How to fish the bass in The Fall - What is the best baits -
- Key Features of Fall Bass Fishing
- Fall Bass Locations
- Tackling Turnover
1. Key Features of Fall Bass Fishing
Summer is a season of low bass activity due to excessively high-water temperatures, forcing them to take cover in areas with lower temperatures.
As the season progresses into fall, air and water temperatures gradually decrease. The cooler water holds more dissolved oxygen, allowing bass that were confined to specific locations with higher oxygen levels during the summer to become more active and disperse over a wider area. As a result, anglers often employ moving baits to cover larger areas.
To locate the scattered bass, the key is to find their baitfish. In other words, by identifying the whereabouts of the baitfish that bass prey upon, the chances of encountering bass increase. The type of baitfish varies depending on the fishing field, but targeting their current prey's location will likely lead to success, as bass will be waiting nearby for a bite or actively patrolling the area. It's crucial to understand the specific situation of each fishing field, as the bass' primary prey during this season may vary from shad to bluegill or crustaceans.
2. Fall Bass Locations
Let's consider how to catch the dispersed bass by dividing the fall into three periods: late summer to early fall, mid-fall, and late fall.
- (1) Fall Bass Locations - Late Summer to Early Fall
- (2) Fall Bass Locations - Mid-Fall
- (3) Fall Bass Locations - Late Fall
(1) Fall Bass Locations - Late Summer to Early Fall
As the heat subsides, bass become more energetic. With increased oxygen levels in the water, they scatter, making it effective to attract them aggressively with moving baits.
- Shallow Cover Edges
Although some bass may still cling tightly to cover even after the peak of summer heat, the difference lies in their line of sight. In summer, bass often focus on the deeper, shore-side areas of cover, requiring finesse techniques to entice them with soft-plastics. However, in fall, bass start to pay attention to baitfish outside the cover, shifting their focus towards the offshore side. Consequently, using soft-plastics to target specific spots becomes less efficient. Instead, run your lures along the edges of cover to draw the bass out.
The JACKALL Bounty Fish is a soft-jointed bait known for its ease of skipping and snag-resistant performance along cover edges. Employ a dog-walk retrieve along the cover to mimic the movement of roaming baitfish and attract bass.
- Surface
In areas without wind, small baitfish are more likely to rise near the surface, so work your lures in the top water column. As the water temperature drops and both baitfish and bass disperse, any spot where baitfish might congregate, such as bridge pilings, standing timber (vertical structures), and floating buoys, becomes a potential target. The MEGABASS Jamraka Boa, a buzzbait with significant water displacement, can draw in bass from a wide area. When retrieved, the metal blade attached to the wire collides with the propeller, producing a metallic sound that further piques the bass' interest.
If the water is deep enough, consider using a popper with stronger drawing power, such as the MEGABASS POP MAX, to bring bass to the surface. This popper features a built-in rattle, making it relatively loud and capable of attracting attention over a wide area.
- Mid-depth
If no baitfish are visible on the surface or bass aren't rising to topwater lures, they may have descended to the mid-depth or lower. In this case, use moving baits to trace different ranges.
Rather than aimlessly retrieving in the middle layer, focus on areas where bass are more likely to be, such as along drop-off or near submerged structures. If retrieving yields no results, the bass may not be present, so avoid lingering in one spot. Instead, move to the next promising location or change the depth range you are tracing.
Useful moving baits for this purpose include crankbaits, lipless-crankbaits, bladed-swim-jigs, and spinnerbaits.
Crankbaits
The crankbait is a fundamental moving bait. It allows anglers to maintain a consistent target depth, making it easy to visualize the underwater situation. The MEGABASS Deep-X series is a versatile option for basic tracing.
Lipless Crankbaits
Lipless crankbaits are indispensable in fall. They cast well and can attract scattered bass with a fast retrieve and subtle vibrations. Compared to crankbaits, lipless crankbaits can be retrieved faster, enabling a more rapid fishing approach and stimulating bass' interest with speed. Additionally, their reduced buoyancy upon contact with obstacles makes them suitable for thorough searches.
The JACKALL TN series offers a wide variety of sizes, colors, and material options, allowing anglers to adapt to different situations. The slightly forward-leaning posture of these baits also helps minimize the risk of snagging, a common concern with lipless crankbaits.
The MEGABASS Vibration-X series features a flat head design that produces a strong wobbling & rolling action to entice bass. These lures maintain excellent depth-keeping ability and can be used at various speeds, from slow to fast.
Spinnerbaits
Spinnerbaits, known for their wide-ranging appeal thanks to their blades, are another essential moving bait. By adjusting the weight, anglers can target depths ranging from shallow to deep, and the lures' snag-resistant design makes them beginner-friendly.
The MEGABASS SV-3 maintains a stable swimming posture even at high speeds, and its thicker wire arm can withstand aggressive contact with obstacles.
For situations that call for a slower presentation and more enticing power than strong attraction, consider the IMAKATSU Zinx Mini.
