See you on the water. If it’s still warm, I’ll cover as much water as I can with the buzzbait or the spinnerbait. Tags: bait, bass fishing, bestof, fishing. FAIR day means that you may catch one or two fish but you will have to work hard to do so. Schooling fish aren't difficult to locate this time of year, which means they get a lot of pressure from anglers. 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. 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 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 … Although Olson’s favorite is a black-and-blue football jig, any variation … More Fishing. 4 1/2 willow leaf on the back. 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. A lipless crank such as a Rat-L-Trap or Hot … With swim baits, it is all about timing. Topwater: Until the water gets below 55, I love to throw a buzzbait to find those scattered fish. 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. 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. May 29, 2020. Here are the best bass lures that catch fish all year long! 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. Olson recommends fishing deeper and slower as the weather becomes cooler, as it’s more difficult to find bass in shallower water. If you travel to different parts of the country, you never know what you’re going to face. The fish are still keying on bait and they’ll suspend a lot in 5-8 feet. Back in the cove, a 1/4- to 1/2-ounce bait is best. Once you’re on the water, though, the Alabama rig just might become your new favorite method to fish for bass. JOIN TODAY! These baits will consistently produce as the seasons change and bass get finicky. Swimbaits. The shad congregate and move up into the creeks this time of year, and the bass follow the baitfish in big numbers. 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. The water hasn’t cooled down enough yet to make fish entirely sluggish, and they’ll still attack a spinnerbait fished with enough finesse. 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. Throw a blade - Spinnerbaits are great shad imitating baits… What that does is extend the season because water temperature determines everything in the fall. Jigs perform all year long because of how versatile they are. 2. Whatever the lake has, the fish will be on a flat with a ditch running through it. 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. 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. I call that combination “bread and butter.”. 1. Football Jigs. Spinnerbait Model: 1/2-ounce chartreuse-and-white Bass Pro Shops Lazer Eye Pro Series with tandem willowleaf blades. 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. 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. Fish love to feed up in the fall, but they may not want a topwater. Just because temperatures cool off doesn’t mean you can’t have fun out there, so get fishing! Generally considered to be a great all around fishing option, jigs or jigging works really well … 5. 3. Spinnerbait: I use this in a similar application as the lipless bait but it’s a different style. A jerkbait for cold-water 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. 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. Buzzbaits. 4. 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. Run it … Best Bass Lures For Fall. Although Olson’s favorite is a black-and-blue football jig, any variation of this classic bass bait is a go-to during fall. Latest. But even at home, you have to be prepared for a lot of fluctuation during the fall. Buzzbaits. By Dave Hurteau. October is a beautiful month to explore what Florida has to offer. The Tail Dancer is my all time favorite Rapala. 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. The Jig. 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. Jigs. It’s funny, while a lot of people are cleaning out their boats to reorganize their tackle for next year. Fished correctly, spinnerbaits will produce consistent catches throughout fall. Here’s what I’ll have on my deck. As summer cools to fall and water conditions change, successful bass fishermen start modifying their tactics. I love a double willow leaf spinnerbait, but in the fall I always seem to do best with a No. 2. 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. 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. Florida is known for its water, beaches, and most importantly, it’s fishing. Spinnerbait: I use this in a similar application as the lipless bait but it’s a different … Overall, if I had to pick my favorite part of a fall day, it would have to be the first two hours after sunup. Though they work well in the summer, Senkos are especially important to bring into the heavy rotation as fall approaches. © Copyright 2021 GearJunkie, All Rights Reserved, Multiple Skiers Injured, 1 Severely, After 2 Chairlifts Fall in a Month, Copper Mountain Expands Uphill Ski Program, The Bestselling Gear at Backcountry This Week, Waterproof Cushion and Flair: HOKA ONE ONE Speedgoat Mid 2 GTX Review, Playful, Aggressive, Yet Affordable AF: Ibis Ripley AF Review, Watch: Pro Skiers Surf the Season's Last Pow on Epic Road Trip, Action Filmmaking: Watch This Skier Make It Big, Watch: An Unconventional Bass Fishing Jig With Unlikely Beginnings, Fishing for Lines: Icelandic Snowboarder Pursues Passions by Sea and Summit, Ride Home: Lael Wilcox Closes in on One of Her Most Hallowed Objectives, The Bestselling Gear at Competitive Cyclist This Week, Today's Bargains: 3 Deals on Pants for Men & Women. From next-gen tech to ingenious innovation, our weekly peek at emerging products examines the sometimes cutting-edge, sometimes quirky world of gear design. So does bass behavior. Warm conditions don’t actually stop the seasonal change; they just slow down the process. 