Fall Bass Fishing: The 4 Lures to Catch Bass this Time of Year

Fall Bass Fishing: The 4 Lures to Catch Bass this Time of Year

Fall Fishing 

Well folks, it’s that time of year again. It may also be the best time of year, because right now through mid December is going to be some of the best fishing.

Fall has arrived and with those cooler temperatures the bass have begun chasing bait in order to gorge themselves before the long cold winter. I judge the summer to autumn transition based upon when I have to put on a hoodie when I wake up in the morning. The bass recognize the arrival of fall when the nights are longer, there is less sunlight, the water temperatures are dropping, and the water has turned over. Unlike late summer, there is oxygen throughout the entire lake and they can swim anywhere their little fish hearts’ desires.

Where to Find Bass 

Bass behavior becomes erratic this time of year. Initially when the water turns over, they may even drop to deeper depths than they had been all summer. There is one constant about fall fishing though, the bass are always moving. If they are located in one spot today, a couple of days from now they will be gone and you will have to find them again. Eventually the bass will migrate to the backs of creeks and pockets, but that takes a little time. It doesn’t happen overnight. Thats why folks say to break a creek located off the main down into thirds. The first third is nearest the main lake. You need to target this area in early fall. By October, or November, you can probably start your day by fishing the second third of the creek, and by late in the month and early December make sure you target the very backs of the creeks. The structure will often the same. Find the secondary points, humps, channel swings, fallen timber, and anyplace the bass can either stage or corral baitfish for an easy meal.

Because fall fishing is about moving with the bass migration, you need to make sure you have these four lures tied on between September and December.

1. Crankbaits 

Crankbaits are perfect for covering lots of water, whether you’re fishing deep or up shallow. Since the bass are on the move you’ll need something to search for them. During late summer and the early fall we are still going to be throwing relatively deeper diving crankbaits such as a Strike King 5 or 6xd. As the fall progresses and those water temperatures continue to drop we will begin to downsize the size and running depth of our plugs. For instance, usually by late October through mid-November we will have a 3xd or Rapala DT 6 tied on our rods. Eventually when the bass get right on the bank and in the backs of the creeks, our crankbait of choice is going to be a squarebill. They are excellent choices when targeting any fish from the bank out to a depth of four or five feet.

Strike King 3XD

When fishing crankbaits in the fall, work them as fast and as erratic as possible. Dig them into rocks, crash them off timber, rip them through grass. You need to create a commotion to draw those fish in. As soon as your crankbait deflects off a piece of cover the bass are going to smash it.  

2. Jigs 

Bourbon Street Craw

Of course, here at OneCast Fishing, this is our specialty. However, jigs are the big bass bait and you still have to have one tied on this time of year. They will help you land that larger than average size fish, which is something everyone wants to catch. Early to mid fall we love throwing a football jig, especially around rock and hard bottoms when the fish are oriented right near the bottom structure. During this time, I will still choose a trailer that has a lot of kick and flair such as the Rage Bg with all the appendixes. That active action is going to attract bass. Remember, the water is still reality warm and an active trailer still appears life like. As the fall progresses and water temperatures drop we are going to transition to a jig trailer that is a little more subtle. For instance, a Reaction Innovations Sweet Beaver is a little more subtle with fewer and thicker appendixes and that is going to imitate the slight slow down of cold blooded prey. By winter, we will move on to a pork chunk or another trailer that has little or no movement in the water.  

3. Bladed Jigs / Spinnerbaits 

Today, we are going to combine these two into one lure discussion. So really you all are getting five lures to use during the fall. The reason we lump the two together is because vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits are some of the most used and efficient lures during the fall. They are excellent imitators of baitfish, put off a tremendous amount of vibration, and are very versatile. They can be fished extremely fast right below the surface or slow rolled along the bottom.

When we can get away with it we prefer to use a bladed jig. Thats only because we feel like they catch bigger fish. However, we still have to opt for a spinnerbait when fishing lakes that still have plenty of grass. Spinnerbaits will come through the vegetation much better than a bladed jig. 

One thing about fishing spinnerbaits in the fall though, you need to be using willow leaf blades. The rest of the year Colorado blades work great. You can fish these slower and deeper. However, this time of year you need to be fishing fast and covering water. The willow leaf blade enables this and reeling it fast helps imitate a group of fleeing shad or bluegill.  

