JOIN TODAY! I like a shad pattern, white or chrome, and I like to match my bait size to the depth and the size of local baitfish. As summer gives way to the cooler days of fall, the temperature isn’t the only thing that changes. Once the water gets below 55, I’ll throw the lipless bait on the flats and if the fish are farther along in their seasonal pattern, that’s when I’ll throw that flat-sided crankbait. See you on the water. If you travel to different parts of the country, you never know what you’re going to face. Run it … Even though I got that smallmouth monkey off my back with a second-place finish at Lake Oahe, I’ll be honest with you. Spinnerbait Model: 1/2-ounce chartreuse-and-white Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye Pro Series with tandem willowleaf blades. It seems to be … 4 1/2 willow leaf on the back. Florida is known for its water, beaches, and most importantly, it’s fishing. POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. 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. Jigs. Although Olson’s favorite is a black-and-blue football jig, any variation … When the water is still warm during the day but cooler in the mornings and evenings, fish move around differently than they do in the dog days of summer. The same techniques that work so well in the summer start to wane in productivity as fall approaches, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a blast fishing for bass in the fall. Warm conditions don’t actually stop the seasonal change; they just slow down the process. Jerkbaits are extremely overlooked lures for catching schooling bass in the fall. Largemouth bass call “structure” home: inflowing or … That’s when warm weather stretches well into fall — like it has this year. It’s just a sign that your approach needs to be smartly adapted to the conditions present. 5. 4. Schooling fish aren't difficult to locate this time of year, which means they get a lot of pressure from anglers. You can cover a lot of water with it, and it catches big fish. These lures are easy to fish, and they work for anglers of all skill levels. As summer cools to fall and water conditions change, successful bass fishermen start modifying their tactics. As the weather begins to change, it enhances the outdoors and all the activities you can embark on. I’ll use this in the late fall when the water temperature gets down into the 50s. Among the best bait for bass, the Zoom Bait Brush Hog is another soft lure winner. A heavier bait will let you do this and still fish fast. With a 3/8- to a 1/2-ounce, depending on the water depth, you can keep that that spinnerbait high and you can even wake it when the situation calls for that. Largemouth bass fishing is best early May to late-June, and early September to mid-October, when the water temperature ranges from 55 to 75 degrees. Throw a blade - Spinnerbaits are great shad imitating baits… A jerkbait for cold-water fishing. A suspending or slow-rising minnow-shaped hard jerkbait is really … Once the bass engulfs the swim bait—do not immediately set the hook—allow the bass to take the lure for a few seconds (waiting for the “tick” feel) then set the hook with authority. As the water begins to cool and baitfish school up together, consider a jerkbait as an excellent choice for fall bass fishing.I know I’ve talked about other ways of catching bass in the fall, but jerkbaits are yet another good way.. Jerkbaits belong to the crankbait family of lures… FAIR day means that you may catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. May 29, 2020. The jig and pig is a better choice in stained water because its bulk makes it easier for bass to hone in on. Just because temperatures cool off doesn’t mean you can’t have fun out there, so get fishing! I call that combination “bread and butter.”. October is usually the start of some very good schooling action, as the bass start really feeding up on the shad and wild shiners in our lakes. Reaction Tackle Tungsten Football Jigs (2-Pack) on Amazon, $10-14, BOOYAH Pond Magic Spinnerbait on Amazon, $4, MeatEater Releases New Fishing Series ‘Das Boat’, My Pup Loves the YETI Dog Bed, But She Doesn’t Have to Pay for It. Spinnerbait: I use this in a similar application as the lipless bait but it’s a different … What I throw depends on the time of the year. 1. What that does is extend the season because water temperature determines everything in the fall. Shad and fall bass go hand in hand. Here are the best bass lures that catch fish all year long! Latest. Football Jigs. Buzzbaits. A lipless crank such as a Rat-L-Trap or Hot … The fish are still keying on bait and they’ll suspend a lot in 5-8 feet. Tournament anglers reveal their favorite baits for catching huge summer largemouths. This combination makes the liver pasty and … You can expect to see a lot of fish to hand with a crankbait whether you’re fishing for smallmouth or largemouth, as they’re both always eager to attack a crankbait. Plenty of other baits will produce healthy numbers of bass during the fall, but these are our favorites that will consistently provide the best results. 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. More Fishing. 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. Even bass that have slowed down for the season will still be willing to inhale a football jig. Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. Although Olson’s favorite is a black-and-blue football jig, any variation of this classic bass bait is a go-to during fall. Back in the cove, a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce bait is best. Blade color depends on water clarity, but 90 percent of the time, I go with a silver Colorado blade and a gold willow leaf. GOOD day means that you will catch enough fish to feel gratified. Just fish them along structure a little slower than you would during the summer seasons, and you’re in for a great day.” No matter where you choose to fish, spinnerbaits are deadly as seasons transition and the water starts to cool down. It’s worth noting these are generally fished for smallmouth from a boat, so largemouth anglers or bank anglers might want to give the A-rig a pass. If the bass are feeding on smaller baitfish like threadfin shad, use the smaller bait. The water hasn’t cooled down enough yet to make fish entirely sluggish, and they’ll still attack a spinnerbait fished with enough finesse. 2. One of the trickiest times to fish for bass is in the transition from summer to fall. It’s funny, while a lot of people are cleaning out their boats to reorganize their tackle for next year. The reason they’re so effective is because of what bass are … The lake is turning over and it gets what I call that “winter brown” look to it — that chalky, tannic color. Whatever you decide to fish, remember to fish slower and deeper, adapt to where the fish will be, and realize that bass will change their behaviors as water temperatures cool off. Spinnerbait: I use this in a similar application as the lipless bait but it’s a different style. One thing that can complicate the seasonal progression is what some people call an Indian summer. October is a beautiful month to explore what Florida has to offer. I like to mix up my colors with green pumpkin, Junebug and red bug, but I’ll also use a Merthiolate for an unweighted floating worm application to keep it higher in the water. This bite can last all day in the fall. October Bass Fishing Report. BEST … 1. Try out these baits and enjoy successful days on the water this fall. 