Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 11/8/08: Fall Fishing Tips and Tactics

Fishing for bass in the fall can be difficult because of the transition of the fish from their summer haunts to either shallower or deeper waters. The key to where to locate fish during this period is to note the weather changes as well as where the baitfish are.

During a gradual cooling trend, bass will migrate with the forage such as shad. They will generally seek the areas that these baitfish migrate to such as shallow flats from 4 to 8 feet deep. These flats should be close to deep water since the fish will respond to severe cold fronts and migrate to deeper water. Lures such as crankbaits in the shad patterns, worms and jerkbaits can be the ticket on catching these fish. Work the crankbait so it "ticks" the bottom unless you are working vegetation. If the lake is loaded with hydrilla, work a rattletrap and rip it through the stalks of the scattered stuff. Work the worms slow and methodically and try both a Texas rig as well as the Carolina rig. Jerkbaits both hard and soft should be worked in a jerk-pause motion.

If a sudden front plummets the temperature, work the drops or deeper water just off the drops. Use a deep diving crank with a steady retrieve or slow worm a Carolina rig.

Look for fish busting the top! If this is happening, launch a prop topwater like a Devils Horse or Boy Howdy and work it hard. If the fish sound, work the area with a Rattletrap and worm.

So the next time your out on the lake during the fall season, give these tactics a try and you'll surely do more catching with less fishing!

Largemouth Herald