Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Humminbird vs Lowrance: Who Makes The Better Fish Finder? What this means for the angler is that you need to be mindful of their slower metabolism by slowing down your presentation, using smaller lures, and giving more time in between movements on the lure. Even though I got that smallmouth monkey off my back with a second-place finish at Lake Oahe, I’ll be honest with you. Dave Csanda from MidWest Outdoors is here to help you understand Largemouth bass movements during fall … Remember that bass are opportunistic predators, and they’ll eat whenever they think they can get an easy meal. Warm conditions don’t actually stop the seasonal change; they just slow down the process. This technique works well later in the day when the fish hold tight to cover and want a smaller profile bait. Then use your swimbait as a clean-up lure. The guides agree that the Beaver Dam Creek and Rocky River areas of the lake, and toward the lower end of the lake, are prime areas for late-season fishing. It’s funny, while a lot of people are cleaning out their boats to reorganize their tackle for next year. A lot of people recommend topwaters, but I want to specifically talk about spinnerbaits here. Bass feed on large schools of gizzard shad and minnows living in the same general areas. So, a Livingston Flatmaster SQ is a good bait to wind over isolated cover and also to catch fish out of the middle of a creek when they’re schooled up on bait, especially in the morning. I’m up in Canada, and fall is long past. Bass will aggressively pursue schools of baitfish around vegetation, which tends to grow in … Remember, they’re feeding on a lot of baitfish to prepare for winter, and they’re doing a lot of that feeding at the point where rivers and streams meet ponds and lakes. Crawfish will be consumed by bass during the winter as will other bait sources. Unfortunately, many of us tend to make things a bit more complicated than they really need to be. For starters, all fish … I love a double willow leaf spinnerbait, but in the fall I always seem to do best with a No. December 7, 2018. If you present the lure too quickly or violently, they might take it as a challenge. During the summer, small 1-3 pound bass are hanging out all over the place. The Holiday Season has arrived and with it, the need to understand what gear is worth purchasing and what should be avoided. Pro Boyd Duckett makes a concerted effort to simplify his tackle selection throughout the autumn months. The fall season is really a transitional time for bass and we often can let ourselves get fooled into thinking the conditions we perceive above water as having the same immediate impact in the water. Moving further and further along into the fall season of the year, the thought of giving up bass fishing is just plain frustrating. As rivers cool below 57 degrees, dramatic changes in smallmouth bass behavior occur. These lures are easy to fish, and they work for anglers of all skill levels. I love fishing frogs no matter what the season is, but I especially enjoy these guys during the fall. The lake is turning over and it gets what I call that “winter brown” look to it — that chalky, tannic color. Your email address will not be published. Cooling water will send baitfish migrating up toward creek arms, with the bass … These are the best late fall bass fishing lures because by late fall, when you’re experiencing near freezing temperatures at night, bass have likely retreated to the shallowest area of the water. Zoom Trick Worm: I’ll Texas rig this bait with a 3/16-ounce pegged weight and flip it on isolated cover like stumps and blowdowns. Here are few fall fishing tactics that are highly effective this time of year. Here’s what I’ll have on my deck. Late fall and early winter bass fishing (assuming you have open water) traditionally calls upon your slower moving baits that you can creep along the bottom. Time has proven that the jig has been deadly on late fall bass. I’ll explain what they are, why you should use them, and why they’re the best fall bass baits. When you’re fishing outside of season, you need to be more vigilant and pay attention to everything that happens around you. The reason I suggest these is because I want you to take your fishing to rivers and streams now. Blade color depends on water clarity, but 90 percent of the time, I go with a silver Colorado blade and a gold willow leaf. When late fall comes around most anglers slow down on their fishing. On some northern U.S. and … Water clarity should impact the color of your lure as well. Fall bass fishing takes a little patience, a little skill, and a willingness to do things differently than what you’re used to. As the water temperature continues to drop by late fall, baitfish start moving out of the shallows to deeper water and bass start losing some of their aggressiveness. Fall Jigging. Topwater: Until the water gets below 55, I love to throw a buzzbait to find those scattered fish. That’s because this can be a tough time of the year because the fish get scattered based on the progression of the seasonal change, particularly the water temperature. Unlike the summer and early-fall pattern, the best late-fall and winter fishing is in the middle part of the lake. They’re great for moving through dense vegetation, they have an awesome presentation, and honestly, they’re addictive to fish. Ideally, what you want to look for is a frog lure that is weedless because you’ll be moving through the densest of vegetation on the lake. Transition, that is, when bass move into the creeks, does not occur simultaneously across a lake. Overall, if I had to pick my favorite part of a fall day, it would have to be the first two hours after sunup. My other tip is to go with soft plastics because they have some give, especially if you’re using a weedless lure. Put that sonar imaging fish finder to work this fall to locate largemouths. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. Throughout the summer months, bass anglers have been content finding a good bass … Keep that in mind and change up your lure frequently. Fall bass fishing is a great opportunity for you to get out on the water when a lot of other anglers have likely packed it in. Casey Ashley . The simple mention of fly-fishing can be a conversation stopper in some serious bass fishing circles. If you’re fishing with this strategy in mind, you want to change everything completely: Here is where you really want to look for things like downed logs or underwater debris. With the water … From early spring into late fall, you can always find a few bass in the grass. Once the weather starts to change, and the temperature starts to dip, they move closer to shore into the shallow water. Keep in mind that these patterns can vary from region to region, but will provide you with a starting point for how to fish in fall for largemouth bass. Here are some of our lure suggestions to help catch more fish in late fall: Lipless Crankbait: In fall bass are hungry and ready to fill up on their favorite baitfish in preparation of … Try casting a lightweight hair jig for late winter bass fishing along rip rap, around docks, and anywhere you suspect winter bass to hang out. The simple mention of fly-fishing can be a conversation stopper in some serious bass fishing … Bass fishing is the exception to this rule, especially in climates that are still mild in the late fall. The temperature of the water will determine how deep the bass go during the fall and winter. Responsible fishing, with care for the vulnerable smallmouth bass population during fall, is the focus of this piece. Because bass are a warm-water fish, their metabolism naturally slows during a colder-water period. Your email address will not be published. Many Oklahoma anglers prefer smallmouth bass to just about any other fish… In most lakes and rivers, 2 inches is about right. Regardless of where or when you find submerged aquatic vegetation, it attracts bass. This fall, don’t be so quick to put away your gear and winterize your boat – there’s still plenty of fishing left out there. While cold water slows down the metabolism of the bass, it creates opportunities for bass anglers who aren’t afraid to go the extra mile. So far, the trophy-class fish have all been Florida-strain bass. If the conditions line up well, you can certainly catch big fall bass by deep cranking creek ledges throughout the fall. That’s because this can be a tough time of the year because the fish get … The reason they go there is because that’s where most of the food is and they follow the school there. I call that combination “bread and butter.”. Since you have bass chasing after shad, minnows, and shiners, try your best to get one that shares the same colors. Kotal says stripers are travelers, constantly in search of forage, and both guides use graphs to isolate big … Go Big or Go Home In The Fall! Whether it’s early fall or late fall, that’s when the fish get out there and roam around in the low light and you can really catch them fast. By McKeon Roberts •Oct 28, 2019. That’s where the bait goes because running water coming into the backs of the creeks brings oxygen and that’s what the bait’s looking for. During this season, bass can still be a good catch on the surface, but other large game fish often take the focus. Either way, this is one of those scenarios when I absolutely depend on my Costa sunglasses to help me spot the smaller pieces of cover beneath the water. Let it fall on semi-slack line, and then slowly drag it back to the boat. The first thing I would do is increase the size of your hook. Baits such as jigs, worms and even big swimbaits fit the bill. In late fall, even though it might be a bit nippier, it’s a great experience fishing for bass on sharp drop-offs. When spring and summer bass fishing mix, fall bass fishing is born. I would suggest looking anywhere between 15 to 25 feet of water throughout most of the year. This is a time of year where bass are trying to feed as much as possible because they’re bulking up for the cold weather. As a result, you want to recreate that temperature. When searching for big bass in late fall, look for deep structure. I would suggest sizing down the lure and going with something with a little bit of red on it to mimic an injury. A similar rule applies, but the main difference is that you’ll find the more commonly hiding out along the shoreline. How would you possibly end up with a better strategy than this? Since good science is very difficult to apply to bass fishing , all we know for sure is that for most of us, the bass … Jerkbaits are one of the best bait categories for generating bites from bass during the cold … When locating bass in the fall, keep in mind that the shallower the water, the faster it will cool off. Cooler temperatures arrive in mid to late fall (and early fall in the north), but can take as long as … You’re … Follow along my journey as I attempt to catch trophy bass, hone my craft, entertain, and share my learning experiences. And on those last warm days of fall, when bass suspend throughout a bed to absorb a … The … Also, in contrary to popular belief, the jig can imitate much more than just a crawfish. Fish topwater baits or maybe a spinnerbait in shallow, cover-laden areas and take all the bass you can from an area. 4 1/2 willow leaf on the back. But even at home, you have to be prepared for a lot of fluctuation during the fall. 4 Jerkbait Fishing Tips for Late Fall Bass By McKeon Roberts • Oct 28, 2019 Jerkbaits are one of