FALL BASS FISHING – THE SECRET SEASON

NOVEMBER 2020

While many anglers put their fishing gear way as Winter approaches, the Fall is the best time of year for overall fishing success.  Anglers in the surf discuss the “Fall Run”, fishing blitzes and how the fishing is spectacular at this time of year.  Here is our article on finding the birds for fishing action. 

The same great action is true for Fall bass fishing in lakes.   While many anglers view bass as a warm water fish, they are very active as the water cools during the Fall season.  While the Spring spawn is the best time to catch a trophy bass, the Fall is a close runner up.  I have caught my personal best northern largemouth bass in mid-October.  That fish was just under 8 pounds.

The Fall Bass Season

What changes in our lakes for the Fall?  Obviously, the water temperature drops.  The Fall bass action begins as the water temperature drops into the upper 60 degree range.  It usually wanes as the water gets below the 50s.  It is a great idea to use a thermometer to check water temperatures.

Here are the implications of the water temperature change.

• Weeds and weed beds will start to die. As weed beds die, algae and leaves start to decay and lower oxygen levels.  This drives bass out of these coverage areas.  Dying weeds appear as brown or black and are often mushy in appearance.
• Not all weeds will die in the Fall and these can be extraordinarily successful areas to target for bass.   Milfoil and Lilly pads are hardy weeds in colder waters and will be green in appearance.  It is best to start targeting the inner weed edges on warmer days and the outer edges when colder weather arrives.  If you find fish on the inner weed edge they are typically more actively feeding.
• Bass become more active as the water cools as they look to put on weight prior to the Winter slow down.
• Bass tend to school in certain areas rather than be spread out in lakes
• Some lakes have a “turnover” cycle where the water will turn pea green for a while due to algae die offs. This is not an appropriate time to fish, but once the water starts to clear, the bass will be biting.

Fall Bass Baits and Tactics

As mentioned above, where weeds and weed beds that are still healthy can be useful targets for bass fishing.  Other key areas to try are docks any points or rocky areas especially when these shallow areas are close to deep water drop offs.   Our article How to Find a Good Fishing Spot highlights locating these productive areas.

Great fall lures and baits for bass fishing include:

• Jerkbaits – Soft plastic baits such as Zoom Superfluke or Berkley Power Jerk Shad worked in a slow to medium deliberate jerk/pause retrieve are highly effective. You can tailor the speed of the retrieve to the water temperature (colder=slower).

• Suspending crank baits – Crank baits can be used in a similar fashion as the jerkbaits with a jerk/pause retrieve.  The Rapala Xrap is a good example of this lure.
• Inline spinners – Spinners with large French or Colorado blades such as Mepps, also can be top performers in the Fall. You can fish these at various depths and speeds by varying the retrieve.  As the water cools below 60 a slow, barely spinning retrieve works best.

• Live minnows – Bass often target minnows as the fall is an exciting time to use them to catch large trophy bass. You can use either a J hook or Circle Hook depending upon your preference.  Our article Fish Hooks for Live Bait can help you decide which is best.  If you want to use minnows with a float, our article on Float Fishing Tactics can help.

Summary