Whether you decide to tie on the bladed jig or spinnerbait, be prepared to cover a lot water and fish fast. Make sure you run it into cover so it deflects. Much like the crankbait this rapid course alteration is going to cause that reaction strike. 

 

Bream Magic 

The perfect bladed jig for those bass feeding on fall Bluegill. 

4. Topwater 

I don’t think this one is a surprise to anyone. You are going to get some of your biggest topwater explosions this time of year. As the fall progresses the bass become more aggressive and are eager to attack your topwater bait. I learned this first hand two years ago at a local club tournament. To date it was my best 5 fish limit during a tournament. I had 10 bites all day and they all came on a KVD Splash. Two of bass missed the lure. One wasn’t a keeper, and I culled the other two. The 5 fish I brought to weigh-in weighed 21.83 pounds. Needless to say, topwater plugs works during fall.

Due to that success, we may be partial to the popper style of topwater lures. They work great when thrown against steep banks with overhanding cover or lay downs. When you cast them out, let them sit until the rings disappear then begin working it back to you in a steady cadence. Pop-Pop-rest-Pop-rest. Something about that retrieve brings the big bass to the surface.  

Now some days the bass may not want a popping style bait, they may be chasing shad in open water, or they may be scattered and cruising looking for an opportune meal. In those situations throw a walking style bait such as the Zara Spook. These lures cast a mile and you can work them slow with a wide swing, or you can work them extremely fast. Because you can work them faster than a popper you can cover a lot more water with them. 

Other excellent topwater choices during the fall are a buzzbait and a Whopper Plopper. The whine of these lures attract the bass from a long ways away. Smallmouth or spots will even come out of 30 feet of water to blow up on them. These also work great in lakes where the water is being drawn down for winter. In those situation the bass will often target crawfish as they seek to scurry back down to the rock still left in the water. The bass will sit very shallow and wait to ambush the crawfish, or your topwater as it comes on by.

Fall fishing is some of the best fishing you’re going to have all year. It is right up there with the spawn. All the bass are active and they know they have to feed for the winter. Get out on the water and no matter what make sure you have tied on at least one: crankbait, jig, spinnerbait/bladed jig, and topwater.

 

Happy Fishing

 

Tight Lines. 


312 comments


  • herbertlawson

    https://events.humanitix.com/host/gyeongseong-creature-full-ep-1-7-thai
    https://gamma.app/public/EP-7-7-HD—8b11ercz8hlypfa
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep8-8—1j77roysf6eh162
    https://gamma.app/public/My-Demon-EP-9-9-HD-THAI-2sne5fa79pdlo60
    https://gamma.app/public/My-Demon-Ep10-10-Full-HD—hgib7rpgq1hn3st
    https://gamma.app/public/The-Story-of-Parks-Marriage-Contract-EP-9-9-HD-THAI-uxzwagu87icjo9c
    https://gamma.app/public/The-Story-of-Parks-Marriage-Contract-EP10-HD-FULLHD—x6zmb3jrxlrci9l

    https://gamma.app/public/VIP-Only-EP6-6-HD-THAI-xqesokxo9rtucrk
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep11-12-11-12-Full-HD—i4fruacaj4czf3n
    https://gamma.app/public/EP6-6-FULLHD—jwzxfluxa9n3dun
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/pit-babe-ep-6-uncut
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep7-7-Full-HD-UNCUT-hzx03y463gnuf5r
    https://gamma.app/public/EP7-HD-FULLHD—eg93kf0b41zzjay
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep8-8-Full-HD-UNCUT-krm0je4cglbdk1a


  • herbertlawson

    https://gamma.app/public/Ep4-4-Full-HD-UNCUT-cf7k9zy3rdcovra
    https://gamma.app/public/EP6-HD-FULLHD—473fyeuiedz91ne
    https://gamma.app/public/EP-9-9-HD—tll3tp8pv5uhfvy
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep10-10-FULLHD—puyiysievmgvh1u
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep15-15-FULLHD—4k3du8uau3i248k
    https://gamma.app/public/EP16-16-HD-eylk1mj8ezeio0f
    https://gamma.app/public/EP1-1-HD-l5g3ei9j7fvkrzq
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep1-1-FULLHD—rdqufo08s6de2lg
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep1-7-1-7-FULLHD—n0e83aitsfuwccl
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/gyeongseong-creature-full-ep-1-7