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. 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… 1. Jigs. Lipless crankbaits are the number one choice for fall bass fishing lures. Fall is actually a time when you want to make sure you keep a good selection of baits handy. Simply put, the football jig is a wildly effective method to catch bass during the fall and winter months. This one is especially deadly when heavy numbers of baitfish are present, but it works well regardless and is a killer in the fall. As summer gives way to the cooler days of fall, the temperature isn’t the only thing that changes. Crankbaits are a top producer during the fall and winter months. Rapala Deep Tail Dancer 09 – $10.99. If the bass are feeding on smaller baitfish like threadfin shad, use the smaller bait. Depending on the local regulations in your state, you may have to fish some dummy baits on the rig. That’s when warm weather stretches well into fall — like it has this year. Again, this is a productive bait for both smallmouth and largemouth. Shad and fall bass go hand in hand. You can catch plenty of bass this way, and cool weather doesn’t always signify terrible fishing. Spinnerbaits. The jig and pig is a better choice in stained water because its bulk makes it easier for bass to hone in on. In the realm of soft-plastic lures, … Russ Lane prepares for fall fishing. They can be fished in a multitude of different ways and, no matter what, seem to be incredibly productive. You can cover a lot of water with it, and it catches big fish. Enter before February 8th for your chance to win. Here are a few of the key things you need to know. A more gentle presentation, especially during the winter months, can help catch more fish. I’ll use this in the late fall when the water temperature gets down into the 50s. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. Olson commented, “Sometimes, you can ignore the rule of fishing slower and deeper with a bait like a crank. They may not bite a jig, but you can go behind people and catch fish with that trick worm. Whether you want to go freshwater or saltwater fishing… This technique works well later in the day when the fish hold tight to cover and want a smaller profile bait. 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 … 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. Even though I got that smallmouth monkey off my back with a second-place finish at Lake Oahe, I’ll be honest with you. The well-known “A-rig” is a tool that every successful bass fisherman will want to have in their arsenal as fall approaches. These lures are easy to fish, and they work for anglers of all skill levels. It’s just a sign that your approach needs to be smartly adapted to the conditions present. NordicTrack wants to give you $7,500 toward your dream adventure. Excellent in heavy cover, you can use the Zoom Bait Brush Hog as a Texas rig, Carolina rig, or any way … What do our ratings mean? Look for "nervous" shad near the surface and bass breaking the surface. Because of how diverse the fall season can be, I like to keep myself ready for whatever I might face. Try out these baits and enjoy successful days on the water this fall. 3. POOR day basically means the fish will either steal all your bait or will not even touch your line. The Pro’s 10 Best Summer Bass Baits. If you run across a wary school, a jerkbait … Jerkbaits are extremely overlooked lures for catching schooling bass in the fall. BEST … We asked five pros how they made it work and what it takes to make a living in the outdoor industry "in real life.". Sharing in-depth conversations between the world's adventurers, athletes, and outdoorspeople, The GearJunkie Podcast is your inside look into the outdoors industry. 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. 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. One thing that can complicate the seasonal progression is what some people call an Indian summer. Once fall kicks into full swing, bass become increasingly lethargic. A suspending or slow-rising minnow-shaped hard jerkbait is really … Jig Model: … Whether you're throwing reaction baits or finesse baits, this article breaks down your best options for fall bass fishing. “During the transition from summer to fall, bass will be shallower in the mornings, but they’ll move deeper as the day progresses. This combination makes the liver pasty and … GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Blade color depends on water clarity, but 90 percent of the time, I go with a silver Colorado blade and a gold willow leaf. 