Bass Fishing Tip of the Week 11/16/09: Cool Weather Fall Patterns

As fall sets in migrating baitfish such as shad head towards the shallower waters. Not far behind, their largest predator the largemouth bass go along for the ride.

During the early fall months in Florida the water temperatures moderate to the low to mid 70's F which are the ideal temperatures for the bass. The cooler water temperatures stimulate the bass to feed at most any hour of the day. This gives even the beginning angler a greater chance for a successful outing.

The largemouth will relate to shallower cover most often from 8 foot and shallower. A Texas rigged worm can be very effective working the 8 foot flat near a drop or working cover such as wood, pads, reeds or grass.

The soft jerkbait such as a Zoom Fluke in grass or pad pockets can work wonders as the shad often migrate in and out of this type of cover. A typical jerk jerk presentation can be good, but often a jerk jerk and pause in a pocket in the cover will really entice a strike.

Flippin can also be great especially after a cold/cool front moves through. Look for the thickest mats with emergent cover coming up through it and flip that intersection thoroughly. Work the lure up and down once through the mat if you don't get a hit on the initial fall.

Give these cooler water fall patterns and you maybe quite surprised at the tight lines you get:)

The Largemouth Herald