By Jacob Stephens
Finally, Fall is here!!! This is my favorite time of year to be on the water. Not only are the lakes less crowded, it’s a welcomed relief from the hot temps of Summer. Fall is also a great time to land some nice Bass. I’ve put together a list of some of my go-to Fall baits that help me have a successful day on the water.
- Dropshot.
This is something I keep on the deck of my boat year-round. I may fish it differently or use different plastics during the year, but it’s always nearby. One thing that stays the same, though, is how it’s rigged. I use a 2/0 Spearpoint GP Finesse hook and a RattleShot weight from Drop Zone Tackle. These hooks are amazing at keeping fish hooked up and the rattling weight helps get the attention of fish, especially in stained or muddy water. As for the plastics, I generally use a smaller soft plastic with a dropshot. I’ll either have a Missile Baits Quiver 4.5 or a Missile Baits 4” Mini Magic Worm rigged up with a little extra scent from ProLine Baits Bass Series scent. I have had great success with both, so I normally end up switching between those 2 and let the fish tell me which one they prefer.
- 2. Crawfish Baits
- It’s no secret that Bass love Crawfish. Many people will throw a jig in the Fall, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I’m not a big Jig Fisherman. I’ve caught some nice fish using Jigs, I just don’t like fishing them. So, what works for me, is a Missile Baits Chunky D rigged on a Rattle Rig from Drop Zone Tackle. The Rattle Rig is a Jika Rig made with the same rattling weight as the RattleShot. I love throwing this bait onto a rocky point or rocky bank and slowly dragging it back to the boat. If I feel the lure bump any type of structure, I’ll give it a couple short hops which makes the weight rattle while keeping the bait close to the structure.
3. Wacky Rig
Probably one of the most simple, but effective lures to use is a Wacky Rigged Senko. It’s no secret that this lure catches fish, so it’s no surprise that it’s on my Fall baits list. Early fall can still be pretty warm here in Virginia. With that, I’ve had good luck pulling bass out from under docks on warmer, sunny days. I’ll also throw it near stumps, rocks, or laydowns in case the bass want a slower presentation. This is also a great follow-up bait if you miss a fish on topwater, or see Bass chasing shad near the surface. I almost always use a Gary Yamamoto Senko and a 2/0 Spearpoint GP Finesse hook. I also like to add some Bass Series scent from ProLine Baits to help get the Bass’ attention.
4. Crankbaits
Everyone has a favorite brand or style of crankbait. I love the SPRO Little John series cranks. This bait is great for covering lots of water and I’ve caught some very nice Bass in the Fall and thru mid-Winter on a crankbait. I’ll throw my crankbait just about anywhere on the lake, but main lake points and banks have been the best for me. If I see baitfish in the backs of creeks, you can bet I’m going to head back and fish there, but Main Lake areas have been the most productive for me. There is also the option of a Lipless Crankbait. This is another lure that I know works, and I’ll throw it at times, but I’d much rather throw a regular crankbait that dives anywhere from 7-12’.
5. Swimbait
This is a lure that I just gained confidence in about a year ago. Before then, I’d thrown some, but never really felt comfortable using them. I decided to give it another try and I’ve caught some nice Bass since then. I still can’t get into the really big swimbaits, but maybe one day I’ll get there. For now, my favorite swimbait is a Keitech Swing Impact Fat 3.3”. I’ll sometimes step up to a 3.8” version but I’ve had much better luck with the 3.3”. I rig mine a little differently than most people that I’ve seen. I do not like an exposed hook. I wanted something I could throw around/under docks, beside or over top of brushpiles/laydowns, and around rocks as well. I started using a 1/8 oz. Bullet Type head with a 1/0 hook. Some may think that hook is too small, but I’ve only had 1 fail me, and that was the biggest Striper I’ve ever hooked. Using this type head, I can rig the swimbait like you would a Texas rigged plastic. This keeps the point of the hook covered so I’ve rarely had this get hung up. I also add a little Bass Series scent from ProLine Baits to get the attention of Bass that may not be exactly where I cast. This swimbait is also a great trailer for Chatterbaits and Spinnerbaits. If there is a lot of wind or moving water, I’ll step up to a 3/16 oz. head and usually the larger 3.8” swimbait. Occasionally, I’ll use a swimbait head with an underspin, especially on windy days (My first cast with this setup landed me a check for Big Fish in a kayak tournament a couple years ago). I’ve had most success using this towards the end of Fall, all the way thru early Spring.
While the fishing can be outstanding in the Fall (probably my favorite time of year to fish), be mindful of the cooler temps. Mornings are usually foggy due to chilly air and warmer waters. Also be aware of cool days and cooler water temps later in the Fall. Keep extra clothes on hand (I keep a dry bag in my boat year-round). You never know when you may go for an accidental swim so you have to be prepared.
And of course, wear your PFD!!!
