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:
A finesse sized suspending jerkbait typically in a perch or shiner pattern to mimic local forage;
A 4" soft stickbait in a pattern suitable for the water color in the body of water being fished; &
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.
Blade baits are excellent lures to use when targeting bass that are actively feeding in the fall to fatten up before winter. Their flashy, vibrating action mimics wounded baitfish athat helps trigger reaction strikes from bass holding on deeper water cover.
Focus on fishing blade baits around areas of transition - places where shallow flats quickly drop into deeper water. Target main lake points, submerged islands, and creek channel edges near shallow spawning areas. The bass will cruise these transition zones looking for easy meals as baitfish migrate to their deep wintering holes.
When fishing a blade bait, use a stop-and-go retrieve. Allow the lure to flutter down to the depth you want to target, then rip it back up with a few sharp twitches of the rod before letting it flutter back down again. Keep your rod tip high to maintain contact with the bait. Strikes will be very subtle, so watch your line for any hesitation or ticks.
Equip yourself with a sensitive, medium power, fast action 6.5 to 7 foot rod and a low profile reel loaded with 10-15lb fluorocarbon line. This will allow you to work the lure effectively and detect light bites.
Take a few minutes and watch as bass pro Destin Marion describes a couple modifications he makes to his favorite blade bait to trigger more strikes and keep the bass hooked when they do...
Break out the blade baits this fall and enjoy some heart stopping strikes from fall feeding bass.
As the leaves start to change color and the air turns crisp, it's time to break out the wake baits for some exciting fall bass fishing. Wake baits are excellent lures to use when bass are in a transitional feeding mode, not quite committing to topwaters but still feeding for winter.
Here are some tips for fishing wake baits in the fall:
- Choose wake baits in shad or baitfish patterns like silver/black, bone, perch or black/chartreuse. Select a pattern that matches the hatch with the forage species in your lake. Go with a smaller profile wake bait in the 2-3 inch size as the water continues to cool.
- Work wake baits over points, humps, grassy flats, and rocky banks; basically anywhere baitfish visit and get ambushed by hungry bass. Focus on wind-blown shorelines first since wind pushes plankton, baitfish follow and the bass do as well.
- Vary your retrieve speed to trigger reaction strikes. Sometimes a slow steady retrieve is best, other times working the wake bait quickly will get bit. Also try stopping it abruptly and letting the bait suspend motionless for a time and then continue the retrieve.
- Try different rod angles on the retrieve. Holding the rod tip up makes the wake bait sputter side to side enticingly. Lowering the rod tip helps give it a tighter wobble.
- Stay alert on the hookset. Bass will often swirl on a wake bait then actually eat it seconds later. Don't set too early so not to pull the bait away from them before they fully commit.
Wake baits are one of bass pro Edwin Ever's favorite fall lures, especially when bass are chasing baitfish such as shad. Take a few moments and watch as EE provides some great on the water insight and tips on his approach to using wake baits in the fall...
Wake baits can be a go-to lure for fall bass, especially when the bass are reluctant to eat a topwater bait. Follow these tips and you'll get exciting near-surface strikes when other anglers struggle to get bit on traditional topwaters.
Fall bass fishing from the shore presents a rewarding challenge that can yield some of the most memorable catches of the year. As the bass shift their behavior in response to the changing seasons, the right choice of lures becomes crucial.
Here are several suggestions about the top lures that should help entice those elusive fall bass into striking:
Spinnerbaits & Chatterbaits: Both chatterbaits and spinnerbaits are versatile and can be effectively used to cover large areas of water. With their flashy blades, varying types of vibration and lifelike skirts, these lures create an underwater presence that grab the attention of bass even in fairly murky fall waters. Slow-roll or bottom bounce the both baits near rocky structures, fallen trees, or drop-offs where bass tend to congregate during the fall as they feed up for winter.
Topwater Lures: While the water temperatures gradually drop, there are still moments when bait-chasing bass are willing to strike at the water's surface. Keep a topwater lure like a plopper, buzzbait, popper or a walking bait rigged and ready for some explosive fall bass action. During overcast days or under low-light conditions, try tempting bass near the shorelines or around visible cover by working them with a variety of topwaters and increase your fall bank fishing success.
Soft Plastics: Soft plastic lures offer a wide array of options for fall bass fishing from the shore. Texas-rigged worms/soft stickbaits, creature baits, and swimbaits can all prove highly effective depending on bass cover and forage present. As the bass' feeding habits shift, these lures provide a lifelike presentation that can't be ignored. Experiment with different retrieves, speeds, and colors to match the changing preferences of the bass.
Jigs:Jigs are a go-to bait for targeting bass year-round, but they tend to excel in the fall. Choose a football jig or a finesse jig paired with a soft plastic trailer that mimics crawfish or other bottom-dwelling prey. Slowly crawl the jig along the bottom, imitating a natural movement that bass find hard to resist.
Crankbaits: Crankbaits are another go-to option when fishing for fall bass from the shore. As water temperatures drop, bass become more aggressive and eager to chase down baitfish like shad, perch and alewives. Shallow to medium-diving or lipless crankbaits imitate fleeing baitfish, making them effective for covering a wide range of water depths. Choose colors that resemble the local baitfish and adjust your retrieval speed to find the sweet spot that attracts bass.
The five bass lure types listed above are great baits from the bank for catching fall bass, but take a few minutes and watch as one of the guys from W2F provides even more insight into fall bank fishing:
Remember to adapt your approach based on the specific waterbody you're fishing, local forage, and the prevailing weather. With the right lures and techniques, you'll increase your chances of experiencing the thrill of a fall bass striking your line from the shore.