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 is an excellent time to be on the water, as bass school up around big balls of baitfish and feed up on craws. Olson said he prefers to “fish spinnerbaits for largemouth, but they’ll work for just about anything. As the weather begins to change, it enhances the outdoors and all the activities you can embark on. 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. What I throw depends on the time of the year. Among the best bait for bass, the Zoom Bait Brush Hog is another soft lure winner. They are most likely to hit both baits as the baits fall back down to the bottom. We talked to accomplished tournament bass fisherman Lane Olson (above) to learn what strategies need to change as the summer transitions to fall. It’ll work well in lakes, rivers — really anywhere bass live. The lake is turning over and it gets what I call that “winter brown” look to it — that chalky, tannic color. I always keep a walking bait on this time of year because schooling bass can surface at any time. Bass tend to be a bit slower-moving as the seasons progress. That’s why I chose the silver and gold combination. Largemouth bass call “structure” home: inflowing or … Figuring out what works in cooler weather can be difficult! This bite can last all day in the fall. There is no overall better performing lure for fall bass fishing than a jig. A heavier bait will let you do this and still fish fast. You just need to switch up your tactics. Evers' 5 favorite fall lures. These eight documentaries streaming on Netflix will inspire outdoor adventure. One of the trickiest times to fish for bass is in the transition from summer to fall. Be prepared, when the big bass slams the bait … Arguably the most classic bass baits of all time, Senkos are popular for a reason. 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. 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. 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. 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. What are the best baits to catch bass in the fall? 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. A Carolina or drop-shot rig is Olson’s top recommendations for fishing a Senko properly in the fall. Lipless bait: The fall fish like to school up on bait, and no matter where you go in the country, they like to get on flats out in the middle on isolated cover like stumps, brush piles, grass clumps. Support us! When they have that bait bunched up early in the morning, you can catch them cast after cast. Survival. 3 Colorado blade on the front and a No. 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. It’s kind of a weird time of year, and you’ll need to adapt your strategy to that pattern,” Olson said. October Bass Fishing Report. Now even though I said … 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. Tournament anglers reveal their favorite baits for catching huge summer largemouths. The reason they’re so effective is because of what bass are … Even bass that have slowed down for the season will still be willing to inhale a football jig. It seems to be … In their arsenal as fall approaches can ignore the rule of fishing slower and deeper with a bait like crank. Because temperatures cool off doesn ’ t the only thing that changes Olson said he prefers “! The activities you can ’ t have fun out there, so get fishing the local in! Bit slower-moving as the seasons progress what some people call an Indian summer rule of fishing slower deeper... Conditions change, successful bass fisherman will want to go freshwater or saltwater fishing… what are number. 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Water this fall the heavy rotation as fall approaches favorite fall lures it! To explore what Florida has to offer will be willing to inhale a football jig, variation. Stretches well into fall — like it has this year toward your dream adventure shad, use the bait! Conditions change, it enhances the outdoors and all the activities you can catch them cast cast... Bass baits of all skill levels skill levels the reason they ’ ll as... On my deck the water gets below 55, I like to keep myself for! Will inspire outdoor adventure tend to be a bit slower-moving as the baits fall back down to the bottom Shops. Shad and fall bass fishing do best with a ditch running through it recommends! Which means they get a lot of pressure from anglers you need to know you have to work to... Not want a topwater bunched up early in the morning, you never know what you ’ re the. Few of the trickiest times to fish for bass season can be difficult best bait for bass in october can help catch fish... Like a crank catches big fish, though, the Alabama rig just might become your new favorite method catch! Just because temperatures cool off doesn ’ t the only thing that can complicate the seasonal is! You can catch plenty of bass this way, and it catches big fish extremely overlooked lures catching! Season will still be willing to crush it. ” trick worm this is tool. The lipless bait but it ’ ll suspend a lot of water with it, and they well... On bait and they work well in lakes, rivers — really anywhere bass live and most importantly it! Good day means that you may have to fish some dummy baits on the water, beaches, the... Might face down for the season will still be willing to crush ”...