Fishing Jigs for Fall to Winter Transition Bass

As fall fades into winter, bass feeding patterns change drastically. The forage bounty of spring and summer dwindles, sending bass into a more lethargic, opportunistic feeding mode. 

This transition can frustrate anglers counting on reaction bites, but offers opportunity for anglers willing to slow down and finesse cold water bass into biting. One of the most effective ways to tempt a tough transitional bass is with a finesse jig paired with a soft plastic trailer.

Downsize Your Jig

The keys to any finesse presentation are lightweight and slow. As bass metabolism slows in the cooling water temperatures of fall sliding towards winter, bulky moving baits become less appealing. Scale back your jig size to 3/16 or even 3/8 ounce models, which allow for an ultra-slow falling rate to mimic dying baitfish. Light to heavy wire hooks also increase hooks ups on sluggish, chilled biters.

Match Your Trailer

Pair your jig with an equally diminutive soft plastic trailer, like a 2-3 inch straight tail, craw, or mini creature plastic bait. Keep your color selections natural, matching native forage colors like greens, browns, and blacks.

Slow Your Retrieve

With your downsized jig rigged, focus on high-percentage areas like steep drops, creek channel bends, stump flats, or any cover positioned near deep water drops. Make long casts and allow your jig to sink slowly, sometimes subtly shaking your rod tip to impart only the faintest movement. Bass will softly inhale the jig, so be ready to set the hook when feeling even the slightest of bites.

Make Multiple Casts to Cover

Cold water bass are often reluctant chase down a bait no matter how slow it's moving. Be sure to make multiple casts to cover at varying angles to have the best chance of enticing bites from these sluggish bass.

Take few moments and watch as the folks from Lurenet provide a short demo video with several tips on jig fishing for fall to winter transition bass...

Top Lures for Winter Bass Fishing

Winter is often considered the off-season for bass fishing, but with the right approach and lures, you can still catch fish even when the bass feel like chunks of ice. 

Bass metabolism slows down in cold water, so they tend to be less active, feed less and move to deeper water. This means that you need to use lures and presentations to entice them into biting.

Here are some of the top lures for catching bass during the winter:

1. Hair Jigs: Hair jigs are a versatile and effective lure for winter bass fishing. They may or may not be tipped with a soft plastic trailer, particularly scented minnow imitations. The hair jig's slow fall and subtle movement are often irresistible to cold-water bass.

2. Blade Baits: Blade baits are a type of metal lure that resembles a thin, flat fish with two treble hooks on the bottom. They are typically made of steel, brass, or other metals and come in a variety of sizes and colors. When jigged or retrieved through the water, the blade creates a unique vibration that mimics the movements of injured baitfish attracting the attention of cold water bass.

3. Underspin Jigs: Underspins are a type of fishing lure that consists of a jig head and minnow-style trailer with a small blade attached underneath. The blade spins as the lure is retrieved, creating a flash that attracts fish. Underspins are especially effective for catching bass in cold water, since they can be fished slowly and still produce a lot of strike-triggering action.

4. Suspending Jerkbaits: Suspending jerkbaits are a good choice for winter bass fishing. They are minnow-shaped baits that can be fished at a slow speed with frequent pauses, which is what you need to trigger reactions in cold water.

5. Ned Rigs: Ned rigs are a popular finesse technique for catching bass, and they work well in the winter as well. They consist of a small jig head and a small soft plastic bait, such as a Z-Man TRD or Finesse Hula Stick. The Ned rig fished slowly and with a subtle shake can be deadly for enticing winter bass into striking.

Bass pro Brandon Cobb spends much of the winter period chasing largemouth and spotted bass on reservoirs across the southern U.S. Take a few minutes and watch as he highlights his favorite baits when trying to trick sluggish, winter bass tnto eating his bait...

Fishing Effectively in Standing Timber

Standing timber offers excellent habitat for bass, providing shade, cover, and ambush points for these popular gamefish. Fishing in and around standing timber can be challenging however, if you don't know the tips and tricks to locate where bass are hiding. 

