Fall Fishing Techniques

Fall is here and most of the US is starting to realize those cool nights and shorter days. Lower temps and less sun exposure cause water temps to drop. Cooler water with make the bass perk up and moving out of their summer haunts. Let’s take a quick look at a few techniques that work well for fall bass fishing!

Jake Whitaker – Elite Series Pro

“For me, fall is all about finding bait. As you move into the back of creeks, I’ll use a search bait like a buzzbait to cover water looking for bait. After I find bait, I love a 1.5 square bill. Bait is usually smaller in the fall and the square bill is the perfect match for bass feeding on small bait in shallow water. My typical square bill set up is an IKOS Hustler on a 7.3:1 reel with 12# fluorocarbon.”

Trent Palmer – 2020 All-American, Owner SonarPros - www.sonarproselectronics.com

“Bait is usually smaller in the fall, so I like to target brush and structure with a ball head style jig paired with a plastic that imitates shad. Something like a FIVE Bass 2.8 TailTeaser. I always use a spinning set up. My rod of choice is the ENOX Wizard or ZOLO Maestro. I prefer the little longer length with the Wizard and the full contact reel seat is really comfortable and helps me feel lighter bites. I'll run this with straight fluorocarbon line.”

Brett Mitchell – Santee Cooper Lakes Guide – fishingwithbrett.com   

“On lowland reservoirs, the fish have a period in the fall where they move up almost like they do in the spawn. I’ll focus on standing timber and hard cover like docks that are close to creek channels. My go to technique is a FIVE BASS Sway Stick wacky rigged cast against trees. Be sure to hit the tree and let the bait fall. Tip – if you aren’t getting hung up some, you aren’t where the fish will be! I will rig it both casting and spinning. I like shorter rods since I’m getting under trees – ZOLO Mitch for casting and ZOLO SpinSkip for spinning. I always use braid with a heavy fluorocarbon leader as well.”

Alex of ALX Rods

“This is the time of year I love a buzzbait. Fish are scattered and I can drop the trolling motor, cover water, and find quality bites. I use 1/2oz in both single and double blades. Single blades to parallel the bank or around docks and double blades for open water. I can make a single blade blade run the bank better or bump along dock pilings. Sometimes bumping those pilings will really set a fish off! My main buzzbait set up is an 8:1 reel and a ZOLO Toadface. Buzzbaits have a lot of hook to set, so I like that extra power from the backend of the Toadface. I’ll also use an IKOS Promise 73 or an OXIM Factor the same high-speed reel.”