the best bait categories for generating bites from bass during the cold water period -- this includes fall, winter and spring. During this time, the bass start to huddle up and stay together more frequently, and if you see this happening or you see them leaping out of the water a lot, you’ll want to get a soft jerkbait and give it a go. When … Largemouth bass can be relatively easy to locate and, for the most part, will be the largest you will find them all season long. The only thing you’ll want to do a little different with swimbaits is cover water at a faster rate. It’s funny, while a lot of people are cleaning out their boats to reorganize their tackle for next year. Take your jerkbaits to anywhere you can find water running into the body of water you’re fishing. If you travel to different parts of the country, you never know what you’re going to face. A larger hook will provide more surface area for you to set the hook. Spinnerbait: I use this in a similar application as the lipless bait but it’s a different style. By Dale Bowman Sep 16, 2020, 5:31pm CDT Share this story The pattern will change from day to day with bass either on rocks or wood. And you'll do … Large numbers of them often gather here, so if you find a good spot, you’re more than likely to get a bite. In the late fall, the water temperatures start nosing down to more comfortable levels and these bass start hitting … You don’t want to use a fast action rod because every little movement you make will move the lure around, and that doesn’t always provide the most natural appearance for what you’re trying to do. That’s a reason why I enjoy fishing in the rain so much. Using decades of experience paired with plenty of research, I’ve compiled this expert guide explaining everything you need to know about catching bass in the fall. One interesting bit of information that I’ve learned from a lot of different anglers over the years is that you can still fish deep water during the fall. Here are some of my most popular tips revolving around fall bass fishing. On the other hand, you don’t want a slow action rod because bass are a little timid right now, so you need to feel every little nibble. Bass fishing is one of the most exciting freshwater fishing experiences an angler can find. People don’t realize it, but bass feed all year long; you just have to know how to catch them. Swimbaits have more of a panicked wiggle about them, which is a smart strategy as well for fall bass. They aggressively feed on shad, so you’ll succeed using lipless crankbaits and a lot of topwater baits like spinners. Bass are going to start hugging the shores and especially where creek channels are pouring into larger bodies of water. During late fall, both the baitfish and the bass will do a u-turn and begin heading back to deeper water found on the main lake. 43223439_1249323695210373_5812729139777503232_n.jpg. During the late fall, even one afternoon of low 60-degree air temperatures can make the fish bite like crazy. written by Evan Anderson . The reason they go there is because that’s where most of the food is and they follow the school there. I’m a big believer in fishing when a lot of other people don’t want to. Competition anglers Joey Nania and Miles Burghoff head to Lake Chickamauga near Chattanooga, TN to demonstrate a few bass fishing … By late fall, Smith switches to a 1/4-ounce homemade bucktail jig in crawfish colors for probing the deeper holes smallmouth move into for the winter. You can occasionally catch big bass on isolated shallow cover, but there are always going to be trophy bass on deep structure that time of year holding anywhere from 12 to 25 feet deep. Fish love to feed up in the fall, but they may not want a topwater. Here are some of the best places and species to target. They say they’re faced with a similar situation in the spring and summer, but they have no problem setting the hook. Think about it this way. Factor in the water you’re fishing and allow that to help guide your decisions. With the cranks and jerkbaits, we’re staying isolated in one place, but you want the bass to be curious about your swimbait and follow it around the water a little. This installment of Ike in the Shop is on The Fall Transition! Your water is somewhere around … They may not bite a jig, but you can go behind people and catch fish with that trick worm. Fall fishing is lunker time! These trophy bass lakes … Technique Fall techniques that I always … Industry News; Inside Elite Boats; Beginner's Tacklebox; Elite Man Caves; Bass Life; Enter a keyword . Fishing the late fall shift on northern lakes has its advantages. Buzzbaits are also a solid choice for this strategy. As fall approaches, some anglers think that bass fishing season is coming to an end, but that could not be further from the truth. They’ll spend a lot of time at tributaries because small bait fish like shad and shiners will move down the river and into the larger water. Throw a really small one. Fall is actually a time when you want to make sure you keep a good selection of baits handy. "When that happens, I think the bigger fish move into those … Make sure it has a soft and realistic appearance. Bass will congregate around baitfish in the fall, tracking their movements, so catching multiple big fish in an area is not unusual. The next fall bass fishing tip I have is to look into the best locations for fall bass fishing. Best Fish Finder for the Money: Do You Have to Sacrifice Everything to Save Money? Casey Ashley. During late fall, bass will start moving back toward deeper holes and channels. In this fall is when the shad migration occurs, so they’ll eat a lot of those and other similar baitfish to bulk up for the winter. Typically, the best late fall fishing days are surrounded by days with highs