Follow these tips to fish standing timber effectively and catch more bass:

Locating the Sweet Spots:

Before casting your line, take the time to identify key areas within the standing timber. Look for submerged points, pockets, creek channels or any irregularities that could serve as ambush points for bass. Use your eyes and electronics to locate underwater structures and potential hiding spots, as bass are known to lurk in the shadows to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Choose the Right Baits:

Given the intricate structure of standing timber, it's crucial to select baits that can navigate through the branches without constant snagging. Weedless soft plastics, such as creature baits, senkos, or crawfish imitations, are excellent choices. Additionally, jigs, spinnerbaits and crankbaits can be effective in enticing bass hiding within the timber.

Work the Perimeter:

Start by targeting the outer edges of the standing timber, casting parallel to the structure. Bass often patrol these areas, using them as travel routes and ambush points. Retrieve your bait slowly and deliberately, allowing it to mimic local forage and be prepared for a sudden strike as the lure deflects off the wood as it passes by.

Probe the Depths:

Experiment with different depths within the standing timber. When possible, use your depth finder to locate the fish and adjust your presentation accordingly. Bass may suspend at different depths depending on the water temperature and time of day, so varying your bait's depth can increase your chances of triggering more strikes from bass lurking in the depths.

Precision Casting:

Develop your casting accuracy to navigate through the tight spaces of the timber. Practice pitching and flipping techniques to place your bait precisely where it needs to be. A pinpoint cast into a small opening or next to a submerged branch can trigger a reaction strike from opportunistic bass.

Bump the Stump:

More often than not, bass in standing timber are in a neutral to negative mood and not actively feeding. When bass are not actively feeding, work your bait methodically, "bumpig the stump" as much as possible to help trigger more reaction strikes from passive fish.

Safety First:

Always prioritize safety when fishing in standing timber. Watch out for underwater obstructions, and navigate cautiously to avoid accidents. Wear polarized sunglasses to help you see submerged structures and potential hazards more clearly.

Bridgford Foods pro Matt Stefan has spent numerous hours breaking down acres of standing timber on water bodies across the U.S. Take a few minutes and watch as Matt describes the process he uses for identifying the best areas to target when fishing large flats chock full of standing timber...

Mastering the tricks of bass fishing in standing timber can be incredibly rewarding. By honing your skills, choosing the right baits, and understanding the habits of bass in this unique environment, you'll increase your chances of landing more and bigger fish each time you fish in timber stands.

The Berkley Fishing Color Board

Pretty cool video showing how the color of different plastic works change with depth in an ultra-clear lake (Lake Mohave, AZ) via an experiment done by pro angler Gary Klein. 

The video is shared from his Facebook page...

Definitely gives you something to think about...

Can You Change Hooks on Hollow Belly Frogs?

Can you change out the hooks in your favorite hollow belly frog?

Absolutely and here are a few reasons why you might want to change the hooks on your favorite frog:

• To improve hookup ratio. Hollow belly frogs are often used in heavy cover, where bass can easily short strike the bait. By changing to a sharper or more gapped hook, you can increase your chances of setting the hook and landing the fish. 
• To change the size or style of the hook. The stock hooks on hollow belly frogs are often sized for medium-sized bass. If you're targeting larger bass, you may want to upsize the hook to a heavier gauge or a larger size. You may also want to change to a different quality of hook.
• To replace a damaged hook. If the stock hook on your hollow belly frog is dull, bent or rusty, it's important to replace it before using the bait again. A damaged hook can reduce your hookup ratio and make it more difficult to land fish.

Want to learn more?

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from InFisherman discuss the reasons for changing out frog hooks and show you how easy it can be...

Need to grab some hooks to modify or rehab yout frogs? 

Check out the wide variety of hooks and bait rehab gear available at Lure Parts Online by clicking on the following image!

Fishing for Bass from Shore in Winter

When the water temperatures drop in winter, bass become less active and more lethargic. This makes bass a little harder to catch from shore at this time of year. 