  • shrfb

    https://theofficegamesep9.vsble.me/
    https://theofficegamesep9.vsble.me/hd/thai/
    https://theofficegamesep9.vsble.me/hd/
    https://theofficegamesep9theseriesthai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/theofficegamesep10theseriesthai
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/theofficegamesep10seriesthai
    https://theofficegamesep10dramaseriesthai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://btsmonumentsbeyondthestarep1-ep2.vsble.me/
    https://btsmonumentsbeyondthestarep1-ep2.vsble.me/hd/thai/
    https://btsmonumentsbeyondthestarep1-ep2.vsble.me/hd/
    https://agooddaytobeadogep11seriesdramathai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/hangoutep11seriesthai
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/hangoutep11dramaseriesthai
    https://hangoutep11thedramaseriesthai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/hangoutep12seriesthai
    https://playboyyep6theseriesuncutthai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://forhimep4theseriesuncutthai.unicornplatform.page/
    https://www.forexagone.com/forum/questions-debutants/kadarafasa-93883#191374
    https://www.forexagone.com/forum/presentation-traders/jalopisga-93884#191375
    https://mez.ink/loveseniorep7theseriesblthai
    https://4kings2story.vsble.me/
    https://4kings2story.vsble.me/hd/thai/
    https://4kings2story.vsble.me/hd/
    https://gist.github.com/tahi2023/6ed2ee4989cc2a1d6818f2acd67ca8b9
    https://gist.github.com/tahi2023
    https://gist.github.com/tahi2023/4c6e74ffd23a0a3d63e372b81eff9b4c
    https://www.pastery.net/ejbesg/


  • herbertlawson

    https://gamma.app/public/HD—fklj4rdjz4gqusx
    https://gamma.app/public/HD—1csdptlg05qu9o1
    https://gamma.app/public/HD—jhy8l4uf1m6zm0r
    https://gamma.app/public/-8h1gmfj5nqdnuve
    https://gamma.app/public/-x2lc3dl6ssznpun
    https://gamma.app/public/-chh59hmpvlowpqo
    https://gamma.app/public/-4rzwe5p95syvvxi

    https://gamma.app/public/HD—f92sq434ohsklgr
    https://gamma.app/public/HD—ezkzqexyzcs27i1
    https://gamma.app/public/HD—1ow7bczhhjtoe48
    https://gamma.app/public/42—3jncmku3e8qldii
    https://gamma.app/public/4king-2—8×7lxwypp2n4s29
    https://gamma.app/public/42-4king-2-HD—1irqceupk7lkkol
    https://gamma.app/public/42-4king-2-HD—9jn222vhreb8mgv
    https://gamma.app/public/42-4king-2-HD—u1i50e6d8svaccy


  • herbertlawson

    https://gamma.app/public/EP1-1-HD-THAI-yr46sf3gf4s6v6f
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/like-flowers-in-sand-ep-1-thai
    https://gist.github.com/like-flowers-in-sand-ep-1/726a779ba281e4a31bc972ee146a985d
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep2-2-FULLHD—t5lhtr740hbahyy
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/like-flowers-in-sand-ep-2
    https://gist.github.com/like-flowers-in-sand-ep-2-thai/28309f7efcafea18181192f343e0b1be
    https://gamma.app/public/7-EP5-HD-FULLHD—kuncf65hsvh1yv8
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/7-days-before-valentine-ep-5
    https://gist.github.com/7-days-before-valentine-ep-5-thai/7ea24865ece6cd0f1e39f23d1bb12d7d
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep7-7-UNCUT-FULLHD—nywuqjarii5ibq6

    https://events.humanitix.com/host/love-senior-ep-7-7
    https://gist.github.com/love-senior-ep7/7f9208338bb570ec2afb94562d5efe23
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/faceless-love-ep-13
    https://gamma.app/public/Ep13-13-Full-HD—r7awjm109ijsghl
    https://gist.github.com/faceless-love-ep-13-ep-14/089d30e4556fb03883b66a00855dca14
    https://gist.github.com/faceless-love-ep-13-ep-14/0e4b754fc510f22d596258fbe4726536
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/faceless-love-ep-14-thai
    https://gamma.app/public/EP14-HD-FULLHD—4y04ruj3ru70rpx
    https://events.humanitix.com/host/a-good-day-to-be-a-dog-ep-11-thai
    https://gamma.app/public/A-Good-Day-To-Be-A-Dog-Ep11-11-Full-HD—ocogw7t7hnqowm2


Leave a comment