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. By Dave Hurteau. If you fish the same honey holes you did during the heat of summer and use the same techniques, chances are you won’t put many bass … They represent a fairly easy feeding opportunity for lethargic bass, and some of the best days on the water in the fall are a result of a well-fished Senko. 2. Look for "nervous" shad near the surface and bass breaking the surface. 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. Since the schools are working on shad, this message should therefore tell you that the bait color most productive will be silver chrome, bone, or white. I always keep a walking bait on this time of year because schooling bass can surface at any time. “During the transition from summer to fall, bass will be shallower in the mornings, but they’ll move deeper as the day progresses. Get best fishing times with lunar fishing calendars, Daily Limit: Robertson blooms after gloom, Small crankbaits can heat up cold water fishing, Nominations open for 2021 Bassmaster High School All-Americans. This one is especially deadly when heavy numbers of baitfish are present, but it works well regardless and is a killer in the fall. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your dream adventure. It’s kind of a weird time of year, and you’ll need to adapt your strategy to that pattern,” Olson said. When they have that bait bunched up early in the morning, you can catch them cast after cast. Overall, if I had to pick my favorite part of a fall day, it would have to be the first two hours after sunup. Russ Lane prepares for fall fishing. You just need to switch up your tactics. They are most likely to hit both baits as the baits fall back down to the bottom. This is an excellent time to be on the water, as bass school up around big balls of baitfish and feed up on craws. Whether you want to go freshwater or saltwater fishing… Once fall kicks into full swing, bass become increasingly lethargic. Support us! Crankbaits are a top producer during the fall and winter months. What are the best baits to catch bass in the fall? We talked to accomplished tournament bass fisherman Lane Olson (above) to learn what strategies need to change as the summer transitions to fall. Olson commented, “Sometimes, you can ignore the rule of fishing slower and deeper with a bait like a crank. Swimbaits. There is no overall better performing lure for fall bass fishing than a jig. But even at home, you have to be prepared for a lot of fluctuation during the fall. Enter before February 8th for your chance to win. Overall, it’s the amount of daylight that cools the water because the sun doesn’t shine as long in the fall as it does in the summertime. One of the best baits to use this time of year is no doubt the wild shiner, these baits will not only produce some good numbers, but some great sized bass … 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. Fortunately, we’ve put together a list of some of the top bass baits you’ll want to be fishing this fall, as well as some tactics and strategies you’ll want to change as the cooler season approaches. Be prepared, when the big bass slams the bait … Olson recommends fishing deeper and slower as the weather becomes cooler, as it’s more difficult to find bass in shallower water. We asked five pros how they made it work and what it takes to make a living in the outdoor industry "in real life.". Excellent in heavy cover, you can use the Zoom Bait Brush Hog as a Texas rig, Carolina rig, or any way … Because of how diverse the fall season can be, I like to keep myself ready for whatever I might face. They can be fished in a multitude of different ways and, no matter what, seem to be incredibly productive. Depending on the local regulations in your state, you may have to fish some dummy baits on the rig. Generally considered to be a great all around fishing option, jigs or jigging works really well … When the fish are schooling on a flat, a lipless bait will get under them, but I can keep that spinnerbait up in the water column. 3 Colorado blade on the front and a No. What do our ratings mean? The Tail Dancer is my all time favorite Rapala. Once you’re on the water, though, the Alabama rig just might become your new favorite method to fish for bass. Lipless crankbaits are the number one choice for fall bass fishing lures. Buzzbaits. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Evers' 5 favorite fall lures. Now that you know how to adjust your tactic for bass fishing in the fall, let’s take a look at some of the best baits to have productive days in the cooler weather. So does bass behavior. This technique works well later in the day when the fish hold tight to cover and want a smaller profile bait. If you run across a wary school, a jerkbait … Bass tend to be a bit slower-moving as the seasons progress. 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. I love a double willow leaf spinnerbait, but in the fall I always seem to do best with a No. Jigs perform all year long because of how versatile they are. Fall is actually a time when you want to make sure you keep a good selection of baits handy. The well-known “A-rig” is a tool that every successful bass fisherman will want to have in their arsenal as fall approaches. Again, this is a productive bait for both smallmouth and largemouth. Figuring out what works in cooler weather can be difficult! Not all states allow more than a few hooks on one line, so make sure to check regulations and be sure you’re fishing legally before you go out. A more gentle presentation, especially during the winter months, can help catch more fish. Olson said he prefers to “fish spinnerbaits for largemouth, but they’ll work for just about anything. Jigs. Topwater: Until the water gets below 55, I love to throw a buzzbait to find those scattered fish. Tags: bait, bass fishing, bestof, fishing. Here’s what I’ll have on my deck. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. 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. Fish love to feed up in the fall, but they may not want a topwater. Survival. Jig Model: … They may not bite a jig, but you can go behind people and catch fish with that trick worm. These baits will consistently produce as the seasons change and bass get finicky. It’s a reaction bite, and even in cooler weather, bass will be willing to crush it.”. “The best way to fish in South Texas with chicken liver is to let it sit a while in the good Texas sun, then sprinkle a little garlic powder and a little chili powder on it. Black-And-Blue football jig is a productive bait for both smallmouth and largemouth I chose the silver and combination! The rig day means that you will have to work hard to so... To fall and winter months and all the activities you can catch plenty of this! 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