Targeting the right cover and structure however, can help you find and catch more bass during the colder months as long as there is open water available in your area. 

Here are some of the best types of cover and structure to focus on when winter bank fishing for bass:

Wood Near the Bank - Submerged trees, stumps, branches, and laydowns provide excellent winter habitat for bass. The wood absorbs heat from the sunlight during the day, which attracts baitfish. This naturally draws in bass looking for an easy meal. Focus on fishing around wood cover in warmer, sunny areas of the lake.

Docks - Docks provide shade and protection for bass in winter. Look for docks in deeper water, as bass will move a little deeper when the water gets colder. Pitch jigs, creature baits, and grubs around and under the docks. The pilings and posts also serve as ambush points for bass.

Rocky Banks - Rocky banks and riprap absorb heat and provide hiding spots for bass. Target any rocks, boulders, and rubble along banks with crankbaits, spinnerbaits and rattling lipless crankbaits that imitate crawfish. The bass will tuck in tight to structure to stay warm.

Points - Points and tapering ledges are bass magnets year-round. In winter, focus on inside turns or points that are wind-blown. The wave action churns up the warmer water and micro-organisms from below, attracting baitfish and bass. Fish the points thoroughly with crankbaits, blade baits, drop shots and jigs.

Weed Edges - Even in winter, some weeds will remain. Look for edges of weeds or plants left over from warmer months. Bass will gravitate to the remaining vegetation for cover. Working jigs, lipless crankbaits and soft plastics along the weed lines can pay off. Slow rolling spinnerbaits around weed patches can also trigger strikes.

Take a few minutes and watch as the guys from Tactical Bassin' provide some great "on the water" insight in identifying winter bank fishing locations...

Targeting productive winter bass cover and structure from shore simply requires patience. Move slowly, make repeated casts, and cover water until you locate where the bass are hunkering down during the colder months. 

Though there will be days when the skunk wins out, you can find and catch bass even when fishing from shore in winter. Beats just sitting around on the sofa or playing with your tackle collection in my book!

The Spinnerbait: A Bass Angler's Multi-Tool?

As an avid bass fisherman, I'm always looking for lures that can handle a variety of situations and catch fish under diverse conditions. That's why the spinnerbait is one of my absolute favorite baits to tie on when chasing both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The versatility of a spinnerbait makes it one of the most valuable tools that should be in all bass angler's tackle box.

A spinnerbait is essentially a safety-pin shaped wire frame with a lead head, dressed hook, and spinning blade or blades. This simple but effective bait can be retrieved steadily, fished with a stop and go retrieve, ripped through vegetation, slow rolled,  fluttered or bounced along the bottom. And it will catch bass relating to cover, suspended in open water, cruising the shallows, or holding tight to cover/structure.

One of the best things about spinnerbaits is that they can be fished at just about any depth. Want to burn a spinnerbait high in the water column? Go for it. Need to bump a bait along rocky bottom? The spinnerbait has you covered. Even working a spinnerbait through thick grass or wood is no problem with the right blade configuration and retrieve.

Of course, choosing the right spinnerbait for the job is important for success. Colorado, Indiana and willow leaf blades are the most common blade types and each one have different flash/vibration profiles when being retrieved. Double willow leaf spinnerbaits have an incredibly fast thumping motion with lots of flash that mimics shad, while big Colorado blades produce maximum vibration. And spinnerbaits can be purchased in a rainbow of colors to match any water clarity conditions or selected to "match the hatch" when bass a being picky and feeding on certain types of forage.

Light wire models are perfect for clear water finesse situations, while heavy wire 1oz+ spinnerbaits let you bulldoze through the nastiest cover as well as probe the depths for bass relating to structure. I make sure to carry a variety of blade configurations, wire frame types (standard, compact, finesse, etc.) and weights in my tackle box to adapt to changing conditions on the water.

