Page 10 - Lady Bass Digital Magazine Classic 2023

Six Baits to Consider for Fall Fishing

As with most things in fishing, the answers to your ques- The next bait consideration is a jerk bait in shad pattern.
tions depend on who you ask. Deciding on which baits to That’s right! It is not just a early spring or cold water pre-
tie on for the fall bite also depend on who you ask. For this sentation. This presentation mimics an injured bait fish
article, we are going to look at six moving baits an angler from the bass slashing through the balls of bait fish. Once
should consider. again, match the hatch with the bait worked constantly
and erratically in a smaller profile. This is a reaction bite!
Two important things to consider in the fall are why the
bass are moving shallow and how to target them. One
word to a degree answers both considerations. BAITFISH!
Bass are moving shallow because the bait is moving shal-
low. The more closely an angler can mimic the bait the
better the chances of having a successful outing.

Let’s start with the surface of the water. The types of baits
an angler selects her depends on skill and comfort level. As we move away from the surface of the water the options
While we said six baits in the title, we are going to fudge of presentations an angler has can be expanded while still
on that a little in this section. What is consistent is that using the match the hatch mentality. For this, a lip-less
all of the top water baits is that all are moving baits. Buzz- crank-bait in 1/4 to 1/2 ounce sizes are optimum. This is
baits, ploppers, popping baits, buzzbaits, frogs, and prop one of the best imaginable baits for fall bass fishing. This
baits are all applicable here. Also consider downsizing to bait can be used to cover a lot of water, and is one of the
get more bites. most versatile baits and easy to fish at different depths. An
angler can be fished as a chunk and wind, using a yo-yo
All of these top water options can be productive, but a retrieve, and or letting it flutter down toward the bottom
downsized buzzbait that has a quiet crisp purr can be before ripping it up to trigger a reaction strike.
enough to get the attention of the bass without being
overly aggressive. This is also a characteristic of a prop
bait, but it allows an angler to use intermittent pauses to
lure bass into biting. Remember or consider that fishing in
the fall can be tough because you are competing with the
millions of bait fish
that are flooding the
shallow pockets and
flats. Your presentation
has to blend in and yet
be different enough to Another versatile option that is synonymous with fall
get bass to bite. fishing is a spinner bait. Sizes can be as small as 1/4 ounce,
a 3/8 ounce or even a 1/2 ounce. In any of these sizes
Another consideration is a walking style bait that you can the blade combinations can be double willow, willow/
cast down the middle of the gut of the pocket. A lot of Colorado or in some cases maybe even multiple smaller
times the bait concentrates itself in the deeper sections willow leaf blades. Consider the smaller sizes if the shad
during the cooler nights and then transitioning up to the are smaller. A spinner bait
shallows and can be a simple chunk and
flats throughout wind, but by adding an
the day. Bone erratic pumping action, or
or white is an pausing and letting it flutter
optimum color down through the bait-balls
in the fall. can make it stand out while
blending in at the same

10 Lady Bass Anglers Association
Six Baits to Consider for Fall Fishing