Bladed Swim Jigs
If the attracting power of spinnerbaits feels insufficient, bladed swim jigs can be effective. While not reaching the surface, they excel at triggering bites through their strong appeal. For a straight-swimming option, try the JACKALL Super Break Blade 3/8oz. Its ultra-thin blade creates a tight-pitched action, ensuring the lure traces the intended course precisely.
For an erratic presentation, opt for the IMAKATSU MOGULLA MOTH Chatter Monster 3/8oz. With a simple straight retrieve, this lure exhibits a fluttering, off-track motion that can elicit reaction strikes from bass.
(2) Fall Bass Locations - Mid-Fall
As the water temperature drops, bass disappear from shallow areas, and increased water clarity makes it harder to catch them by simply retrieving bait that has strong drawing power at a distance.
Focus on areas adjacent to deep water or submerged rocks where bass are likely to be found. Retrieve your lure while occasionally imparting rod technique when the lip contacts hard bottom to trigger a reaction.
- Riprap
Rocky areas, such as riprap extending below the break, often serve as bass feeding points. Begin by retrieving crankbaits over the rocks to catch any bass suspending above. The key lies in selecting the appropriate crankbait based on its behavior upon contacting obstacles. For example, decide whether to use a lure like the Griffon, which exhibits a vigorous rebound when it hits an obstacle to induce reaction strikes, or the SUPER-Z series, which maintains its balance and entices bass clinging tightly to the rocks.
If you suspect bass have nestled into the crevices of the rocks, try dragging a Texas rig to probe the contours at a quick pace. These areas often harbor crustaceans, so the NORIES Escape Twin, which can imitate both crustaceans and small fish, is a suitable choice.
As the water temperature drops further and more bass remain stationary within the rock crevices, even dragging a Texas rig may fail to elicit a response. When bass become accustomed to anglers dragging Texas rigs, they may refuse to bite altogether. In such situations, try directly dropping a heavy neko-rig into the holes and entice the bass by letting it hover. Use a heavier weight to ensure the rig falls smoothly into the hole, and manipulate the rod to suspend the lure in the middle layer. The IMAKATSU Wriggler, a soft-plastic designed specifically for neko-rigs, is recommended.
- Other Areas Adjacent to Deep Water
As fall progresses, water clarity often improves. In such conditions, the risk of bass spotting and avoiding your lure increases. To counter this, try retrieving minnow or small crankbait that closely resemble natural prey.
Since it's a season when bass are eager to feed, begin with a simple straight retrieve to locate bass that are willing to chase. Only resort to adding rod action if the straight retrieve fails to generate interest.
The MEGABASS Oneten series is a classic choice for jerkbaits. Start with the Oneten-R, which excels at straight retrieves. If unresponsive, switch to the original Oneten and incorporate sharp darting actions for tricky. The Oneten+1 allows you to reach greater depths, while the Oneten-LBO offers increased casting distance. By systematically utilizing the various models within the Oneten series, anglers can adapt to a wide range of situations.
If the baitfish size has increased and the Oneten feels too small, consider using the JACKALL Rerange 130SP, a larger jerkbaits.
(3) Fall Bass Locations - Late Fall
As winter approaches and the water temperature drop below 68°F (20°C), bass may have already descended to deeper areas. Although not as finicky as in the dead of winter, a delicate approach is not yet necessary.
Employ techniques like trolling to ensure your crankbaits reach the desired depths. When trolling, the choice of fishing line is crucial. Generally, braided lines are preferred. The thinner the line, the deeper you can make your lure dive. Braided lines offer superior tensile strength compared to other types of fishing lines, allowing for a balance between thinness and durability. The IMAKATSU IK-800 R2 deep-diving crankbait can reach depths of up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) when cast and 26 feet (8 meters) when trolled.
3. Tackling Turnover
While the previous sections discussed fishing under general conditions, "turnover" is a phenomenon that cannot be ignored in fall fishing. Turnover can lead to extremely challenging fishing conditions, so the following paragraphs will explain its characteristics.
What is Turnover?
Turnover refers to the phenomenon where the cooled surface water sinks, spreading the poor-quality bottom water containing dead plankton and other debris throughout the entire area. It commonly occurs in fall when the temperature difference between air and water is most pronounced, especially during cold mornings and evenings.
Characteristic signs of turnover include persistent bubbles on the water surface, fine debris floating on the surface, increased turbidity, or a foul, sewage-like odor. If you encounter such conditions, it's likely that turnover is occurring, and bass may have vacated the area. In this case, the quickest solution is to move to a different spot.
Areas less affected by turnover include those with active water movement, shallow areas where bottom water is less likely to intrude, and regions protected by vegetation or weeds. Furthermore, spots unaffected by turnover often attract bass prey, so it's important to identify the types of organisms present in these locations.
Although turnover can also occur in early spring, the temperature difference between air and water is more pronounced in fall, with the water being warmer. This more significant temperature gradient leads to a higher likelihood of large-scale turnover events in autumn. As a result, anglers must always be mindful of the possibility of turnover when fishing during this season.
For more detailed information on how to successfully fish during turnover, please refer to the following article.