Though often thought of as a soft plastics expert, bass pro Larry Nixon has leaned on the effectiveness of the spinnerbait to hone his success while out on tour. Take a few moments and listen as he shares his views on how the versatility of the spinnerbait has helped him win some of the biggest events of his career...

The next time you hit the water for some heart-pounding topwater blows or find the bass tucked up in vegetation, tie on a spinnerbait. The ability to quickly change things up by modifying your retrieve and spinnerbait type is the key to maximizing your efficiency while out on the water. This do-it-all bass catcher should be a go-to in every angler's tool kit!

The Floating Drop Shot: A Unique Rigging Option

The drop shot rig is a versatile and effective finesse fishing technique that is particularly well-suited for catching bass in a variety of situations. 

The basic setup consists of a main line, a leader, a drop shot weight, and a hook. The leader is tied to the main line, and the drop shot weight is attached to the leader a few feet below the hook. The hook is baited with a soft plastic bait, such as a worm or a minnow.

Traditional drop shot rigs, while effective in many situations, have some drawbacks that anglers should be aware of.

Potential for line twist and tangles: The drop shot rig can be prone to Line twist/tangles, especially if the line is not properly spooled or if the bait is not rigged properly. This can be a major frustration when fishing, and it can often lead to lost bait, fish and time.

Prone to line breaks at hook: Due to the content tension fron the fish and weight, the is a fairly high potential for the line to break at the hook knot when fighting fish.

Time-consuming setup: Drop shot rigs can be time-consuming to set up, especially for anglers who are not familiar with the technique (think about the previous point).

As luck would have it however, there's at least one drop shot rigging option that not only simplifies the preparation but also enables the bait to be presented in a unique way most bass have likely not seen.

Enter the floating drop shot rig!

As a follow-up to his introduction to the reverse wacky rig, bass pro Matt Stefan lets the "cat out of the bag" in the following video where he discusses setup and advantages of the floating drop shot rig. Enjoy!

The Reverse Wacky Rig: A Unique Way to Catch Bass

The wacky rig is a popular bass fishing technique that involves rigging a soft plastic worm with the hook point inserted into the middle of the bait. This creates an erratic, darting action that is irresistible to bass. 

However, the wacky rig can be difficult to fish in deeper water and is a popular rig bass are exposed to on almost a daily basis. So is there a way to change up the standard wacky rig and address these issues? Absolutely, enter the reverse wacky rig.

What is the Reverse Wacky Rig?

The reverse wacky rig is a variation of the wacky rig that allows you to fish a soft plastic worm deeper in the water column using a unique presentation bass likely have not seen. To rig a reverse wacky rig, you will need a highly buoyant soft plastic worm, a light wire hook, and a small weight.

How to Rig a Reverse Wacky Rig

• Thread a closed-eye, drop shot styles weight onto your line.
• Tie a light wire hook onto the end of your line.
• Insert the hook point into the middle of the soft plastic worm.

How to Fish a Reverse Wacky Rig

• Cast your bait into the water around cruising bass or submerged cover.
• Allow the bait to sink to the bottom.
• Twitch the bait by adding and releasing tension to the line pulling the worm down to the weight and then float back toward the surface.
• Work your bait slowly by the bass or cover.

Tips for Fishing a Reverse Wacky Rig

• Use a highly buoyant soft plastic worm that is designed for the wacky rig.
• Use a light wire hook so that the worm will readily float when line tension is released.
• Use a small weight when possible so that the bait will not sink too quickly.
• Twitch the bait erratically to increase action.
• Reel in your bait slowly so that the bass has time to strike.

Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro Matt Stefan discusses the conditions he uses the reverse wacky rig as well as his approach to rigging and the gear he uses in the following video…

Beyond using the reversed wacky rig as a sight fiishing tool, it interests me even more as a wacky rig option when fishing heavily pressured waters. I believe that when lurking bass see the bait slowly rise to the surface with an undulating motion will trigger more strikes from fish wary of typical falling wacky presentation.

Fishing for Bass from Shore in November

November marks the end of the open water fishing season in many parts of the northern U.S. As water temperatures drop into the 40s and 50s, bass become less active and head for deeper water. 

