Where to Find Fall Smallmouth vs. Largemouth Bass

As autumn arrives, the cooling water temperatures trigger bass to become more active as they bulk up for winter. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass can be found together in many lakes and reservoirs but they tend to frequent different locations and structure types during the fall season. 

Smallmouth bass become even more oriented to rocky and gravelly areas as the water cools. Focus your efforts on riprap banks, submerged boulders, rock piles, and gravel points near a drop off into deeper water. Smallies will hold tight to the rocks and ambush baitfish that swim by. Dragging jigs, spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and underspins along the bottom around rock structure is a dynamite way to target fall smallmouths.

Meanwhile, largemouth bass head towards wood cover and vegetation as the water temperatures decline. Target weedlines, laydowns, docks, brush piles, and submerged timber near drop-offs. Slow rolling spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged soft plastics through and around the cover is a prime tactic for fall largemouths. They'll be looking for one last big meal before winter arrives. 

Take a few minutes and watch as Al and James Lindner give there thoughts on the types of cover and structure preferred by largemouths and smallmouths during the fall period...