ Trip now!
Well, that’s Amsterdam predatory fishing in autumn in a nutshell. It’s unpredictable, exciting, often very rewarding, and always unforgettable. If you’d like to experience it yourself, feel free to reach out with any questions. And if you’re thinking about booking a last-minute autumn trip, you can check my available dates here: Book your trip with Fishing Guide Juul
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