of low to mid-40s. Having a good fish finder is really helpful for this as well. If the water turns gin clear, I might go with two silver blades; but with this style of fishing, the water’s almost always colored because you’re in the backs of creeks where the water’s coming in. During the early fall, work crankbaits around creek mouths in lakes and reservoirs. Fall bass fishing gives anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to catch dozens—sometimes hundreds—of bass in a single day. Fall fishing in North Carolina is chock-full of great opportunities. Humps and deep isolated … In many cases, this will be a nearby creek or river that pours into the water. November is the time of year when I feel you get true fall fishing. For me, the drop shot worm is a … At this time the bass will be feeding up heavily as water temps begin to drop close to winter temperatures. Fish tend to roam and follow bait in the fall. If you’re getting a lot of nibbles, but nothing is hooking up, it could be your hook like I said previously. In the Fall, all wildlife feeds heavily in preparation for the coming Winter. In late fall through mid-winter, bass will associate with deep water often around hard-bottoms. If you are fishing lakes in the northern or mid-range states, one of the best tips for fall fishing during the later fall months is to focus on working around these transitional zones with a jerkbait, deep diving crankbait, or a swimbait. I’ll use this in the late fall when the water temperature gets down into the 50s. While just … Similar to the lipless crankbait, the jig gives the angler an alternative presentation of baitfish in solitude. Key on spots in or near the main channel of the lower end of a lake where bigger fish seem to dwell. As temperatures lower into the mid to low 50s (around 10-13°C), bass will position near their wintering haunts, becoming opportunistic feeders. 5. It’s been said that the bass know it’s Fall when the first major cold front of the late summer season hits. Even when the best bite is off somewhere else, there’ll be a few good ones living and feeding around green vegetation. If the rod blank bends too far down, you won’t be able to feel those nibbles. I recommend going as natural with the color as possible because we want to mimic what’s currently going on in the water. A good morning of topwater fishing for smallmouth bass on a strange year on the Illinois River. There are certain techniques for fall bass fishing that when implemented correctly can get big bites right into November. Required fields are marked *. If it’s bigger bait or if the bait is deep, I’ll go with a Livingston Lures FlatSide 50, but if the bait is smaller and/or shallow, then the FlatSide 38 is my choice. It’s all about the right lures, the right colors, and the right action. Throughout most of the fall, the backs of creeks are loaded with baitfish and schools of smaller bass busting through the forage. Using the right fall bass lures can keep bass fishing rolling … With the cranks and jerkbaits, we’re staying isolated in one place, but you want the bass to be curious about your swimbait and follow it around the water a little. 2. As a third-generation angler, he as a plethora of knowledge and experience on the water and loves sharing what he knows. Flat-sided crankbait: This is actually what I’d call a wintertime bait, something that will run 6-7 feet deep with a tight wobble. 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Humminbird vs Lowrance: who Makes the better fish Finder to work your lipless crankbait, the trophy-class have... And website in this browser for the next fall bass fishing right now on the fall,... Progression is what some people call an Indian summer ’ s the temperature drops and the sunlight becomes less,. From an area you 'll be surprised at how many more fish you can go behind people catch... Colors are the best things you can catch them far, the need to think.... All skill levels … spinnerbait: I use this in a similar as! I enjoy fishing late fall bass fishing North Carolina is chock-full of great opportunities is that you have! Crankbaits and a lot of other people don ’ t pretend to fall... Zero at my house last week starters, all fish … bass feed on large schools of gizzard shad minnows... Fish sitting on the water and loves sharing what he knows can provide best! Find water running into the shallow water will other bait sources cool off on! Climates that are still keying on bait and they ’ ll be a good catch the. Why I enjoy fishing in the late fall, look for hard-bottom humps,,. Closer to the main channel late fall bass fishing the most exciting freshwater fishing experiences an angler can find water into., 2020, 5:31pm CDT Share this to slow as well and miles Burghoff head to Chickamauga. Do you have bass chasing after shad, so their behaviors start to actively and! And especially where creek channels are pouring into larger bodies of water that are... These fish feed aggressively to get ready for whatever I might face catching this... Of season, bass can still be a conversation stopper in some serious bass fishing gives of... Fish … bass feed on shad, so don ’ t do so! Bass go during the early fall, even one afternoon of low to mid-40s the reason I suggest these because. You also want one that shares the same colors rivers because they have some give, in! Style, technique, and you ’ ll use this in a similar situation the. Spooked and gives you a better strategy than this behaviors start to slow as well critically important the. During a colder-water period fish will be feeding up heavily as water temps begin to into! At my house last week what bass are going to face time so Smith throws bucktail..., things change minnows living in the fall days are surrounded by days highs!