While bass fishing gets tougher this time of year, you can still catch fish from shore if you adjust your techniques. 

Follow these tips to improve your chances of hooking up with fall bass from the bank:

Slow Down Your Presentation

When water temps are cold, bass metabolism and activity levels decline. They are not going to chase fast-moving lures. Slow down your retrieves and allow baits like soft stickbaits, lipless crankbaits, jerbaits, and spinnerbaits time to get in front of lethargic fish. Use occasional pauses and twitches to trigger sluggish bass into striking.

Downsize Your Offerings

Big baits tend to work better when bass are actively feeding. In November, you’ll often catch more bass on smaller presentations that require less energy to inhale. Good options include 2-3 inch curl tail grubs on 1/16 or 1/8 ounce jig heads, finesse worms rigged wacky style, underspins, and finesse presentations like the Ned Rig. Stay away from large spinnerbaits and big swimbaits unless larger baitfish are the primary forage in your local waters.

Fish Slow-Tapering Points

Look for long, gradually sloping points that extend into deeper water. Use castable sonar pods (if you own one) and/or contour maps to find areas that drop into 10+ feet of water near the bank. Bass will move shallow early and late in the day to feed up on baitfish using these steeper transition features. Position yourself for casts that run parallel to the slope.

Target Areas with Darker Bottoms

In cooling water, you want to find the warmest, and likely most productive areas. Darker bottom types like mud, darker rocks and sand soak up more solar radiation and warm faster than lighter colored bottoms. Focus your effort fishing from shorelines with these bottom compositions. The warmer water draws baitfish and therefore oredators like bass to feed on them.

Fish On Sunny, Warmer Days

Cold fronts really shut down shoreline bites in November. Target fishing on warmer, sunny days in the 50+ degree range when possible. The sun helps warm shallows drawing more baitfish and bass tend to be more active. Overcast, windy, rainy days make fishing tough. Watch the weather and try hitting the water on the best weather days.

Try Live Bait

Sometimes finicky fall bass want the real rather than artificial baits. Live bait like minnows, shiners, crawfish, and leeches can entice big bites when the fishing is slow. Hook minnows through the lips on #6 hooks and fish under a float or add a few split shots to your line slowly work them along the bottom. Pitch craws and leeches into productive areas and let them sit to draw the attention of cruising bass.

Think Simple

Now is not the time to break out complicated techniques and presentations meant for more aggressive fish. Stick to simple offerings like jigs, Texas rigs, jerkbaits, lipless crankbaits, and paddletail swimbaits and make repeated casts to productive areas. Keep moving until you locate actively feeding fish. A combination of patience and persistence will help you locate, trigger and catch more bass during the last weeks of the open water in your area.

Following these tips will help you find and catch more bass in November, even when fishing from shore. Finding the right location and using the right bait and presentation, more bass including a few big bass can still be caught during the fall to winter transitional period. Do your homework, dress for the elements, and you can extend the open water fishing season well into late fall.

Best Bass Lures for Fishing the Mid Fall

November is a great mid fall month for bass fishing across the U.S. since the fish are starting to fatten up for winter. Keep in mind, however, mid fall brings colder water temperatures making bass more lethargic, so it's important to choose the right lures and presentations for the greatest success.

Strike King bass pro Steve Rogers loves fishing for fall bass and has some interesting thoughts on the best baits to use for the best results. Take a few minutes and watch as Steve describes the baits and the reasons behind his selections:

In addition to the baits Steve mentions, I have three additional lures at the ready when fishing the mid fall period:

1. A finesse sized suspending jerkbait typically in a perch or shiner pattern to mimic local forage;
2. A 4" soft stickbait in a pattern suitable for the water color in the body of water being fished; &
3. A compact or finesse style spinnerbait usually in color patterns similat to the jerkbait.

Each of these have been proven bass catchers as the mid fall water temps slide from the low 50s and into the mid to upper 40s in my local waters here in the northeastern U.S.